Netflix just dropped a fresh teaser for the next installment of "Squid Game: The Challenge," and the streaming service's competition looks fiercer than ever. Set to DJ Khaled's "All I Do is Win," this brief new teaser trailer gives us another look at some of the trials that our next batch of 456 contestants will face.

Across the footage, you can spy competitors taking on more of the iconic K-drama's challenges, and it culminates with one ominous line from a "Squid Game: The Challenge" contestant: "I promised myself going into this game that there would be no line that I wouldn't be willing to cross."

"Squid Game" fans will no doubt recognize those rainbow racetracks, plus flying stones and Gong-gi from the Six-legged Penthathlon.

Netflix already gave us a series synopsis to work with, and it definitely hypes season 2 up as an intense watch. It reads: "This time, 456 brand-new contestants will enter the ultimate test of strategy, alliances, and endurance as they compete for a life-changing $4.56 million prize.

"Inspired by the iconic original series – with shocking new twists and never-before-seen games – season two raises the stakes higher than ever. As players face elimination at every turn, only one can emerge victorious. New players. New games. New rules."

Judging by the reactions on our competitors' faces throughout, "Squid Game: The Challenge" season 2 is about to be a real wild ride. Excited? Netflix confirmed the "Squid Game: The Challenge" season 2 release date back in July; the new series is due to return as a "three-week event", premiering exclusively on Netflix on Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Is 'Squid Game: The Challenge' coming back for season 3?

Yes! If you didn't already know, Netflix renewed "Squid Game: The Challenge" for a third series over the summer. What's more, we know that recruitment for "Squid Game: The Challenge" season 3 is still open.

"Squid Game" hopefuls looking to take on the Netflix reality series can apply now via squidgamecasting.com, and recruitment's also taking place through "Squid Game: The Experience" in both New York and London.

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"Squid Game" season 3 might have brought the Netflix K-drama to an end not long ago, but the streaming service's "Squid Game"-themed competition show isn't going anywhere anytime soon

Yesterday (July 10), Netflix released a short teaser (embedded below) for "Squid Game: The Challenge" season 2 that confirmed a Thursday, November 4, 2025, release date for the new season.

What's more, we also know that Netflix has officially renewed "Squid Game: The Challenge" for a third season, so we can look forward to even more drama in the future.

If you hadn't checked it out before, the streamer unleashed its Emmy-nominated unscripted series, "Squid Game: The Challenge" in 2023. As you might've guessed, the show brings Hwang Dong-hyuk's deadly competition to life, pitting 456 real contestants against one another for a shot at a life-changing $4.56 million cash prize.

What do we know about 'Squid Game: The Challenge' season 2 so far?

As the teaser is just 24 seconds long, it only gives us a very quick glimpse at what our next batch of would-be winners will face when they set foot in the arena, though it looks like Gonggi will be making a comeback.

We do at least have a series synopsis to work with. It reads: "This time, 456 brand-new contestants will enter the ultimate test of strategy, alliances, and endurance as they compete for a life-changing $4.56 million prize.

"Inspired by the iconic original series – with shocking new twists and never-before-seen games – season two raises the stakes higher than ever. As players face elimination at every turn, only one can emerge victorious. New players. New games. New rules."

Netflix has also shared a handful of first-look images from the new season, which we've shared here:

Can you apply for 'Squid Game: The Challenge' season 3?

If you want to follow in Gi-hun's footsteps and try your hand at bagging that huge cash prize, you're in luck: casting for "Squid Game: The Challenge" is underway now.

On Tudum, Netflix shared a link to the squidgamecasting.com website, which contains all the relevant info for "Squid Game: The Challenge" hopefuls in the U.S. and U.K. — though you'll need to be at least 21 to enter.

Tudum further reports that player recruitment is also taking place at "Squid Game: The Experience" in New York and London. Winners from the immersive experience will get "priority" in the casting process, though it doesn't guarantee a spot in the show.

From July 17, "Squid Game" guests of the experience will be able to apply via on-site QR codes, and fans will be able to apply via social media. Basically, if you want to try and get involved, there should be plenty of ways to do so.

Who won 'Squid Game: The Challenge' season 1?

Tudum says approximately 81,000 people applied for "Squid Game: The Challenge" season 1. That group was then whittle down to 456 contestants, but only one could win.

That lucky competitor was 55-year-old Mai Whelan (Player 287), who beat fellow finalist Phill Cain (Player 451) to the $4.56 million prize in what's got to be the most dramatic game of rock, paper, scissors ever played.

Still hunting for a show to replace "Squid Game" on your watchlist? Be sure to check out our guide to the best shows and movies to watch after "Squid Game", or our overall round-up of the best Netflix shows for tons more streaming suggestions.

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Warning: This article contains spoilers for "Squid Game" season 3.

If you haven’t finished, or even started, "Squid Game" season 3, then here’s a word of warning: Avoid Netflix’s official social media accounts right now.

In its infinite wisdom, the streaming service has taken to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to spoil the finale episode of "Squid Game" season 3 around 72 hours after the popular series returned for its final run of six episodes. As somebody who hasn’t binge-watched it yet, I’m pretty unhappy.

You can see the post in question below (spoiler warning, obviously), and my colleague, who has already polished off the season, informs me that not only is the surprise cameo from Hollywood titan Cate Blanchett part of the final episode, but it’s the very last scene of the very last episode!

Considering the show’s third (and final) season only debuted last week, on Friday, June 27, this feels like a huge blunder on Netflix’s part. I personally haven’t had the chance to start watching yet, as I was on vacation last week, and while I live in the real world, so I knew that spoilers could crop up on social media at any moment, I never expected Netflix itself to do the spoiling.

