Ready to see the scariest game of Red Light Green Light again? The monster hit series Squid Game is finally returning with a second season. The Netflix series from South Korea became a viral sensation, becoming one of the most-watched shows ever on the popular streaming platform.
Audiences everywhere were hooked by writer/director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s concept, showing ordinary people competing in simple children’s games for a cash prize that could change their lives forever. Every loser pays the ultimate price and is killed by the pink-suited masked soldiers who oversee the games.
Season 1’s success was immense, even though it had almost no marketing before its 2021 release. During the pandemic, Squid Game quickly gained attention through word-of-mouth. It spread fast with memes, YouTube videos, and even a reality show. With Parasite also winning Oscars, South Korea is leading a global storytelling wave.
The announcement of Season 2 was expected, and Netflix finally shared details at the TUDUM fan event. Here’s what we know about the upcoming season’s cast, trailer, streaming status, and more.
Release Date
Squid Game Season 2 will air in 2024, with all episodes dropping on Netflix on Thursday, December 26th. The third and final season will premiere in 2025.
Where to Watch
Season 2 will be exclusively available on Netflix, where Season 1 was a huge success. Netflix has had some delays due to the Writer’s Strike, affecting other shows like Stranger Things and Cobra Kai. However, the platform has upcoming projects like the third season of The Witcher and a live-action One Piece adaptation.
Trailer Information
No full trailer is out yet, but Netflix shared a cast announcement trailer at the TUDUM event. It shows some familiar faces and many new ones. A brief sneak peek from February 2024 includes Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) at an airport, receiving a mysterious warning.
A new footage clip features a normal race turning into a deadly survival game and the infamous Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) inviting viewers to play the game again, revealing the December 2024 Season 2 date and confirming Season 3.
Cast Details
Despite many central characters from Season 1 dying, there are returning and new cast members. Seong Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, returns. Lee Jung-jae has gained popularity in South Korea and recently joined the Star Wars universe with The Acolyte.
Lee Byung-hun is back as the Front Man, and Wi Ha-Joon returns as detective Hwang Jun-ho. Gong Yoo also returns as the mysterious salesman. New cast members include Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon, and Yang Dong-geun, with more announced later.
Season 1 Recap
Seong Gi-hun, a father with gambling issues, is offered a chance to win cash by playing games. He finds himself in a deadly version of Red Light Green Light. The winner gets 45.6 billion Won, around 38 million U.S. dollars. Contestants, all in financial trouble, agree to continue despite the danger.
As more people die, the last two standing are Seong Gi-hun and Cho Sang-woo. Gi-hun kills his friend and learns that the old man he befriended, Oh Il-nam, was behind the games.
Gi-hun vows to end the games. Detective Hwang Jun-ho infiltrates the island, discovering that the Front Man is his missing brother, and is shot, leaving his fate uncertain.
Production Info
Season 2 will be written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, who promises it will be bigger and better. Filming began in Summer 2023, and while the wait has been long, the final season will come sooner.
Season 3 Update
Season 3, which will be the final season, is set for 2025. Hwang Dong-hyuk’s emotional letter reveals that the story continues with Seong Gi-hun returning to the game for revenge. The final season will bring a fierce clash between Gi-hun and the Front Man.
Additional Content
Squid Game has inspired a reality show, Squid Game: The Challenge, where contestants play the games (without dying) for a cash prize. The show, despite some controversy, has been renewed for a second season.
