[K-drama Review] ‘Squid Game’ Season 2: It’s all about the players
Let the new games begin… Squid Game is back and as brutal as ever.
Squid Game Season 2 Promotional Poster. Image: Netflix.
The 2021 phenomenon Squid Game, Netflix’s most-viewed series to date with 265.2 million views, is back with a second season. On its first day, the latest season ranked #1 in all 93 countries where Netflix is available. But could Season 2 surpass the groundbreaking success of Season 1, or is this simply Netflix’s attempt to profit from a show that didn’t necessarily need a sequel?
The show’s writer-director, Hwang Dong Hyuk, has been transparent about the financial aspects of creating the series. In an interview, he revealed that after Season 1 he was paid according to the pre-signed contract, not based on the show’s massive popularity. Netflix only offered him a fair deal on the condition that he produce another installment, prompting him to proceed with Season 2 to finally receive the compensation he deserved from the beginning.
While Seasons 2 and 3 might seem like a cash grab for Netflix to milk the franchise before audiences lose interest, Hwang did leave a few loose ends in the original story that warranted continuation.
Questions such as what happened to the cop (Wi Ha Joon), the Frontman's (Lee Byung Hun) motivation behind running the Squid Game, and whether Player 456 will take revenge against the creator of the Squid Game, all begged for resolution. Season 2 answers the first two questions, but just as we begin to see Gi-hun seek his revenge, the season ends abruptly, leaving the audience asking for more.
When Squid Game premiered three years ago, it was a groundbreaking concept with a unique story that captivated the world. Expecting Season 2 to have the same impact might be unrealistic because, at its core, the second season is not fundamentally different from the first. With an identical premise, it’s harder to evoke the same level of surprise. Instead, this season thrives on its diverse and intriguing characters.
Try not to get too attached…
Hyun Ju. Image: Netflix.
First up is Hyun Ju, a trans woman played by Park Sung Hoon, who joins the deadly game to finance her transition.
Although casting a cisgender man for the role of a transgender woman initially sparked criticism online, Park Sung Hoon (known for ‘The Glory’ and ‘Queen of Tears’) delivered a phenomenal performance, making Hyun Ju one of the season’s standout characters.
Thanos. Image: Netflix.
Next is Thanos, a retired rapper who after the show's premier became an internet sensation for his goofy yet annoying personality.
After losing his life savings in a crypto scam and nearly ending his life by jumping into the Han River, Thanos was recruited for the Squid Game. The role was brought to life by T.O.P of BIGBANG, whose controversial past—including a hiatus following a marijuana scandal in 2016—blurred the lines between the actor and the character.
T.O.P’s portrayal of a character painted in the same shade as the one his real-life haters assigned to him felt almost cathartic.
Dae Ho. Image: Netflix.
Another character who felt larger than life was Dae Ho, played by Kang Ha Neul, an ex-marine with a golden-retriever-like, happy-go-lucky personality who was later revealed to have been forced into the marine corps by his father to ‘make a man out of him.’
While some viewers criticized the ‘cowardice’ he displayed by the end of the season, Dae Ho’s portrayal effectively highlighted the psychological toll of toxic masculinity and the PTSD that often accompanies mandatory military conscription.
Myung Gi. Image: Netflix.
Finally, there’s Myung Gi, a crypto YouTuber whose incompetence caused hundreds of his followers, including Thanos, to lose their money in a crypto scam.
Despite having less than 20 minutes of screen time, Myung Gi became a fan favorite, not for the character’s actions, but because of Im Siwan’s brilliant performance. Hopefully, the actor will get more screen time in the next season to flesh out the character fully.
Although Squid Game Season 2 had its good, bad, and ugly moments, we’re eagerly awaiting Season 3—which is confirmed for release sometime in 2025.
Edited by Chelsea Cheetham.