I’m sure it would have been a pretty cool reveal to witness unspoiled, but thanks to Netflix’s ridiculously rash social media post, I guess I’ll never know how I would have reacted to the moment. I probably need to take a “sick” day now to quickly binge the whole season because the streaming service might just spoil all the major character deaths next.

In my opinion, this social media post speaks to Netflix's approach to its content. Watching six episodes in 72 hours isn’t exactly an impossible task (assuming you don’t, you know, have weekend plans, or other life commitments), and I’m sure many subscribers have finished "Squid Game" season 3 already, but to post a major spoiler just a few days after the premiere suggests the streaming service views its content as completely disposable — something to be consumed as quickly as possible, never savored, or enjoyed over a longer period.

Has this post made me want to skip "Squid Game" season 3? No, I’m a huge fan of the show, and I’m still looking forward to getting started on the finale season (trust me, I’ll be watching it sooner rather than later now). But this has left a pretty sour taste in my mouth. I’m shocked Netflix didn’t even give me the chance to watch it with fresh eyes before spoiling what I’m sure is one of the season’s most memorable (and sure to be most talked about) moments.

Let’s just say, later in the year when "Stranger Things" final season drops, I’ll be either watching it all on release day, or failing that, at least temporarily unfollowing Netflix across social media to avoid having that much-anticipated finale ruined in a similar fashion. Apparently, Netflix does not care if you have other things going on in your life; you must binge its biggest shows in days.

And for those who have already watched “Squid Game” season 3, check out our comprehensive coverage, which dissects the show’s most “emotional chapter” in full detail. Oh, and don’t worry, unlike Netflix, we’ve marked spoilers so you won’t have anything ruined if you're still making your way through the show.

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All six episodes of “Squid Game” season 3 are now streaming on Netflix, and that means the deadly competition is back for one final round.

Whether you're watching it right now or planning to binge it at a later date, we’re kicking off our live coverage of the show’s epic conclusion right here.

As fans around the world press play, I’ll be breaking down every major twist, shocking moment, and character arc as the season unfolds. Expect real-time episode reactions, a closer look at returning players, and plenty of internet chatter as social media lights up with theories and spoilers.

I’ll also be rounding up early reviews from critics, tracking audience response, and flagging anything you might have missed.

So whether you're watching alongside us or just want to keep up with the carnage without jumping in yet, this live blog has you covered. Let’s see what the final chapter of “Squid Game” has in store for us.

Spoiler warning: This live blog will feature spoilers for each episode of "Squid Game" season 3. All spoiler-heavy posts will be clearly marked so you can scroll safely.

Previously on ‘Squid Game’

Three years after surviving the original games, Gi‑hun (Lee Jung-jae) returns not for money, but with a mission: to dismantle the Squid Game organization from within.

He infiltrates the deadly competition and meets new players, including Hyun‑ju (Park Sung-soo), Myung‑gi (Yim Si-wan), Dae‑ho (Kang Ha-neul), Geum-ja (Kang Ae-shim), and pregnant Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri). He also discovers that his best friend, Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan), has joined the games this time too.

Soon, Gi-hun rallies his allies and orchestrates a rebellion aimed at stopping the games once and for all.

Their daring plan involves smuggling weapons and taking over the control room, but rebellion turns to chaos. The Front Man (disguised as Player 001 Hwang In-ho) reveals himself as the saboteur who has been facilitating the rebellion’s failure. At the critical moment, he betrays Gi‑hun’s group, killing Jung‑bae and scattering the revolt.

Meanwhile, Detective Jun‑ho (Wi Ha-joon), presumed dead, is rescued at sea — but betrayed by Captain Park, who is revealed as another mole working for the games. Jun-ho just doesn’t know it yet.

No‑eul (Park Gyu-young) is introduced in episode 2 as a surprising twist — a North Korean defector who, in desperate search of her lost daughter, becomes a masked sniper in the Squid Game’s guard ranks rather than a contestant.

“Squid Game” season 3 picks up immediately after these devastating events of season 2. Gi-hun finds himself at a critical crossroads, grappling with guilt and despair following the collapse of his rebellion and the loss of his close friend, Jung-bae. Determined yet emotionally shattered, Gi-hun must navigate a new set of deadly games that test not only his physical endurance but also his moral compass.

Reviews are going live, so here’s mine

In my review, I wrote that “Squid Game” season 3 took my soul. And I mean it.

After feeling that “Squid Game” season 2 lacked the impact of the original, I was cautiously optimistic about this final season, but thankfully season 3 truly exceeded my expectations. Picking up directly where season 2 left off, the familiarity with the setup makes every moment hit harder. The games are darker and more emotionally devastating than ever before, stripping away the earlier chaotic or absurd tones in favor of raw, intense tension that had me hiding behind my hands in anxiety rather than fear.

One of the strongest aspects of season 3 is its deep dive into character-driven storytelling. Gi-hun’s emotional and mental toll is obvious: this isn’t the scrappy hero we knew but a man grappling with grief and exhaustion.

Meanwhile, new characters introduced in season 2 — like Hyun-ju, Geum-ja, and Jun-hee — take center stage with compelling arcs that feel fresh and add new layers to the story. We also get meaningful developments with No-eul and Jun-ho, although some of their storylines felt stretched or repetitive at times.

