This dark and thought-provoking series from the very first episode has kept viewers glued to the screens, leaving them wanting to get some clarity when the deadly games are returning on Netflix with its much-awaited second season that has already been renewed and added to every binge-watcher’s radar. After all, there are millions of loyal fans from around the world who really want to know when the truth about masked guards in pink jumpsuits will be exposed to the world.
Especially after we got to know that Gi-hun ended the incoming call and returned to the terminal after he called the card’s number before boarding his plane, demanding to know who was running the games. This cliffhanger has left many questions unanswered, which will be quite mind-blowing to discover once we return to the thrilling world of Squid Game. So, if you too want to get some insight about the next chapter, then we urge the readers to keep on reading to uncover all the hidden secrets!
Here is everything we know so far about the potential release date of Squid Game Season 2.
Squid Game Season 2 Expected Release Date
We know it’s been a while since we got to see the first season of this South Korean survival drama television series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, which aired back on September 17, 2021. At that time, half of the world was struck within their homes because of the lockdown due to the pandemic, which allowed many Netflix subscribers to jump back into binge-watching many new shows on the streaming platform.
Due to this, the first season of Squid Game was able to benefit a lot and gather a lot of critical acclaim and international attention! It became Netflix’s most-watched series and the most-watched program in 94 countries, attracting more than 142 million member households and 1.65 billion viewing hours in its first four weeks, surpassing Bridgerton as the service’s most-watched show. As a result, it is quite understandable why the fans of the show are eager to get their hands on the highly anticipated second season.
With each passing month that has led us to the end of 2023 with just two months remaining, the topic of the potential release date of Squid Game Season 2 has once again been revived all over the web, and it has become a hot topic of interest by many, which is encouraging to see as it reflects that interest in the show hasn’t completely waned out despite the delay. Even though we can completely understand your curiosity to know more, unfortunately, we hate to break this news. But it’s important to clear the air by getting the facts right!
First of all, we want to confirm that Squid Game Season 2 will not be returning to Netflix in October 2023, let alone in the remaining two months of this year.
We know this is very disappointing because you’ve been on high alert to get some details about the release date, but when we consider that the cast and showrunners have recently gathered for the first table read of the second season, with the filming rumored to begin in July 2023. It clears up a lot of confusion about the fact that there is no doubt that this popular series will not be able to make its official return to the streaming platform this year. The filming will probably continue until the spring of 2024, assuming a 10-month production schedule will continue until later this year.
So, it’s quite impossible that Squid Game Season 2 will be released in the first half of 2024. However, if the series is still intended to premiere on Netflix next year, then it might be the year’s biggest Christmas release. Hence, it is reported to not be delayed any further and will be released sometime around mid to late 2024, if not earlier! We’ll just have to wait and see which direction the show creators are going forward with.
Likewise, we would want to emphasize that this is all guesswork at this time, and fans should keep an eye on it. In order to receive updates on when the new episodes premiere on Netflix, interested viewers can also enable notifications. In the meantime, check out the official renewal announcement as shared among its followers on Twitter, quoting, “On your marks. Get set. Greenlight. Squid Game continues, only on Netflix.#SquidGameS2.” Take a look at the official renewal announcement post as shared on Twitter with the fans below:
On your marks.
Get set.
Greenlight.
Squid Game continues, only on Netflix.#SquidGameS2 pic.twitter.com/spH30iRDO4— Squid Game #오징어게임 (@squidgame) June 12, 2022
Squid Game Season 2 Plot: Were any potential spoilers revealed?
Talking about the second season returning to the games to grace our television screens, executive producer Kim Ji-yeon told Netflix Tudum, “We are working on the script right now and making the form of the story.” Further adding to the statement, “But there’s definitely a lot of pressure on how to make [Season 2] even better. I know that a lot of the different fans and audiences have enjoyed the series very much, but really we’re focusing on how to make it even more joyful to the global audience.”
In a recent interview, when asked about any childhood games in particular that you would like to see incorporated in Squid Game Season 2, Oh Young-soo replied, “Well, for the games that were in season one, I remember playing them when I was young when I was little. I don’t know what else I could think of. But Director Hwang [Dong-Hyuk]—I don’t think he would have invented new games [for the upcoming season]. I think he would have gotten some new games from his childhood, and he actually told me that he has some that are more dramatic. So I’m looking forward to it.”
Further adding on how Oh Il-nam’s death is going to affect Squid Game Season 2, Oh Young-soo stated, “I believe Oh Il-nam will now be deep in the consciousness of Seong Gi-hun. And I think Gi-hun made some personal growth due to Il-nam. I think that’s going to impact how he views life, and how he makes relationships with other people in Season 2. I think Season One of Squid Game was mostly about incidents that happened to Gi-Hun; and the external factors that were at play in his life. But season 2 will be more about how he views himself and how he shapes his own life.”
Moreover, actor Wi Ha-Jun, who plays Officer Hwang Jun-ho, told Deadline, “I’m dying to know what happened to him. I want him to return alive, find his brother, and ask him tons of questions. As a brother, I would ask him sincerely as a detective, I want to explore the overall secrets behind the game as well. I really hope to see Jun-ho come back alive and explore all these questions, I hope to see a more brotherly-love side of their relationship as well.”
Hwang also said in an interview with The Times that a second season might focus more on the story of the Front Man as well as incorporating more about the police. Hwang said, “I think the issue with police officers is not just an issue in Korea. I see it on the global news that the police force can be very late in acting on things—there are more victims or a situation gets worse because of them not acting fast enough. This was an issue that I wanted to raise.”
