Netflix has finally unveiled the highly anticipated release date for Squid Game: Season 2, setting the premiere for December 26 of 2024. Fans around the world have been eagerly waiting to dive back into the dystopian world of deadly games and twisted challenges. But the excitement doesn't stop there; Netflix also confirmed that the third and final season will debut in 2025, bringing the thrilling saga to a close.

In a heartfelt letter to fans, director Hwang Dong-hyuk shared his enthusiasm and reflections on the journey so far. "It's been almost three years since Season 1 was met with incredible response around the world," Hwang wrote. He recalled the surreal experience of returning to the set for Season 2, expressing his wonder at how the fans would feel re-entering the world of Squid Game after such a long wait.

The letter also teased the return of Seong Gi-hun, who vowed revenge at the end of Season 1. Fans can look forward to an intense clash as Gi-hun joins the game again.

WATCH THE DATE ANNOUNCEMENT VIDEO HERE:

With six wins out of 14 nominations, Netflix’s blockbuster series Squid Game achieved several memorable milestones at the 74th Emmy Awards. Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk won the Emmy for outstanding directing for a drama series, while actor Lee Jung-jae received the Emmy for outstanding actor in a drama series for his lead performance. This makes Hwang and Lee the first Asians and the first South Koreans to win in their respective categories, and the first ones to do so with a non-English language series. 

It’s official — Squid Game will be returning to our screens for Season 2, only on Netflix. About SQUID GAME: 

Squid Game is taking the world by storm with its thrilling story of desperate people who sign up to play mysterious children’s games in the hopes of winning a large cash prize. While the series appears to be enjoying instant success, the road to creating it has been long and difficult for series creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how Squid Game came to life.

The Beginning
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk first conceived the idea and began writing in 2008. He said, “The year 2008 was actually right after my debut. That was a time when I frequented comic book stores. As I was reading a lot of comic books, I thought about creating something like a comic book story in Korea, and I finished the script in 2009.” As a film director, Hwang Dong-hyuk originally planned for Squid Game to be a film.

A Challenging Journey
Despite finishing the initial screenplay for Squid Game in 2009, Hwang Dong-hyuk had to shelve the idea and work on his hit films Silenced (2011), Miss Granny (2014), and The Fortress (2017) before being able to create the series. The director revealed, “At the time, it seemed very unfamiliar and violent. There were people who thought it was a little too complex and not commercial. I wasn’t able to get enough investment and casting was not easy. I dabbled in it for about a year, but I had to put it to sleep then.”

About 10 Years Later
About10 years or so after conceiving the idea for Squid Game, Hwang Dong-hyuk was finally able to actualize it and start working on it. He shared, “Thanks to Netflix, there was no limit and I was given creative freedom to work as I wanted to.” Through this opportunity, the director expanded his story into a series that is capturing a global audience now.

The Intention Behind the Art
One of the most visually noticeable aspects about the series is the unique, colorful aesthetic which sets it apart from other survival stories. Art director Chae Kyoung-sun said, “We created the places and displays trying to make the viewers think about the hidden intentions of Squid Game with us.” The large-scale sets and vibrant colors transport viewers into a realistic yet fantasy-like world.

Simple Childhood Games
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk deliberately selected childhood games that are relatable and easy to understand. However, the details behind the games shows how much planning went into each round. For example, the first game is Red Light, Green Light which is a game that most should be familiar with. The robot is modeled after a girl from children’s textbooks making the scene all the more shocking as childhood fun transforms into a harrowing fight for survival.

Portraying Realistic Emotions
The enormous sets helped lend to realistic emotions portrayed by the actors. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said, “I tried to stimulate the atmosphere of real playgrounds, so that the actors can feel like they’re really doing something in there. I thought those kinds of sets can give more of a sense of reality to the actors’ performance.” The juxtaposition of an urgent need for survival set in an innocent, childlike playground is quite striking and emotional.

Creating Nostalgia
One of the sets that took the longest to create is a replication of typical Korean neighborhood alleyways in the 70s and 80s. Actor Park Hae-soo commented, “The playground felt so real, like the actual back alleys of the past. It was like being in front of real homes of the past. It created a strange nostalgia and an odd tension.” Actor Heo Sung-tae also praised the art team for their attention to detail with sprinkling soil in various spots in the alleys.

Making It Universal and Korean
All of these aspects combine to create a story that is both universal and Korean. Most of the childhood games are ubiquitous and some of them are uniquely Korean. The human emotions and struggles the characters go through will strike a chord within many people irrespective of where they are from. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk commented, “As a survival game it is entertainment and human drama.”

