Storming the world with iconic reimaginations of Korean childhood games, Squid Game’s first season was nothing short of groundbreaking. Holding the title for the most-watched TV show for Netflix, since its release in 2021, the world has waited three years for its highly anticipated second season, which was finally released on December 26, 2024. Season Two features an almost completely refreshed cast, new games, a growingly complicated plot, and the same iconic momentum the first season generated. As with most sequels, the show has received mixed reviews but has maintained its high viewership, already breaking records.
Squid Game, at its core, is a horror and suspense series, delivering a reflection of capitalist society and the extent to which people get driven when in the face of money. The first season largely operated on its element of surprise — first-time viewers never expected that the seemingly innocent children would turn out to be a front for a life-or-death game. Leading up to the second season, many viewers and critics were worried that the second season would lose this suspenseful appeal, turning repetitive and predictable. However, even despite knowing that the games will turn out to be the deathbed of hundreds, the season delivers even more twists and turns. The main character, Seong Gi-Hun, has a new motive of fighting to not just survive but shut down the games after winning the first season. The show stays fresh with new destabilizing plotlines, including a backstory and feature on the enigmatic recruiter in the first episode, an exciting new cast, and a couple of new games.
These unforeseeable plot twists are what have carried the second season in terms of entertainment. A breeding ground for viral moments and trends, Squid Game successfully utilizes sound and music to its advantage. From inserting classical music in the most tense moments to introducing international audiences to traditional Korean childhood songs, the auditory choices in the series have shaped its momentum. The music often plays into irony, being the most light-hearted in the most severe scenes. Jung Jae-Il, the composer of Squid Game’s soundtrack, put an emphasis on designing serious songs using child-like instrumentation. This is seen in the second season’s “Mingle” game, which uses a popular Korean childhood song in a high-pitched, hyper-youthful sense.
The assortment of new characters and character developments also keeps the series fresh despite repeating the same concept of the games. The familiar main character Seong Gi-Hun (portrayed by Lee Jung-Jae) returns, however this time in a completely different atmosphere and light. Lee delivers a much more nuanced portrayal of Seong, emphasizing his past traumas and newfound mission of stopping the games. Although the character was relatively light-hearted and optimistic at the beginning of season one, season two shows a starkly different character.
Lee is joined by a fresh ensemble of characters, each offering powerful performances that deepen the season’s emotional impact. As the game progresses, the backstories and motivations of each character are thoughtfully revealed, allowing viewers to form strong connections with them. The cast is also star-studded, featuring famous Korean singers and star actors.
However, the new characters bring us to some of the negative critiques of the season. Many viewers thought that the characters introduced in the second season were much more unlikable than the first. This is most evident in the character Choi Su-bong, also known as Thanos. He is revealed to have fallen into extreme debt due to a poor cryptocurrency investment decision. The character quickly received negative reactions from the audience due to his cruel and arrogant nature. Other equally despised characters, like Player 100, Im Jeong-Dae, also drew intense hatred from viewers, who eagerly awaited his downfall. The audience’s frustration with these characters grew as their actions continued to fuel disdain. The disappointment with the new characters is mainly in reaction to season one which featured multifaceted, fleshed-out characters that showcased both the good and bad in humans, making them more likable and easy to sympathize with.
Another complaint with the sequel that viewers were not fans of was the abrupt cliffhanger ending. Fans had mixed emotions after realizing the second season ended after just seven episodes, two less than the original. Many felt that the season was cut short and that the ending wasn’t very fitting. Further, after three years of waiting, many were disappointed that season two left even more questions unanswered and offered little to no closure for long-time fans. However, the show has officially announced a season three coming in 2025.
Overall, Squid Game’s season two successfully built on its predecessor’s strengths, delivering a refreshing set of exciting scenes and characters. The positives undoubtedly outweigh the negatives, making it a standout in its genre. While some viewers felt that this season could’ve offered more, this only raises even more anticipation for the show’s last installment, which will put a close to the iconic run of Squid Game. The second season gets four out of five stars, putting the show in a class of its own.