He also added that he wanted to explore the relationship between the cryptic Front Man and his policeman brother, Hwang Jun-ho, as well as the background of the salesman character (portrayed by Gong Yoo).
Squid Game Season 2 Cast: Who will reprise their roles?
This time around, it is officially confirmed that Young-hee’s boyfriend, Cheol-su will be introduced!
We will also get to see more of The Salesman slapping people in the face. “The man in the suit with ddakji might be back,” Hwang teases. As Netflix Tudum recently highlighted, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), Season 1’s main character, was buried in debt when he received an invitation to the games. With his daughter serving as motivation, Gi-hun chose to participate, and it was at the games that he encountered his old friend and fellow contestant, Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo).
Without revealing too much, know that Gi-hun does make it out of the games alive; however, he ends the first season determined to make the people responsible for the cruel competition pay for their “atrocities” against people. Thus setting up his return in the next chapter. Hwang said that he would like to bring back some of the dead characters, such as Ji-young, and expressed regret that he had killed off several beloved characters since he did not have any plans for a second season at that time.
Along with the character of Gi-hun, Season 1 returnees will include Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), the leader of the masked staff behind the game; Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun), a detective who sneaks into the game in search of his brother; and the Recruiter (Gong Yoo), the mysterious man in the suit who initially invited Gi-hun to play the game. Furthermore, director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who won an Emmy for his work on Season 1, will direct and executive produce all of Season 2.
The new players who will be a part of the second season are as follows Yim Si-wan (Unlocked), Kang Ha-neul (The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure), Park Gyu-young (Sweet Home, Celebrity), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory), Jo Yu-ri, Yang Dong-geun (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations), Kang Ae-sim (Be Melodramatic, Move to Heaven), Lee David (The Fortress), Lee Jin-uk (Sweet Home), Choi Seung-hyun (Tazza: The Hidden), Roh Jae-won (Missing Yoon) and Won Ji-an (D.P.).
At last, check out the official cast announcement for the second season, as confirmed during 2023’s Netflix Tudum, which is the biggest global fan event that was held this year in Brazil!
Squid Game Season 2 Frequently Asked Questions
What is the series based on?
The series’ name is based on a kid’s game with a similar name that is popular in Korea. Hwang developed the concept as a result of his personal early-life financial difficulties as well as the inequality of class in South Korea. Hwang conceived the idea based on his own economic struggles, as well as the class disparity in South Korea and capitalism. Though he wrote the story in 2009, Hwang couldn’t find a production company to fund the idea until Netflix took an interest around 2019 as part of a drive to expand their foreign programming offerings.
What is the series about?
In the dystopian K-drama, the series revolves around a secret contest where 456 players, all of whom are in deep financial hardship, risk their lives to play a series of deadly children’s games for the chance to win a ₩45.6 billion prize. The residents wager away their lives in an effort to acquire a fortune. Players are fatally removed one at a time in a series of horrifying and cruel childhood games, with just one person remaining.
Is there any reality competition based on the series?
Yes, the universe is expanding into reality, as Netflix has confirmed reports about a competition series, “Squid Game: The Challenge.” The ten-episode series will see 456 players competing for a US$4.56 million cash prize, with challenges based on those in the show. The show is scheduled to premiere next month on November 22, 2023, exclusively on Netflix.
Check out the trailer below:
What would 456 real people do for 4.56 million dollars? Squid Game: The Challenge, the new competition series based on our biggest show ever, premieres November 22 only on @netflix pic.twitter.com/N1UkQQ7Ij3
— Squid Game #오징어게임 (@squidgame) September 22, 2023
How many episodes will be there?
Even though not much has been confirmed, we are certain that the upcoming season will have about 9 episodes with an average runtime of 32 to 63 minutes, which will be released on the same day just to be consistent with the first season. We’d also like to emphasize that the exact titles and synopsis of these episodes have not been confirmed in order to avoid any early spoilers. In the meantime, interested viewers can binge-watch the first season to recall the events before streaming the new one on the streaming platform.
Where to stream?
When Squid Game Season 2 draws close to its release date, the episodes will be available exclusively on Netflix, with other series of the same genre also accessible on the streaming platform with a range of membership options. The video quality depends on the package you choose. The basic membership starts at $9.99 per month, and the standard membership starts at $15.49 per month, with no additional cost for any of their services. If you do not have access to Netflix, readers can opt to use a VPN to stream the show.
Has the official trailer been released?
Unfortunately, the network has not released any new teasers or trailers for the upcoming season as the filming hasn’t concluded.
In the meantime, check out the official trailer for the first season, which showcases, “Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children’s games. Inside, a tempting prize awaits—with deadly high stakes.” On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the first season has an approval rating of 95% based on 74 reviews, with an average rating of 8.10/10. On Metacritic, the series has a weighted average score of 69 out of 100 based on 13 critics, indicating “generally favorable reviews.”
It has also received numerous accolades, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Series, Miniseries or Television Film for O Yeong-su, and the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series for Lee Jung-jae and HoYeon Jung, respectively.
The first series also received 14 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including for Outstanding Drama Series, making it the first non-English-language work to be nominated in this category; Lee won the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, the first time an Asian actor won the award for a non-English part. Lastly, take a look at the official trailer for Squid Game Season 1 to recap the events that have transpired so far below:
While you wait for more Squid Game Season 2 release date updates, let us know in the comments how you feel about the overall plot of the series.