Delivering a Poignant Message
The series examines human nature and how we change from childhood to adulthood through showing adults revisit and play children’s games. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk shared, “I wanted to write a story that was an allegory or fable about modern capitalist society, something that depicts an extreme competition, somewhat like the extreme competition of life.” It’s not all depressing though, as we see the characters hold onto their humanity and hope. The commentary on human nature and society is definitely thought-provoking.

For more behind-the-scenes details, view the featurette here and watch Squid Game, only on Netflix!

Image courtesy of Netflix

Squid Game is an exciting series about 456 cash-strapped individuals who participate in mysterious games in order to win a prize of 45.6 billion won. The players begin to play children’s games only to realize that the cost of losing is death. A thrilling adventure is played out as the players try to survive every game and win the large cash prize. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, and actors Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-jun, Jung Ho-yeon, and Heo Sung-tae gathered at today’s press conference to discuss the upcoming series. Find out some interesting facts below!

1. Where the Title Comes From
Creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk explained where the titles of the series comes from saying, “Squid Game is a game I used to play as a child in the schoolyard or the streets of the neighborhood. This is a story about people who used to play this game as children and return to play it as adults. It was one of the most physical and it was also one of my favorite games. I felt that this game could be the most symbolic children’s game that could represent the kind of society we live in today.”

2. It All Started in 2008
Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk actually started writing the first draft of Squid Game in 2008, long before some of his hit films like Silenced and The Fortress. He said, “I was reading a lot of comic books, and I finished the script in 2009. At the time, it seemed very unfamiliar and violent. There were people who thought it was a little too complex and not commercial. I wasn’t able to get enough investment and casting was difficult. I dabbled in it for about a year, but I had to put it to sleep then.” The director also shared about how he was given creative freedom to work as he wanted to thanks to Netflix, about 10 years later.

3. Squid Game Is Not Like Other Survival Shows
Despite some perceived similarities with other survival genre shows, Squid Game has unique traits that sets it apart. Hwang Dong-hyuk shared, “The essence of survival games is the level of entertainment that is seen through and seeing how the participants struggle to win these games. Looking at differentiating factors, I would say the simplicity of the rules. There’s not a lot of time or energy spent understanding the rules; it’s very simple. Rather than the game itself, Squid Game focuses on how they act and how they respond. Usually, we look at the winners in survival games but in Squid Game, we look at the losers. Without losers, there are no winners.”

4. There Are a Lot of Memorable Characters
With 456 participants, it’s no surprise that there are people from different walks of life. Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) is a divorcee struggling with business failure and debt. His neighborhood friend Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo) went to a prestigious university and works at an investment firm, but ends up in a difficult situation. There’s also Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-yeon) who is a North Korean defector striving to reunite her family. Other interesting characters include Deok-su (Heo Sung-tae) who is a gangster and Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun), a police officer who discovers the games while searching for his missing brother. You’ll find yourself invested and interested in each of the characters.

5. Great Symbolism, Great Sets, and Great Music
In addition to the entertainment factor, there’s a lot of symbolism to appreciate. The whole series is an allegory meant to symbolize the competitive contemporary society we live in. How humans change as adults through society is reflected in how innocent children’s games transform into something terrifying and deadly. The actors also complimented the detailed sets and how the director didn’t rely heavily on computer graphics, opting for realistic and large-scale sets. Lastly, the music reflects what children listened to in the 70s and 80s resulting in a nostalgic and relatable feel. All of these attributes come together for an immersive and captivating experience.

These are just some interesting facts about Squid Game. To discover more about the fascinating series, watch Squid Game now, only on Netflix!

Image courtesy of Netflix

Have you ever wondered why survival shows are so popular? There’s something relatable about the struggle to survive despite not being in extreme situations like the protagonists. It’s absolutely engrossing as we watch characters overcome hurdles and try to find strength in themselves. The best survival shows keep our attention until the very end as we wonder what will happen next and what will become of them. Check out some survival shows that will keep you guessing until the end here.

1) Squid Game
Squid Game is a unique series in that the 456 participants willingly sign up to compete in games for a 45.6 billion won prize. While most survival shows feature situations where individuals are pitted against unwanted circumstances, the case is very different for Squid Game. The players are unaware of the deadly cost of losing at first, but things change with each game. With the participants playing childhood games to stay alive and win, you won’t be able to stop watching as they face unknown obstacles. Don’t let the childhood games fool you, this series is gritty and shows the dark side of human nature in a most entertaining way.

2) Sweet Home
Sweet Home is a great series to watch if you enjoy engaging characters and intriguing developments. The story centers around troubled teen Cha Hyun-su (Song Kang) and his apartment neighbors when humans suddenly turn into savage monsters. Wreaking havoc everywhere, the strange phenomenon changes life as they know it. The type of monsters humans transform into depends on their deepest desires which means a variety of different monsters for viewers to enjoy. With monsters lurking everywhere, the apartment residents remain trapped and fight to survive as well as to hold on to their humanity.