While the games remain the season’s highlight, some side plots and the VIPs’ appearances detract from the overall tone, occasionally feeling campy or unnecessary. Still, the shocking twists, brutal new games (especially the jump rope challenge), and shifting alliances keep the season gripping. Season 3 serves as a bold, emotional, and fitting conclusion to a series that’s always been about the fragile line between humanity and survival. Just be ready, it’s a rollercoaster that might leave you reaching for the tissues.

Gi-hun’s journey so far

From struggling everyman to haunted hero, Seong Gi‑hun (Player 456) has undergone a powerful transformation. In season 1, he entered the games as a desperate, debt-ridden father searching for a lifeline. His compassion surfaced in his efforts to help others, even as lives were lost around him.

Emerging victorious, Gi‑hun returned home with the prize, but found it hollow when he discovered his mother had died and his daughter had moved away.

Haunted by survivor’s guilt, season 2 finds him consumed by trauma and rage. He invests his winnings into a small army, determined to expose the Squid Game recruiters. Though he leads a rebellion within the game, the uprising collapses, and a crushing betrayal by the Front Man leaves him kneeling beside Jung‑bae’s lifeless body.

Now, as season 3 begins, he's battered, emotionally fragile, but more resolved than ever to confront the game’s architects.

Season 3, episode 1 reaction — SPOILERS

Spoilers for "Squid Game" season 3, episode 1 below.

Okay, “Squid Game” season 3 really wastes no time throwing us into the deep end. First, we find out that Gyeong-seok is actually alive, and it was No-eul who shot him at the end of season 2. She tells him to stay quiet and pretend to be dead — part of her plan to keep him alive and help him escape the games.

Even though I saw this coming, I was still relieved to see that Gyeong-seok didn't meet his demise, and that there's a bigger chance he'll be reunited with his sick daughter back home.

On the outside, Jun-ho is still searching for the island with his team, but he’s finally starting to grow suspicious of the Captain (thankfully, because this storyline feels incredibly repetitive). Meanwhile, after being carried back into the players' living quarters in a black box, Gi-hun wakes up and has a full-blown breakdown. And honestly, who can blame him? This was one of the best scenes.

This episode is titled “Keys and Knives,” and that’s the theme of the next game. Players use a gumball machine that releases either a blue or red ball — splitting them into two teams. The blue team gets keys that open doors around the arena: they have to either hide until the end or find the escape door. The red team gets knives, and their job is to kill at least one blue player to survive. Players can choose to swap teams if they want before heading in.

Gi-hun, still blinded by grief and rage, keeps shooting daggers at Dae-ho across the room. He’s furious that Dae-ho failed to bring back guns and instead backed out of the fight. Gi-hun blames him for the collapse of their plan — and for his best friend’s death.

Episode 1 is off to a great start. We see each player wrestle with their team dynamic and the horror of the new rules. But the best part? We finally see a different side of Gi-hun, one that’s full of rage. He’s kind of terrifying, but I love it.

Everything to know about Jun-hee (Player 222)

Kim Jun‑hee, played by Jo Yu‑ri, enters the games as a 24-year-old pregnant contestant burdened by crushing debt (she lost her savings in a crypto scam led by ex-boyfriend Myung‑gi) and driven by desperation to secure her and her baby’s future.

Her vulnerability peaks early in the season when she reunites with Myung‑gi after the “Red Light, Green Light” challenge: the encounter forces her to confront heartbreak while trying hard to maintain her composure.

Despite her fragile circumstances, Jun‑hee proves resourceful and clever. When forming a team for the six-legged pentathlon, she wins her group’s trust — not by fitting stereotypes, but by excelling in ddakji under pressure.

Later, when the vote on whether to continue the games turns chaotic, she chooses to quietly warn Myung‑gi of a brewing attack — a decision rooted in her maternal instinct and protective nature.

On Reddit, fans have mixed views, saying: “Low-key wish they gave Jun-hee a better storyline… but I hope she gets more character development in S3.” I can confirm that she does indeed get more screen time for the sake of building her character, and she’s easily one of the best characters this season.

Rotten Tomatoes score for season 3 revealed!

Drum roll please…. “Squid Game” season 3 currently has 90% on Rotten Tomatoes! Of course, this is likely to change the more reviews that go live, so expect some fluctuations over the coming days. But this is a really strong start, and I’d say it’s an accurate rating.

Most of these reviews mention that while the ending is a little weak, fans will (probably) still be satisfied with the show’s resolution. It's emotional, harrowing, and darker than before, with director Hwang's vision carrying it over the finish line.

Season 3, episode 2 reaction — SPOILERS

Spoilers for "Squid Game" season 3, episode 2 below.

This one had me basically holding my breath and reaching for tissues the entire time because dang, it’s essentially 60 minutes of sadness.

Titled “The Starry Night,” episode 2 confirms that Gyeong-seok survived his wounds, thanks to the doctor No-eul later shot. No-eul’s plan? Disguise him in a pink guard uniform to help him escape. It’s a short scene, but it finally pulled me into this side plot, especially since things are finally moving at a faster pace.

From there, we dive straight into the game that was introduced in episode 1. So much happens that I can’t even cover it all, but this episode really hones in on the remaining characters we care about. While Gi-hun is on a mission to hunt down Dae-ho (who’s on the blue team), the spotlight is mostly on Jun-hee, Hyun-ju, and Geum-ja as they work together to stay alive and find the escape door.

But of course, the most intense moment of the episode (and maybe the whole series) is Jun-hee giving birth in the middle of the game. The tension is unreal. Thankfully, both she and the baby make it out okay, and Hyun-ju manages to find the escape door. But just when you think they’re safe, Hyun-ju is fatally stabbed by Myung-gi, in the back.

