Back in 2021, the Netflix survival drama Squid Game captivated viewers with its commentary on capitalism through a competition comprised of deadly children’s games. The Korean show became a popular series for its display of gore and disturbing nature in the U.S. and other countries, transcending cultural barriers. The instant hit of the first season sparked one question: Will there be a Season 2?
Though the survival drama was a display of alarming commentary on what individuals with financial hardships would go to, the collection of games behind the competition created a wave of fans yearning to recreate the intense contest. So much so that an American reality version called Squid Game: The Challenge dropped on Netflix on Nov. 22. This reality show consisted of 456 players competing in Squid Game-inspired games for a chance to win a grand prize of $4.56 million. Squid Game: The Challenge was initially met with conflicting emotions from viewers, but the new series has reignited the love for the original show and has fans itching to find out where Squid Game’s Seong Gi-hun’s story goes. Season 2 of Squid Game has officially been green-lit (IYKYK) — here is everything you need to know about the upcoming season.
Netflix revealed a first look at ‘squid game’ Season 2
On Feb. 1, Netflix dropped its 2024 sizzle reel — and let’s just say that we have a lot to look forward to this year. In addition to bits of footage from new TV shows and movies, the streamer also gave a preview of hit shows returning for new seasons and Squid Game was one of them.
Netflix showed a short amount of footage from Season 2 but it was just enough to get us fans excited for what’s to come in the popular series. It showed Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) after winning the brutal competition. While walking, he gets a phone call from someone who says, “You’ll regret the choices you made.” The clip then shows Seong Gi-hun telling the person on the phone, “I will find you.” Oh, the suspense!
‘Squid Game’s Release Date
On June 12, 2022, Netflix announced Squid Game Season 2 had been officially confirmed. Though there has yet to be an official release date, production is currently underway. The first table read took place in June 2023, so the second season likely won’t come out until later this year.
‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Cast
With the high stakes of Season 1, we lost a lot of fan favorites in the games (I miss you, Kang Sae-byeok). Though many cast members aren’t returning for Season 2, fans will be reunited with main character Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), aka Player 456, as well as the Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun), Gong Yoo, and Hwang Jun Ho (played by Wi Ha-joon).
On June 17, Netflix announced that four new cast members will be joining the deadly games: Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon, and Yang Dong-geun. The full cast list was revealed on June 29, which includes other newcomers Jo Yu-ri, Park Gyu-young, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-uk, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, and Won Ji-an.
‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Plot
ICYMI, the first season of Squid Game was filled with intense, mind-warping drama. If you need a little refresher, I got your back. Individuals living in poverty are offered a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to gamble their lives away (both figuratively and literally) in a series of games with the final prize being a whopping 45.6 billion Won, equivalent to $4.56 million. To win the money, the contestants must go through a series of childhood favorite games like Tug Of War and Red Light, Green Light. The catch? If you lose, you die. The game isn’t over until one player is left standing.
The first season ended with player 456, Seong Gi-hun, winning the prize money. After surviving the games, Gi-hun thought he was finally free until he saw the recruiter and realized the game wasn’t over. Season 2 will continue his story and his trek to take down the people behind the deadly games. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in August 2022, writer and director Hwang Dong-hyukn explained, “I can’t share any details yet, but you know that Seong Gi-hun has become a totally new person by the end of season one, so season two is going to be about what that new Gi-hun is going to do and how things will unfold with this new kind of character.”
In the Season 2 announcement, Dong-hyukn also teased that the new season will feature a whole new set of games. If you’re still having nightmares of the killer doll Young-hee, I have some bad news. Young-hee is out of the picture, but her boyfriend Cheol-su will be taking over.
Specifics surrounding the plot have yet to be released, but if it’s anything like the first season, it will be binge-worthy, twisted, and eye-opening. In the meantime, fans will have to fill the void by streaming Squid Game: The Challenge or rewatching Season 1 of Squid Game.