Image Courtesy of Netflix

Squid Game is already gathering much buzz and interest with its intriguing premise ahead of its premiere. The Netflix series features the story of hundreds of desperate, cash-strapped participants competing for an enormous cash prize through playing children’s games, only to realize that the consequences of losing is death. An extreme survival situation juxtaposed with childhood games makes for an uncanny story. While we eagerly anticipate the release of Squid Game, get to know the creator and cast in the meantime.

1) Hwang Dong-hyuk
Squid Game is already gathering much buzz and interest with its intriguing premise ahead of its premiere. The Netflix series features the story of hundreds of desperate, cash-strapped participants competing for an enormous cash prize through playing children’s games, only to realize that the consequences of losing is death. An extreme survival situation juxtaposed with childhood games makes for an uncanny story. While we eagerly anticipate the release of Squid Game, get to know the creator and cast in the meantime.

2) Lee Jung-jae
Lee Jung-jae is a well-known actor who has been acting since 1993. He has acted in a broad range of genres and roles, but you might recognize him from movies like The Thieves and Svaha: The Sixth Finger or the series Chief of Staff. In Squid Game, he portrays Seong Gi-hun who has gone through a lot of difficult experiences including divorce, business failure, debt, and gambling issues. Despite his desperate situation, Gi-hun doesn’t lose hope and tries his best to survive. He’s a personable character who is kind to others.

3) Park Hae-soo
Park Hae-soo will be a familiar face if you’ve watched Prison Playbook, Time to Hunt, or Persona. Like a true chameleon, the actor takes on diverse characters that reflect his wide range. For Squid Game, he takes on Cho Sang-woo who grew up in the same neighbourhood as Gi-hun. Known for his intelligence, he went on to graduate from Seoul National University. Unfortunately, one wrong decision completely upends his life. Sang-woo is unexpectedly reunited with Gi-hun as they meet while they play the games and try to survive.

4) Wi Ha-jun
Wi Ha-jun debuted in 2015 through the film Coin Locker Girl. Since then he’s appeared in many works such as Something in the Rain, Romance Is a Bonus Book, and 18 Again. The actor will be taking on a different type of role in Squid Game. His character, Hwang Jun-ho, is a police officer who is searching for his missing brother. While investigating some clues related to his brother’s disappearance, Jun-ho ends up discovering the games. Hiding his identity, he uncovers various mysteries surrounding the games.

5) Jung Ho-yeon
Squid Game will mark Jung Ho-yeon’s acting debut. As a fashion model, she gained recognition through appearing on Korea’s Next Top Model 4 and was a joint runner-up. Her experience on many runways and campaigns is evident in the tough charisma that is portrayed through her character Kang Sae-byeok. As a North Korean defector, Sae-byeok is no stranger to adversity. We’ll be able to see how her survival skills will help her as she fights to stay alive and win.

Watch the trailer below:

Netflix has unveiled the first poster and pre-teaser trailer for its new show Squid Game, an imaginative, unorthodox story in which 456 contestants risk their lives in a mysterious survival game for a chance to win 45.6 billion won.

The tagline “45.6 Billion Is Child’s Play” makes a powerful first impression alongside the imagery of the shapes that are used in the ‘squid game,’ the fallen man in the green tracksuit, the man in pink dragging him away, and the large box with the pink ribbon. The title is a reference to a simple yet physical and aggressive children’s game played in neighborhood alleyways. How will this symbol of childhood fun drive the adult players into peril? Every piece of new information provides more tantalizing hints.

Unveiled alongside the poster, the first pre-teaser trailer features tense sequences of participants putting their lives on the line in the games. Driven to desperation and gathered at an unknown location, the 456 participants play one game each day as they race towards the prize of 45.6 billion won. The price of failure is death, and only one contestant can survive to claim the prize. How did this diverse group of people end up here, and who is the mastermind behind these games? The striking juxtaposition between the pandemonium and the colorful, nostalgic art direction of Squid Game further heightens anticipation for the distinctive visuals and story of this show.

Squid Game has garnered much attention since production was first announced, for its atypical title and premise, unprecedented scale, and the shining track records of its cast and crew. Spearheaded by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the versatile and socially-conscious director of The Fortress, Miss Granny, and Silenced, this unconventional combination of classic childhood fun and the contemporary rat race tells a story like none other. Cast members Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Oh Young-soo, Wi Ha-Jun, Jung Ho-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam and Kim Joo-ryoung draw viewers into the macabre show by delivering deep, nuanced performances that vibrantly convey the humanity of the diverse characters who have no choice but to take part in the game.

The striking visuals and exceptional creativity of Squid Game will be available for streaming in 190 countries on September 17, only on Netflix.