Ah, Myung-gi. The same guy who claimed he only wanted to help Jun-hee is still completely blinded by greed. This episode flipped my opinion of him — I went from feeling bad for him to straight-up hating his character. And while we’re on the subject, I’m honestly glad Seon-nyeo was finally eliminated.

This episode ends with two shocking moments: Gi-hun strangling Dae-ho to death out of pure rage, and Geum-ja having to murder her son, Yong-sik, after he failed to eliminate a blue player and turned his sights on Jun-hee.

Episode 2 shook me the most this season. It’s harrowing, emotional, and unapologetically dark. But it also delivered some of the best character drama and storytelling the series has ever done.

Online reactions are positive, and I’m glad

Over on X (formerly Twitter), people are posting their reactions to the new episodes. While most viewers are expressing shock (and plenty of sadness), some are calling it proof that “Squid Game” is one of the best shows ever. Period.

Dexerto said simply: “After season 3, it’s clear Squid Game is the best TV show Netflix has ever made.”

Meanwhile, Aayush Sharma was impressed with the resolution, stating season 3 “proves to be a haunting, emotionally resonant finale to one of the most compelling survival dramas of this generation. The psychological depth, thrills, and high-stakes tension cement the finale as the darkest chapter of this twisted saga.”

The Hollywood Handle believes season 3 is the “worst season of the show.” But that’s not a bad thing. They said it’s still a “devastating, thrilling, and shocking experience with great photography and remarkable moments.”

Of course, it's important to watch the season and form your own opinion, but speaking from my experience watching it (and the reviews so far), it's well worth the ride.

The mysterious No-eul (Guard 011)

No-eul might not be a player in “Squid Game,” but she’s easily one of the show’s most emotionally complex characters. A former North Korean soldier, No-eul defected to the South after killing her commanding officer. But the escape came at a devastating cost — she lost both her husband and daughter in the process.

That grief and desperation shape everything she does, especially when she enters the games, not as a contestant, but as one of the pink guards.

Unlike most of the guards who operate with cold obedience, No-eul has a purpose: she’s trying to survive long enough to find her missing child. We learn in season 2 that she took the guard job intentionally, believing the payout could help fund her search.

In one of the most touching reveals, it turns out she had once worked as a children’s mascot, where she briefly bonded with Gyeong-seok’s daughter — which explains why she’s helping him.

Inside the games, No-eul doesn’t play by the usual rules. While most guards follow orders, she actively defies them. When others engage in a horrific organ-harvesting scheme, No-eul breaks rank — choosing to give dying players a quick, painless death rather than letting them suffer. That moral resistance earns her enemies, especially among the guards and the interim Front Man, but she never compromises.

In season 3, No-eul feels more important than ever. Her bond with Gyeong-seok, her resistance to the system, and her emotional core position her as an ally.

Season 3, episode 3 reaction — SPOILERS

Spoilers for "Squid Game" season 3, episode 3 below.

This episode, called “It’s Not Your Fault,” opens with a chilling montage: guards stuffing bodies into black boxes and executing any red players who didn’t get their one kill. But the most disturbing twist is that the pink guards carrying out this job are actually the VIPs, who wanted the chance to participate in the games themselves. Truly sickening, and a stark reminder of how far human depravity can go when wrapped in power and entertainment.

The awful Nam-gyu, who seemed to enjoy killing a little too much in episode 2, starts to unravel after losing his pills (or more accurately, Thanos’ pendant full of pills) in the previous arena. Cue the sweating, the shaking, and full-blown hallucinations.

I’m glad Geum-ja got more screen time this episode too. She’s completely broken over what she did to her son and begs the remaining players to just give up. Of course, they don't, but we get a heartbreaking scene between her and Gi-hun, where she asks him to protect Jun-hee and her baby. That’s when the tears really started for me.

Even worse, the next morning, the players wake to find Geum-ja has hung herself, consumed by guilt and grief. The shocking deaths just keep coming. There’s no time to process, and that’s the point.

We also finally get movement in the Jun-ho storyline, as his team closes in on the island. Woo-seok breaks into the Captain’s house and finds his pink guard uniform and a stash of cash. Progress! Meanwhile, No-eul confronts the mysterious Black Guard (the second-in-command under the Front Man) and it’s clear she’s stepping into even more dangerous territory.

And of course, the episode ends with a bang. The remaining players face their next game, and it's a big one: Jump Rope. It’s brutal. Nam-gyu meets his inevitable fate, and Gi-hun makes it across safely with the baby, though not without me shouting at the screen multiple times. Jun-hee’s broken ankle from the previous game means things aren’t looking good.

The only frustrating part? One of the players, 096, waits at the far end of the bridge just to mess with people. He either shoves them off or makes them stay put until they collapse. It’s horrifying, but it also shows just how far some players are willing to go to survive. Some of them are truly messed up.

What is up with Min-su?

I haven’t really mentioned Min‑su in this live blog yet because his character feels pretty overshadowed — his moments that are meant to be “big” just don’t land as hard as others. But here’s what you should know:

Timid and fearful, Min‑su is the prototype of the nervous underdog. He aligns early with Thanos and Nam‑gyu, mostly trying to stay invisible. Yet even then, we see glimpses of something more, like when he tries to help Gyeong‑su despite pressure from the bullies.

His storyline peaks during the “Mingle” game: under stress, he betrays Se‑mi by choosing scissors in rock-paper-scissors, leaving her to survive alone. Then comes the worst moment — he freezes when Nam‑gyu murders Se‑mi, so frozen that he can’t even intervene as she dies in front of him. That hesitation built around his guilt and fear is the core of his arc.

