Ready for a sweat-dripping, nerve-wracking rendevous? Netflix ordered another round of Squid Game!
The question is: Are You Game?
South Korean drama series have been all the rage in recent years, given their sky-rocketing popularity through their unique story-telling perspective, as well as unconventional discourses to traditional drama. While Korean survival dramas like All of Us Are Dead and Hellbound have bagged the position of being in a renewal vicious cycle, nothing has popped off the viewership charts like Squid Game, which has set its name in stone as the blueprint survival drama series behind which the others follow suit.
This enthusiasm reverberated throughout the viewers as the fandom grew, from one follower to the other, until it bagged the top position in Netflix’s most-watched series. After this incremental success, one is left to wonder about the fate of Squid Game and whether it will deliver more content our way.
The answer is Yes! Netflix did not blink before renewing the flagship series for a new Season. Hence the viewers have been growing weary of its arrival and asking when will it reach us amidst the ongoing strike that has shaken Hollywood to its core. So, will it reach us in September 2023? Let’s find out!
Will Squid Game Season 2 Reach Us In September 2023?
Unfortunately, Squid Game will not be on Netflix in September 2023. In fact, it will not be coming at all in 2023.
Last month, the cast and showrunners gathered for the first table read of Season 2, which goes into production later this year. Moreover, the filming of the second season will probably continue until the spring of 2024, assuming a 10-month production schedule starting later this year. However, if the series is still intended to appear on Netflix next year, 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!
For the time being, 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 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: What To Expect From The New Season?
*Spoilers*
We all know the basic premise of the series is based on a children’s game that is popular in Korea. Unlike the children’s game where if you lose you step down from the game, Squid Game takes it to a whole other level and culminates in a life-and-death situation. This is what makes it such an offbeat, epoch-inspiring survival drama series.
Hwang culminated the base of the series reflecting the grave class inequalities in South Korea through his own personal tragic early-life financial crunch. In the dystopian K-drama, 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. The series includes Seong Gi-hun, the show’s main character, who risks their life in a mystery survival game known as the Squid Games in exchange for a 45.6 billion won reward.
Executive producer Kim Ji-yeon tells Netflix Tudum, quote, “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.”
When asked what other South Korean childhood games Season 2 will incorporate, 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.”
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 added he also 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)
Moreover, any other updates on the plot for the upcoming season will be revealed as we etch closer to its premiere date which is yet to be decided. Until then, stay tuned to this space!
Squid Game Season 2 Cast: Who Will Reprise Their Roles For The New Season?
The vivacious killer doll that still haunts us in our dreams is officially not returning for Season 2, although there is a strong possibility that we will be introduced to her boyfriend Cheol-su, instead. Will he be more dangerous? We are yet to see.
The Salesman slapping people in the face will be returning in the next Season. “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).
In a recent turn of events, Hwang also teased that he would be resurrecting dead characters who were killed off not knowing the immense emotional hold the viewers would have over them. He gave the example of Ji-Young, who was mercilessly killed off. It looks like Gi-Hun will also return for the next Season as Hwang hinted.
Season 1 player 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
- Recruiter (Gong Yoo), the mysterious man in the suit who initially invited Gi-hun to play the game.
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)
- Won Ji-an (D.P.).
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 Official Trailer: Is It Out?
Unfortunately, because of the lack of knowledge we have over the arrival date of Season 2, we do not possess the official trailer for the same. 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.”
For more updates on official announcements for Squid Game Season 2, stay tuned to this space.