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Netflix has confirmed the release date for Squid Game season two, revealing that the next instalment of the breakout South Korean hit will premiere on 26 December 2024. Details are still scarce on what’s next for contestants of the beleaguered game show, but we do have quite a bit of detail to break down. So, let’s dive in!
For fans of Squid Game, season two confirmation has been a long time coming. The record-breaking series, which became an overnight global sensation, was greenlit for another instalment way back in June 2022. At the time, Squid Game was Netflix’s most-watched series — English-language or non-English-language with 1.65 billion views in its first 28 days of release. Now, it is coming back.
In an emotional letter posted by Netflix, executive producer, writer, and director of the series Hwang Dong-Hyuk confirmed the Squid Game season two release date, revealing that lead characters Gi-hun and Front Man would both be returning.
“On the first day we began shooting season two, I remember thinking ‘Wow, I can’t believe I’m back in the world of Squid Game. It almost felt surreal. I wonder how it will feel for you to be back in Squid Game after three years, as well,” the Korean filmmaker wrote. “I am thrilled to see the seed that was planted in creating a new Squid Game grow and bear fruit through the end of this story. We’ll do our best to make sure we bring you yet another thrill ride. I hope you’re excited for what’s to come.”
Squid Game Season 2 Release Date
As confirmed by Netflix, Squid Game season two will premiere on the streaming platform on 26 December 2024. The series will again be set in South Korea and will pick up after Gi-hun’s ‘jaw-dropping decision’ in the season one finale. Netflix has not confirmed how many episodes will air in season two, however, it is likely that the new instalment will feature nine episodes, in line with the first season.
What’s Going to Happen in Season 2?
The plot of Squid Game season two will kick off precisely where season one left viewers. That first instalment introduced us to a deadly game that forced citizens to gamble with their lives. More of a test of resilience than a true game show, contestants were assigned a series of childlike tasks that would ultimately decide their fate.
Win, and you will receive an enormous fortune. Lose, and you suffer the most dire of consequences. According to Netflix, the new season will again follow down on his luck Seong Gi-hun as the main protagonist.
“Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 remains determined to find the people behind the game and put an end to their vicious sport,” the official season two synopsis reads. “Using this fortune to fund his search, Gi-hun starts with the most obvious of places: look for the man in a sharp suit playing ddakji in the subway. But when his efforts finally yield results, the path toward taking down the organization proves to be deadlier than he imagined: to end the game, he needs to re-enter it.”
As we see in the second trailer for the new season, Gi-hun will attempt to unite contestants against those running the game, though not everyone will trust his advice, often with bloody results.
Talking with IndieWire back in 2022, writer Hwang Dong-Hyuk said he left clues in the first season’s storyline: “Just in case there is another season, these things could be loose knots. I only currently have a broad storyline. I’m in the process of structuring the story and the new games, and wanting to crystallise them into more detailed ideas.”
Cast
Importantly, a number of familiar faces will be returning for Squid Game season two, including Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Gong Yoo, and Wi Ha-jun. The series will largely follow the exploits of Player 456, however, a new generation of players, characters and intriguing adversaries will also enter the mix. The full Squid Game season two confirmed cast includes:
- Lee Jung-jae
- Lee Byung-hun
- Gong Yoo
- Wi Ha-jun
- Yim Si-wan
- Kang Ha-neul
- Park Gyu-young
- Park Sung-hoon
- Jo Yu-ri
- Yang Dong-geun
- Kang Ae-sim
- Lee David
- Lee Jin-uk
- Choi Seung-hyun
- Roh Jae-won
- Won Ji-an
Squid Game Season 3 Confirmation
While series lead Hwang Dong-Hyuk’s letter was largely framed around the Squid Game season two announcement, the Korean filmmaker didn’t finish without adding a trademark twist. In addition to the Squid Game season two release date, Dong-Hyuk also revealed that a third and final season has been greenlit for 2026.
“It’s been almost three years since season one was met with incredible response around the world and many unimaginable events took place,” he wrote. “I am beyond excited to be writing this letter to announce the date for season two and share the news of season three, the final season.”
“Seong Gi-hun, who vowed revenge at the end of season one returns and joins the game again. Will he succeed in getting his revenge? Front Man doesn’t seem to be an easy opponent this time, either. The fierce clash between two worlds will continue into the series finale with season three, which will be brought to you next year.”
What is Squid Game?
First released in September 2021, Squid Game is one of Netflix’s most successful original series to date. Inspired by classic films such as The Running Man and Death Race, season one of the South Korean dystopian drama followed Seong Gi-hun, one of 456 contestants thrust into a high-stakes survival game played out on a remote island.
The ‘game’ pits competitors against one another in a series of deceptively simple tasks. One by one, the 456 competitors are culled, brutally murdered and whisked off into obscurity. For the last man standing, 45.6 billion Won, equivalent to more than AUD$53 million awaits.
We explore each character’s backstory through a series of flashbacks, revealing them all to be poor and downtrodden. From the teenage North Korean defector at the mercy of people smugglers to the businessman driven to commit riskier and riskier deals, every contestant has their own sad reasonings for being there.
The series was an instant success, reaching a record-breaking 111 million fans according to streaming platform Netflix, and won three of the four awards it was up for at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The response was more than enough to encourage the streamer to invest heavily in a follow-up.
“It took 12 years to bring the first season of Squid Game to life last year. But it took 12 days for Squid Game to become the most popular series ever,” Hwang shared in a letter upon the series’ renewal in 2021. “Join us once more for a whole new round.”
There’s been massive hype around the second season for some time, however, this latest announcement marks the first true confirmation from Hwang and the streamer. Season two of Netflix’ Squid Game officially releases on 26 December 2024.
