It’s December, and you know what that means: Christmas is just around the corner, but so is something even more chilling. On 26 December 2024, the global phenomenon Squid Game will return to Netflix for its highly anticipated second season!
Whether you’re one of the millions of fans anxiously awaiting the return of this brutal battle for survival and fortune or just a casual Netflix binge-watcher, here’s everything we know so far about Squid Game 2 to keep you hooked and ready for its premiere.
The first season of Squid Game took the world by storm in 2021, quickly becoming Netflix’s most-watched show in 94 countries. With a whopping 1.65B hours watched within its first month, this survival drama has captivated fans with its deadly mix of dark childhood games and shocking twists.
It’s been more than 3 years since the first season, so here’s a TL;DR for those who need a little recap. Spoilers ahead!
We all remember the iconic scene where the protagonist, Seong Gi-hun, plays ddakji—a traditional South Korean game with paper tiles—against a mysterious salesperson at a subway station. Yes, the scene with all the slapping.
Soon after, Gi-hun is invited to a remote island, where he competes in a series of childhood games—like Red Light, Green Light, tug-of-war, and more—against 455 other cash-strapped contestants, all vying for a 45.6B won prize. What seems like harmless fun quickly turns deadly, as the contestants learn that losing a game means instant death.
A series of betrayals and alliances unfold as the contestants fight for survival. Other notable characters include Kang Sae-byeok, a North Korean woman fighting to get her family across the border, Cho Sang-woo, a failed businessman and Gi-hun’s childhood friend, and Oh Il-nam, an elderly man with a brain tumour.
L-R: The Front Man, Hwang Jun-ho
Throughout the series, we see several masked men overseeing the games. While all of them don identical pink tracksuits and are indistinguishable from each other, one stands out.
Hwang Jun-ho is revealed to have stolen the identity of one of the masked men and infiltrated the ghastly Squid Game in search of his missing brother, Hwang In-ho. He later discovers that his brother is, in fact, the Front Man—the mysterious overseer of the game. In a tragic twist, Jun-ho is shot by his own brother at the end of season 1.
Another shocking revelation is that Il-nam is the mastermind behind the grotesque games. Bored with his wealth, he created Squid Game as a twisted form of entertainment for other rich elites, based on childhood games he once played.
Gi-hun emerges as the winner, using his prize money to help Sae-byeok and Sang-woo’s families. However, just as he’s about to board a plane to reunite with his daughter in the U.S., he encounters the mysterious salesperson from the subway station again. The salesperson drops a card with a phone number, and Gi-hun calls it. Instead of getting on the plane, he turns back, determined to uncover the truth behind the game. And that’s where Season 1 ends.
Ever since the cliffhanger ending of season 1, many fans have been eagerly speculating about what will happen in Squid Game 2. Theories have been circulating, with many wondering how the story will unfold next.
A few months back, Netflix released an official synopsis, that reads:
“Three years after winning Squid Game, Gi-hun remains determined to find the people behind the game and put an end to their vicious sport. Using this fortune to fund his search, Gi-hun starts with the most obvious of places: look for the man in a sharp suit playing ddakji in the subway. But when his efforts finally yield results, the path toward taking down the organisation proves to be deadlier than he imagined: to end the game, he needs to re-enter it.”
Fans can expect Gi-hun to return to the game with one goal: to end it once and for all. Having survived the deadly competition prior, we see Gi-hun trying to help other new contestants survive in the trailers. However, with the Front Man aware of Gi-Hun’s intentions, it’s clear that the new season will feature even more terrifying and deadly twists than before.
We’re sure you remember Young-hee, the eerie motion-sensing doll from Red Light, Green Light. Yes, she’ll be making a comeback this season. That’s not all. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk has also teased the introduction of Cheol-su, Young-hee’s boyfriend. We don’t know about you, but the addition of Cheol-su is already sending shivers down our spines—especially since it might mean even more bloodshed. Who knows what these 2 are capable of?
Also read:
As the only contestant who survived the Squid Game 3 years ago, actor Lee Jung-jae will be back to reprise his role as Gi-hun. As one of the most successful actors in South Korea, we can’t wait to see what he has prepared for his return to the role.
Also, RIP to the contestants of season 1.
L-R: Lee Byung-hun as Hwang In-ho, Wi Ha-joon as Hwang Jun-ho
Highly acclaimed actor Lee Byung-hun will also return to his role as In-ho, AKA the Front Man. Joining him is current K-drama heartthrob Wi Ha-joon, who will revive his character Jun-ho—who was shot in the first season.
L-R: Im Si-wan as Lee Myung-gi, Kang Ha-neul as Dae-ho
Of course, more contestants are needed for the games to begin. Squid Game 2 will welcome fan-favourite actor and ZE:A member Im Si-wan, who will play Lee Myung-gi, a former YouTuber who falls victim to a cryptocurrency scam. He’ll be joined by Jo Yu-ri, who plays Kim Jun-hee, his ex-girlfriend in the series.
K-drama fans will also be glad to know that Kang Ha-neul will also be joining Squid Game 2’s star-studded cast. Known for his roles in dramas like The Heirs and Moon Lovers: Scarlett Heart Ryeo, Ha-neul will take on the role of Dae-ho, a former marine.
Other familiar faces rounding out the cast include actress Park Gyu-young, known for her roles in Sweet Home and Celebrity, Park Sung-hoon who is famous for his villainous characters in The Glory and Queen of Tears, and Choi Seung-hyun, also known as T.O.P, from iconic K-pop group Big Bang.
Also read:
Yes, you read that right. Prior to its release on 26 December, Squid Game 2 has already received a Golden Globes nomination for Best Television Series.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), which oversees the Golden Globes, requires shows to submit episodes for consideration by a specific cutoff date. To meet this deadline, Netflix provided HFPA voters with early access to all 7 episodes of Squid Game 2.
The first season of Squid Game received 3 Golden Globes nominations in 2022, so we’re excited to how Squid Game 2 fares at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, which will take place on 6 January 2025.
Rather than leaving us wondering whether Squid Game will have another season after the second season, Netflix has already reassured fans by confirming that the series will return for a third and final season.
As Squid Game 2 hasn’t even been released yet, it’s hard to predict what’s in store for Season 3. However, Dong-hyuk has teased that “the fierce clash between Gi-hun and the Front Man’s two worlds will continue into the series finale with Season 3.”
They certainly know how to keep us on the edge of our seats.
If you’re looking for something to add to your festive to-do list, make sure to include “binge-watch Squid Game 2”. With the new season bringing fresh twists and thrilling suspense, it’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat. We are all hyped up for the release of Squid Game 2—so let the new games begin!
Also read:
Cover image: Source
"I can account for every cent of my expenses and income each month over the…
Please bring an extra luggage on your next BKK trip.
They have crystal beads that sparkle.
Arguably the wildest thing to happen to K-pop this year.
Fuss-free essentials for any men wanting to wear makeup.
Manifesting for 2025.