It became an unprecedented hit for a non-English drama, sweeping awards at major ceremonies. Protagonist Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) vows revenge at the end of Season 1, hinting at an intriguing setup for Season 2.
Set three years after Season 1, Season 2 follows Gi-hun as he reenters the mysterious game, now with a burning desire for revenge and a mission to end it. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed that viewers will no longer see Gi-hun as the naive, clumsy player from Season 1. This time, he’ll face off on equal terms with the Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun), presenting a narrative of revenge and resistance.
While Gi-hun initially joined the game out of financial desperation, his new goal is not about winning money but dismantling the game’s unjust system and confronting its creators. Director Hwang shared “Gi-hun will actively use what he learned from the previous season”, explaining that his motivations for returning are central to Season 2’s storyline. Gi-hun will even warn other players “If we go on like this, we’ll all die”, doing everything he can to save them.
Season 2 intensifies the tension between Gi-hun and the Front Man. Recently released teaser photos show Gi-hun and the Front Man confronting each other, with participants and pink guards lined up behind them. This foreshadows a fierce battle over the nature of the game, with Gi-hun now standing as an equal adversary. The Front Man will also reportedly participate in the game himself, adding depth to the plot. In the teaser, the Front Man is shown wearing the player’s tracksuit, indicating his direct involvement in the games.
Director Hwang also hinted at new games in Season 2. Having already scoured traditional Korean games for Season 1, he admitted that finding new ones was challenging. However, he maintained his principle of using “the simplest rules to elicit the most complex emotions”, suggesting that these new games will evoke deeper feelings and amplify the Gi-hun-Front Man rivalry.
The addition of new characters and actors further elevates anticipation. Returning cast members Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-joon and Gong Yoo are joined by newcomers Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-wook and Park Sung-hoon. In a recent interview, Wi Ha-joon shared “The new characters have strong narratives, and the scale of the game has grown significantly”, promising an even more dynamic and intense viewing experience. He noted the addition of grander scenes and more intricate emotional storylines in Season 2.
The teaser video intensifies excitement for Season 2 by showing Gi-hun jolted awake by an alarm, opening the front door only to have a gun pointed at him, and rejoining the game with his old player number “456”. The phrase “The game isn’t over yet” in the teaser suggests unresolved conflict and the start of a new revenge saga.
Director Hwang, reflecting on Squid Game’s global success, acknowledged that while it has set a high bar, Season 2 represents an even bigger challenge. Despite the pressure, he expressed a commitment to giving back to fans worldwide.
The question remains: will “Squid Game” Season 2, set for release on Dec 26th, live up to expectations with its complex storyline, new games and themes of vengeance? Fans are eagerly awaiting this richly layered continuation of the series.
Source: Wikitree