Behind the scenes and among fans, there’s even a theory that Min‑su might secretly be one of the VIPs, thanks to a coincidental actor name overlap, though I can confirm this is not true.

[MINOR SPOILERS] So far, in season 3, Min-su has stolen the pills from Nam‑gyu during the hide and seek game, and is now hooked on them. In fact, he appears to be somewhat confident within himself, but none of that confidence is real.

Need a break from the chaos? Watch this wholesome cast interview

If you’re making your way through “Squid Game” season 3 and finding it a bit emotionally heavy (understandable, honestly), here’s a fun little cast interview to lift your spirits. Sometimes, it's all you need after a devastating episode.

Season 3, episode 4 reaction — SPOILERS

Spoilers for "Squid Game" season 3, episode 4 below.

Goodbye, Jun-hee. This episode, fittingly titled “222,” marks the end of one of the most beloved characters. I did not see it coming.

I was firmly in the camp that believed she and her baby would survive the games. I really did. But clearly, the show had other plans. My jaw was on the floor when Jun-hee, realizing she physically couldn’t make it across the bridge because of her ankle, chose her own fate and jumped. Before doing so, she gives Gi-hun a heartbreaking speech, asking him to take care of her little girl.

My heart: still broken.

The rest of the episode takes a darker turn. Woo-seok, after being arrested for breaking into the Captain’s house, manages to call Jun-ho just in time to confirm their suspicions. Moments later, the Captain goes full-on rogue, killing the entire team (injuring one) aboard the ship, until Jun-ho finally puts him down. Again, progress!

We’re then thrown into a familiar setting from season 1 — the dinner scene. The remaining players are dressed in black suits and served a formal meal. Then comes the twist: the pink guards reveal the next game’s stakes. The group can choose to eliminate three players in the next round. It’s clearly a tactic to force them to keep playing, spurred on by VIP concerns that the players would quit.

But what really hits hard is that Jun-hee’s baby has officially been entered into the game, now replacing her as Player 222. The image of a literal baby being treated like a contestant is disturbing enough, but it’s even worse seeing other players actually consider killing her. Could humanity sink any lower?

Meanwhile, No-eul and Gyeong-seok escape to the boat and begin fleeing the island. But over the walkie-talkie, the Black Guard delivers a message: if they keep going, Gyeong-seok’s daughter will pay the price. No-eul makes the gut-wrenching choice to head back, telling Gyeong-seok to keep driving and not look back, because someone has to end this nightmare for good.

And finally, the biggest moment of episode 4 is when Gi-hun comes face-to-face with the Front Man. He removes his mask, revealing that he’s In-ho. I expected more shock from Gi-hun, considering In-ho pretended to be a player and killed Jung-bae, but at this point, he’s probably tired of acting surprised.

'Squid Game' creator says season 3 ‘brings out the bottom parts of human nature’

Hwang wasn’t exaggerating when he said season 3 would be incredibly dark. It’s been borderline traumatizing so far.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, the “Squid Game” creator, writer, and director leaned into that grim tone even more, sharing fresh insight into what fans can expect as the brutal story races toward its conclusion: “In the case of season 3, I wanted to introduce games that could really show the lowest bottom of human beings, because the series itself is reaching its climax. I wanted very intense games to bring out the bottom parts of human nature.”

He continued: “In season 1, we had lots of games like Tug of War that really utilized height and the fear that this height gives, but in the case of season 2, we didn't have that element. That is why in season 3, I decided to introduce games that could really infuse fear in people with sheer height.”

Well, I can confidently say that the worst parts of humanity are shown in this season. To the point that certain scenes will leave you shook.

Season 3, episode 5 reaction — SPOILERS

Spoilers for "Squid Game" season 3, episode 5 below.

Oh, it’s getting even more intense now.

During Gi-hun and In-ho’s final conversation, In-ho says that if Gi-hun kills the remaining players in their sleep right now, he and the baby can walk out as winners. Then we flash back to In-ho’s past — turns out, he was given the same choice, and he went through with it, killing everyone in his sleep. That moment likely marked the start of his transformation into the Front Man.

Gi-hun seriously considers it (he even holds a knife to Im Jeong-dae’s neck) but ultimately decides not to go through with it. Because deep down, he’s still a good person. That’s even reinforced by a hallucination of Sae-byeok from season 1, who reminds him that he's better than this.

Now, we’ve reached the final game, ever. There are three towering podiums, and in each round, someone must be pushed off. There are three rounds in total, and each has to be completed within 15 minutes. Nim-su is the first to go, pushed off by a hardened Myung-gi using a pole. But not before hallucinating Thanos, Nam-gyu, and Se-mi. A final moment of guilt and reckoning.

Also, is it just me, or is Myung-gi giving off major Sang-woo vibes?

Soon, the group decides that either Gi-hun or the baby needs to go next. They form a wall to separate them, but Gi-hun pulls a knife and threatens everyone. Surprisingly, Myung-gi suddenly sides with Gi-hun, either out of guilt or because he’s been playing the others all along. But just when things seem somewhat steady, chaos erupts. A full-on fight breaks out, and everyone, including Jeong-dae, ends up dead. That leaves just three: Gi-hun, Myung-gi, and the baby. And one of them has to go next round.

Meanwhile, in the side plots: Jun-ho rescues Gyeong-seok from pink guards chasing him down at sea. And No-eul, back on the island, burns all traces of her and Gyeong-seok from the archives before taking on the Black Guard in a brutal fight and killing him.

Now, all that’s left is the finale.

