Newlywed couple enjoys a unique honeymoon experience a la ‘Squid Game’

What does a “perfect honeymoon” entail? For most couples, it’s spending a whole week in a tropical paradise lying under the shade of coconut trees while taking in the salty scent of the sea. For some, it’s flying to their favorite international destination and seeing it in a new light—through an exploration of new sights, flavors, and experiences now as a husband and wife.

For lovebirds Eric and Michelle, however, they chose a rather unusual way to celebrate their first few days as Mr. and Mrs.—by wearing their player bracelets and trying to “kill” each other at the Squid Game: The Experience in Seoul, South Korea. The Experience was a pop-up activation complete with fun and interactive group activities inspired by the hit Netflix thriller drama. No blood was shed between them, thankfully! But the couple did bring their competitive spirits to the games.

Newlyweds Eric and Michelle have been married for exactly two days when they partook in the games, an opportunity they initially didn’t expect to find themselves in for their honeymoon.

The couple flew to the land of K-dramas as two of the 10 lucky new subscribers who had won PLDT Home’s Trip to Korea promo. The promo was a partnership between the country’s digital services provider, PLDT Home, and global streaming platform Netflix—one of the many perks and rewards you get to enjoy when you become a PLDT Home subscriber.

“Sobrang cool and surreal dahil, syempre, napapanood lang naming siya [Squid Game] dati,” Eric says about the experience. “We’re super happy na na-experience namin ‘yun here in Korea.” 

As both fans of the show, the couple was extremely thrilled as they entered the Squid Game arena, armed with the determination to win against each other. “We went in thinking na we’re playing individual talaga,” Michelle recalls, adding how they intentionally joined opposing teams as needed. “Competitive kami—for real,” she says. 

For the whole 90-minute immersive adventure, the pair were at war, trying to best each other, as well as their other “opponents,” in seven Squid Game-inspired battlegrounds.

When asked what their favorite stages were, Eric shares how he enjoyed the “memory game,” a game resembling the “Glass Stepping Stones” zone in the drama. Michelle, on the other hand, picks out the “treasure hunt” game, set in what we can all remember from the show as the neighborhood-like maze where the characters played “gongginori.” In this game, despite the two of them playing rivals, they had a moment of camaraderie that feels similar to a romantic K-drama moment! 

While looking for the shape they have to tap in, Michelle discovered one placed at a higher part of a wall. “He’s tall, so I leveraged him,” she relates. “When I looked up, I saw one [of the shapes] and I said ‘Beb, carry me!’ So binuhat niya talaga ako!”

This sweet gesture earned Michelle extra points, of course, and as the games progressed, so did their ranking. In the end, while neither was able to compete in the final round, the wife placed 10th on the scoreboard, beating her husband, who finished 12th. “[She won] because of the points do’n sa pagbuhat ko sa kaniya,” the man teases. Meanwhile, she rebuts. “Sabi ko nga, my win is your win, too,” the wife lovingly smiles.

“Happy siya, happy rin ako. So happy lahat,” Eric agrees.

As fate would have it, the trip was coincidentally scheduled a day after they tied the knot, which is the day that they first met, exactly 10 years ago. And so, after an intimate wedding with only their family and closest friends as witnesses to their nuptials, they swiftly packed their bags and eagerly headed to the airport for this special honeymoon experience.

Eric and Michelle, plus the rest of PLDT Home’s promo winners, were also treated to many more activities besides playing in the Squid Game: The Experience. Among the trip’s highlights was a romantic dinner at the famed rotating restaurant with a view, N Grill, located in N Seoul Tower. They were also spotted donning traditional Hanbok while walking around Changdeokgung Palace, roaming around hip and trendy pop-ups in Seongsu, and marveling at the stacks of books at Michelle’s must-visit spot, the Starfield Library in COEX.

Truly, it was a honeymoon that’s one for the books!

Enjoy more unli entertainment and stream Squid Game Season 3 only with PLDT Home Fiber Netflix, the most value-packed internet and entertainment plan with a complimentary Netflix Basic subscription.

“Experience” Squid Game right in the Philippines when you apply for a PLDT Home Fiber Netflix plan at any of the following PLDT stores: SM North EDSA, SM Megamall, SM Southmall, SM Lipa, SM Baguio, SM Seaside Cebu, and Abreeza Mall Davao. Enjoy a set of Squid Game-inspired games, gimmicks, and prizes at every store visit!

***

Editor's note: This article was provided by PLDT Home.