The South Korean series Squid Game was a smash hit for Netflix. There have been rumors of a second season for a few months. Series creator Dong-hyuk Hwang has now spoken out – and the sequel seems to be coming sooner than expected!
In September 2021, Squid Game landed on Netflix, a series that many subscribers probably didn’t even have on their screens – and which then went completely through the roof. For weeks, the production from South Korea was number 1. After the total number of hours streamed in the first month, the series still clearly leads with an impressive 1.65 billion hours. For comparison: Bridgerton (season 1) follows in second place with 625.49 million hours. It was quickly assumed that there would be a sequel; in November 2021 there was also the official confirmation for a 2nd season of Squid Game. Since then, however, the streaming world has been waiting for more news. Finally there is news, including the start of the project, by series creator Dong-hyuk Hwang.
Squid Game Season 2 planned for 2023/2024
The successful first season of Squid Game is about the gambling addict Gi-hun. The heavily indebted man gets involved with a mysterious organization that pits people against each other in cruel and deadly children’s games with the promise of a large sum as the main prize. The dramatic individual fates of some participants are woven around this plot, as is the big question of who is behind the organization and the games. The first season left us (spoiler alert!) with a partial answer to that question and a gi-hun returning to the games. So the ending allowed for speculation about a sequel from the start.
In an interview at the MipTV event, Dong-hyuk Hwang now commented on a start date for the second season. If it is up to the Squid Game mastermind, who provided both the basic idea and the script and directed the series, then the new season will come at the end of 2024. A few pages of the new script already exist.
“I have to work on season 2, I hope it will be ready by the end of 2024. Hopefully I can show them to fans by the end of 2024.”
Dong Hyuk Hwang
In a later interview with Vanity Fair, Hwang even throws the year 2023 in the ring! There is not much time left until this desired date. But we can be sure that Netflix will do everything it can to move the project forward. Neither of the two dates is impossible. Incidentally, a 3rd season of the hit series is said to be being negotiated behind the scenes!
Also interesting: All Netflix innovations at a glance
This is what Squid Game Season 2 could be about
It is almost certain that Gi-hun will return and thus the storyline that has already started about unmasking the organization will be continued. Hwang said:
“But I will promise you that (…). Gi-hun will return, he will do something for the world.”
Dong Hyuk Hwang
The story of the two brothers Jun-ho and In-ho Hwang is also unfinished, as is of course the story of the organization itself. Illuminating their structures and the people behind them will very likely be an essential part of Squid Game Season 2. The mystery frontman from the first round of games could play a more important role in this.
The games themselves should also play a key role again and “put humanity to the test,” Hwang told Vanity Fair. An important question, which was already raised in season 1, should be in focus: “Is true solidarity [in den Zeiten, in denen wir leben] between people possible?” Hwang suggests that in a sequel, for example, the group dynamics could develop differently by creating a sense of togetherness that could then also make multiple winners possible.
Director and actors hint at unexpected return
If it were up to the main actors of the series, two actually dead characters could also return in Squid Game Season 2. Specifically, it’s about the North Korean defector Kang Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-yeon). The young woman took part in the games to catch up with her family from the totalitarian country. She even almost makes it to the final round, only to be killed in the back by Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo). The scheming childhood friend and boss of Gi-hun could also return.
For example, actor Park Hae-soo theorizes that he will be rescued by the organization’s doctors. That doesn’t seem all that unlikely. For Kang Sae-byeok there would have to be a more sophisticated idea. In the interview, both actress and model Jung Ho-yeon and creator Hwang himself (somewhat jokingly) suggest the twin sister motive. So Hwang doesn’t seem averse to a return of the characters in one form or another. He and the actors also confirmed their interest in further collaboration.
By the way: “Squid Game” actor Park Hae-soo also embodies the role of Berlin in the Korean Netflix remake of “Heist of Money”!