Season 3, episode 6 reaction — SPOILERS

Spoilers for "Squid Game" season 3, episode 6 below.

The final episode has arrived, making this a very sad moment.

I’ll do a proper recap/explanation in the next post, but I wanted to say that while the finale is one of the weaker episodes, it’s still incredibly impactful.

The final episode doesn’t offer any comfort or easy answers — it just leans all the way into the bleakness and forces you to sit with it. That’s what made it so powerful for me. It wasn’t about shock for the sake of it; it was about showing just how far people can fall when survival is all that’s left. I didn’t want or expect a happy ending, but even so, the final moments still hit like a punch to the gut.

Plus, I kind of expected Gi-hun to die (sacrifice himself). And so it was harrowing to see that actually play out. Lee Jung-jae did an incredible job at playing one of the most beloved characters of all time.

Season 3 ending, explained — who is the winner? (SPOILERS)

Major spoilers for “Squid Game” season 3 ahead.

The ending of “Squid Game” season 3 delivers one final, devastating twist — the winner of the games is Jun-hee’s baby.

In the last game, only Gi-hun, Myung-gi, and the baby remain. Faced with an impossible choice, Gi-hun sacrifices himself, refusing to let an innocent life be lost. Myung-gi falls during the chaos, and the baby is crowned the winner. It’s a heartbreaking but powerful conclusion that reflects Gi-hun’s final act of humanity, which is a rejection of everything the games stand for.

Jun-ho manages to break into the facility, catching one list glimpse of his brother (Front Man), who is about to escape with the baby.

After the Front Man escapes, he ensures some of the prize money is given to Gi-hun’s daughter. Meanwhile, Jun-ho is granted custody of the baby (along with a majority of the money), and No-eul gets a promising call that her daughter may be in China, so she catches a flight there. Gyeong-seok has been reunited with his daughter.

But the most shocking reveal is saved for the very end: a cameo from Cate Blanchett hints that we could see more of the universe in an American version. She appears to be playing the recruiter.

It’s not a neat or happy ending, but it’s one that stays true to the show’s message.

Who dies in season 3? (SPOILERS)

Major spoilers for “Squid Game” season 3 ahead.

Here are the major characters who die in “Squid Game” season 3, in the order their deaths impact the story:

• Dae-ho (Player 388) is tragically killed by Gi‑hun during the first game (a twisted Hide-and-Seek), driven by Gi‑hun’s rage and grief over the failed rebellion.
• The Shaman (Player 044) is stabbed by Min‑su during the same game while Min‑su struggles with drug-induced hallucinations.
• Hyun-ju (Player 120) dies from a stab wound inflicted by Myung-gi as she tries to protect fellow contestants.
• Yong-sik (Player 007) meets a heartbreaking end at the hands of his own mother, Geum-ja, during the Hide-and-Seek chaos.
• Geum-ja (Player 149), devastated by her actions and loss of Yong-sik, takes her own life between games.
• Nam-gyu (Player 124) falls to his death during the “Jump Rope” game after chasing a pill pendant thrown by Min‑su.
• Jun-hee (Player 222), burdened by her broken ankle, chooses to end her life by jumping from the rope bridge, passing her player status on to her newborn.
• Min‑su and Gi‑hun’s fellow finalists all perish in the final game, leaving only Gi‑hun, Myung‑gi, and the baby alive.
• Myung-gi (Player 333) dies in the final showdown during the last game, falling from the platform as he tries to seize the baby.
• Finally, Gi‑hun (Player 456) sacrifices himself in the climactic final round to ensure the baby is safe.

What that shocking cameo means for ‘Squid Game’ (SPOILERS)

Major spoilers for “Squid Game” season 3 ahead.

In the final moments of “Squid Game” season 3, there’s a surprising cameo from Cate Blanchett — yes, the same Cate who recently made waves by saying she might step away from acting.

It’s likely this cameo was filmed long before that news broke, so there’s no telling if she’ll return for any future spinoffs. But in this brief appearance, she’s shown in LA playing ddakji, seemingly recruiting a new contestant — strongly hinting that the games are expanding to the U.S. and that an American version could be on the horizon.

There have been strong rumors about an American “Squid Game” spinoff following season 3, and Blanchett’s surprise cameo as a recruiter in L.A. will only add fuel to the speculation. Reports suggest Netflix is developing a U.S.-based series, potentially directed by David Fincher and written by Dennis Kelly, under the tentative title “Squid Game: America.”

However, back in early 2024, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos dismissed plans for a remake, calling it “just a rumor.” Still, insiders claim development has been quietly underway for a while.

As of now, neither Netflix nor Fincher has officially confirmed anything. But with Blanchett’s cameo, it’s looking more likely that this is a strategic teaser for an American spinoff, rather than just a standalone scene. Why else would this surprising scene be included?

The director sheds some light on that cameo (SPOILERS)

Major spoilers for “Squid Game” season 3 ahead.

Director Hwang, when speaking to Netflix, said: “We thought having a woman as a recruiter would be more dramatic and intriguing. And as for why Cate Blanchett, she’s just the best, with unmatched charisma. Who doesn’t love her? So we were very happy to have her appear. We needed someone who could dominate the screen with just one or two words, which is exactly what she did.”

Hwang then continued, “If Gong Yoo is the Korean Recruiter, I thought she would be the perfect fit as the American Recruiter, bringing a short but gripping and impactful ending to the story.”

