NETFLIX survival drama Squid Game has been a trending online, which has captivated global audiences since its September debut and is now Netflix’s biggest hit ever.
Squid Game is a mini series about desperate adults competing in deadly children’s games for a chance to escape severe debt.
Within a week of its release, it became one of Netflix's most-watched programs in several regional markets; within its first 28 days of release, it attracted more than 111 million viewers, surpassing Bridgerton as the network's most-watched show.
The show's success can be factored in with its plot, casting, and not to mention the set design and its costume.
A group of mountaineers in Davao City was inspired by the show that they took their hiking to the next level --- flexed their jumpsuit inspired by the hit show upon reaching the summit of Mt. Apo.
Irene Joy Abequibel told SunStar Davao in an online interview that the photo was taken early in the morning on October 3.
A day before, Abequibel along with her six former workmates (five girls and a male) started their journey towards the highest mountain in the country.
Being a group who is fond of hiking, she said climbing Mt. Apo was part of their bucketlist.
Abequibel said this was their longtime plan, which had been postponed several times due to the Covid-19 pandemic, and the rehabilitation of Apo.
When their planned hiking was going to push through, she had thought of a "pakulo" a week before, and that is to wear the famous pink jumpsuit from the hit series.
"Since it is trending Korean series, I thought that we would be wearing it just for fun since it is a once in a lifetime climb. So we made it extra memorable," she said.
As they say, "if there's a will, there's a way. Because it was an abrupt decision, Abequibel said they personally spend those costumes to a tailor considering that the costumes online are more costly and would take days or weeks to arrive.
Their photos trended online, which they never expected. But she clarified that they didn't wear the suit all throughout their hike.
Admittedly, not all of the gang had watched the series. Abequibel also admitted that she has yet to finish the series.
She had already watched some KDramas, but not as die hard unlike others. In the case of Squid Game, she was enticed to watch the series considering its massive hype in social media.
"I was persuaded to watch the Squid Game... What makes it unique because of the learnings that it imparts," she said. "One of them is that money can't buy everything. It is even the root of evil. There are dire consequences because of money. You also have to sacrifice
Just like the players of Squid Game, Abequibel said their hiking experience wasn't as easy as they thought it would be.
"Climbing, just like our daily lives, is not that easy. There are struggles and sacrifices. But at the end of the day, once you reach the summit, it's all worth it. You would realize how blessed you are," she shared.
As a nature lover, she hopes that hikers would be mindful of their surroundings, and segregate their trash.