The Squid Game effect as sales of Vans slip-ons rocket by 7,800%
The series has captivated audiences across the world becoming the number one Netflix show in more than 90 countries with sales of the 'triple white' shoe as featured in the series booming.
Hit South Korean show "Squid Game" has officially become Netflix's biggest original series launch, the streaming service confirmed.
The nine-part thriller, in which cash-strapped contestants play childhood games with deadly consequences in a bid to win 45.6 billion won ($38 million), has become a worldwide sensation for Netflix since its launch less than a month ago.
The dystopian drama has inspired countless memes, Halloween costumes of the ubiquitous green tracksuits worn by contestants and real world recreations of the various games. It has also sparked a debate within South Korea about toxic competitive societies and prompted new interest in the country's culture and language around the world.
"Squid Game has officially reached 111 million fans — making it our biggest series launch ever!" Netflix posted on Twitter.
The series reached that total in just 27 days, since its release on Sept. 17, easily outpacing U.K. costume drama "Bridgerton", which was streamed by 82 million accounts in its first 28 days.
"Didn't see it coming"
Netflix co-CEO and Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos told a tech conference in California last month that the streaming service was surprised by how popular "Squid Game" has become. "We did not see that coming, in terms of its global popularity," he said.
Vans sales rocket
Vans may not have seen it coming but interest in the show has seen a boom in sales of the white classic slip-on with reports suggesting that sales of the iconic show surging by 7,800% as fans around the world look to mimic the style of the contestants with many retail outlets across the world selling out of this particular colourway of the classic slip-on shoe.