The Front Man lowers his window to find a sharply dressed Cate Blanchett in the middle of a ddakji game with a desperate-looking man tucked away in an alley. She lifts her gaze, briefly locking eyes with the Front Man in a silent moment of recognition. Without a word, he drives off, leaving Blanchett to refocus on her opponent, who, naturally, refuses to give up and begs for another round.

Hwang was especially impressed with Blanchett’s limited screen time: “During the shoot, she reminded me of what true talent looks like. Even with just a few looks and lines, her performance was mesmerizing. She was amazing at playing ddakji. I believe she successfully flipped the ddakji with her first try, and we were able to get that one long take right away.”

Other surprise appearances in season 3 (SPOILERS)

Major spoilers for “Squid Game” season 3 ahead.

Aside from the shocking Blanchett cameo, season 3 saw the return of characters who had died in previous seasons, but in the form of hallucinations and flashbacks.

During Gi‑hun’s breakdown (in which he considered killing everyone in their sleep), he flashes back to a pivotal conversation with Sae‑byeok in season 1, where she tells him, “You’re not that kind of person.” That memory stops him from taking a life just to win, reminding him of who he was before the games shattered him.

Min-su also faced various hallucinations during his withdrawal from the pills. He saw Thanos and Nam-gyu holding onto the podium’s ledge in episode 5, where they screamed hurtful things at him, representing all the qualities Min-su feared.

Then, just before he’s pushed off by Myung-gi, he hallucinates Se-mi one last time as she extends her hand to him.

That’s pretty much it for “surprise” appearances, and it was nice to see these characters return even briefly, considering the impact they had on both Gi-hun and Min-su.

Every game in ‘Squid Game’ season 3 explained (SPOILERS)

Major spoilers for “Squid Game” season 3 ahead.

Here are all the known games featured in “Squid Game” season 3, including how they work and their difficulty level:

1. Hide and Seek

Season 3, episode 2 introduces a brutal twist on the classic game of Hide and Seek. This time, the “seekers” are armed with knives, while the “hiders” are given keys (each shaped like a circle, triangle, or square) that can unlock various doors scattered throughout a sprawling, multi-level maze.

The hiders get a short head start to find a hiding spot or escape, while the seekers have 30 minutes to hunt them down. If the seekers fail to eliminate anyone within that time, they’re the ones who face death.

While it sticks to the core mechanics of the traditional game, the stakes are much deadlier. What follows is a nerve-wracking round of stealth, pursuit, and sudden violence — once a seeker finds a hider, it usually ends in a quick and bloody confrontation.

2. Jump Rope

Season 3, episode 3 introduces a new challenge that plays off the infamous Glass Bridge from season 1. This time, contestants must cross a narrow bridge interrupted by a gap in the middle, all while a heavy, fast-moving “jump rope” sweeps across the path, spinning faster and faster. To make it across, players have to carefully time their movements: running and jumping in sync with the rotating obstacle.

The real danger doesn’t come from the game itself, but from other contestants who start pushing people off the bridge. In the end, it’s not the mechanics of the game that prove most lethal — it’s the brutal instincts of the players.

3. Sky Squid Game

It wouldn’t feel right if the show didn’t end with Squid Game. This new version features three massive platforms shaped like a square, triangle, and circle. The main rule? One person must be pushed off while still alive for the rest of the group to advance.

If no one gets shoved off before time runs out, everyone dies. However, there’s a catch: the timer doesn’t actually start until someone steps on a pressure button, giving players unlimited time to strategize beforehand. In the center is a long metal pole, clearly meant for pushing someone to their doom.

So, what’s actually next for ‘Squid Game’?

Director Hwang has made it clear that although the central storyline wraps up with the third season, he's expressed interest in expanding the “Squid Game” world through a spinoff series. Specifically, he’s intrigued by the three‑year gap between seasons 1 and 2, viewing it as fertile ground to explore what the recruiters, guards, or figures like Captain Park were doing behind the scenes during that time.

When speaking to Entertainment Weekly, he said: “I actually had this faint ideation about possibly a spinoff — not a sequel, but maybe a spinoff about the three-year gap. What were the recruiters, the masked men, or Captain Park doing during that time? What was life like for them outside the games?”

Unsurprisingly, Netflix would likely want to keep the saga going after the show’s massive popularity. However, Hwang has been under tremendous stress throughout its production (so much so that he actually lost multiple teeth!). At the moment, he’s stepping back to recover, though he hasn’t completely ruled out revisiting the universe he built.

'Squid Game' creator explains why [spoiler] is the winner

Major spoilers for “Squid Game” season 3 ahead.

Season 3’s shocking victor isn’t a hardened killer but Player 222 — a baby.

"Squid Game" creator/director Hwang Dong-hyuk told Tudum that the choice was no accident. The infant represents Gi-hun’s “humanity and conscience,” rediscovered in his final act of sacrifice.

Faced with killing the baby or himself, Gi-hun chooses to die so she can live, proving there’s still a glimmer of hope in even the bleakest world.

Hwang explains he wanted viewers to reflect on their own values. “No matter how hopeless and dark the world may seem, perhaps we still have a chance if we can find even a glimpse of hope within ourselves,” he said.

“Rather than seeking something from or in others, I hope we can reflect on our own values and whether we have faith in ourselves, so we can build on the good within us.”

Viewers are divided over 'Squid Game' season 3

It's still too early to say definitively how "Squid Game" season 3 is being received by audiences, but we can check the Rotten Tomatoes page for an update.

So far, the audience score for season 3 is 50% after 250+ ratings. That's inferior to season 2 (65%) and much weaker than season 1 (83%).

Debora B. wrote, "The first and second seasons were great and sensational. But the third seems like they just wanted to quickly end the characters’ stories to finish the series once and for all."

"Words can’t even describe how disappointed I was with this season. It felt so rushed," Damon C. posted.

And Maki_K sums it up for many of fans: "WHAT IS THIS ENDING."

Still recovering after watching season 3? Here's another happy interview

Still emotionally wrecked after the season 3 finale? Same. If you need something to make you laugh, here’s a lighthearted cast interview.

'Squid Game' season 3 is now No. 1 on Netflix

"Squid Game" season 3 has officially claimed the top spot on Netflix, but that's no surprise. After all, season 1 holds the title of most-watched Netflix series ever, with a staggering 1.65 billion hours viewed in its first 28 days, and 265 million views in its first month. That's more than any other show on the platform.

So it’s no wonder fans are binge-watching the final chapter at lightning speed.

Whether you’ve just started episode one or already finished the finale (and are still emotionally recovering), the show’s No.  1 ranking proves just how powerful this series still is. This season hits hard and goes darker than ever. I'm still thinking about it.

Stream "Squid Game" season 3 on Netflix now.

Even 'Squid Game's' leads were surprised by (SPOILERS) cameo

Major spoilers for “Squid Game” season 3 ahead.

One of this season's biggest bombshells was the reveal of a Hollywood A-lister's cameo. In Season 3's final moments, two-time Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett is shown recruiting potential American players to join the show's eponymous death game, teasing a potential spin-off stateside.

In the behind-the-scenes "Squid Game in Conversation," which you can also catch on Netflix, series leads Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun reveal that even they were unaware of Blanchett's involvement while filming.

"That was a surprise. No one told me about it," said Lee Jung-jae, who plays Seong Gi-hun.

"In the end, though, because of scheduling, Cate Blanchett, she's one of my favorite actors, but I didn't even get to say hello," said Lee Byung-hun, who plays Hwang In-ho. "She and I shot that final scene separately since it's just the camera cutting back and forth between us. I couldn't say hi because once we shot it, we had to go."

Lee Jung-jae shares his thoughts on that shocking finale

When speaking with Entertainment Tonight, Lee Jung-jae (who plays the lead character Gi-hun), said: "It was an ending I could have never expected or predicted. I remember thinking, oh, you know, there could be an ending like this. And I remember being in awe of it.

"As someone who has portrayed Gi-hun for a long time, and who has been in Squid Game for that long amount of time, it still shocked me. Story wise, I thought that the ending was very deep and sensational, and I remember just being almost numb for a while after reading it [the script]. I had to take some time to really pick myself up from that again."

Honestly, if Lee needed a moment to recover after reading the ending, then no wonder we’re all struggling to process it too.

Eagle-eyed fans spot clue that teased (SPOILER'S) death ahead of season 3

(Major spoilers for “Squid Game” season 3 ahead)

One of the most devastating moments of Season 3 came in episode 2 when the heavily expectant Player 222 (Jo Yu-ri) falls to her death soon after delivering her baby during a lethal rendition of Hide and Seek.

As heart-wrenching as her demise was, eagle-eyed "Squid Game" fans have noticed that a promo image may have teased her fate ahead of time. In the photo, she's standing in a room surrounded by children's art of aquatic critters, the most prominent of which is a giant orange octopus.

"There's an Octopus behind her, and Octopuses die after giving birth," one Reddit user points out on the "Squid Games" subreddit.

And it's true, female octopuses die soon after laying their eggs, a process known as semelparity. Granted, it could be a coincidence given the room's underwater theme. But it's a believable theory nonetheless.

Bad news for potential 'Squid Games' spin-off

"Squid Game" season 3 ended with one hell of a cameo that seemed to leave the series open for potential spin-offs. But despite this setup, Netflix currently has no plans to announce a "Squid Game" spin-off at this time, Variety reports .

According to sources Variety spoke with at the streamer, Netflix is still "considering next steps for the IP." Though given the series's success and high-profile cameo, it's hard to imagine this is Netflix's last outing with "Squid Game."

Stream "Squid Game" season 3 on Netflix now.

Wow. That’s the only word I could manage after each episode of “Squid Game” season 3 ended. And considering I’m someone who loves to immediately unpack what just happened, that’s saying a lot. So yes, I can officially confirm: Season 3 is emotionally devastating in all the right ways.

“Squid Game” isn’t just another Netflix hit but one of the most popular shows in the platform’s history. Season 1 alone racked up a staggering 1.65 billion hours viewed globally within its first 28 days. (And yes, I contributed to that number with the number of times I rewatched it.)

Naturally, expectations for season 2 were sky-high. While it didn’t hit quite as hard as the first, it still took the story in bold, unexpected directions.

Now, with season 3 finally here, I can confidently say it surpasses the previous installment. I was left speechless more often than not and emotionally wrecked by the end. One of the most striking things about this season is how director Hwang Dong-hyuk kept the show’s emotional core intact and took it even further. And true to his promise, this season dives straight into “the bottom parts of human nature.”

“Squid Game” season 3 is all about being human in a cruel landscape, and how Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) fights to preserve the good within himself. If you’re curious to know more, here are my honest thoughts on this final chapter (spoiler-free, of course).

‘Squid Game’ season 3 is the series at its most daring and devastating

Since the second season of “Squid Game” didn’t feel as impactful as the first, I was a little worried about how this final season would play out. But to my surprise, it’s some of the best TV I’ve seen in ages, and I’m still reeling.

Part of that is because season 2 didn’t tell a complete story. We were introduced to a new set of characters and games, and those episodes mainly existed to get us invested in them. We also dove deeper into the organization behind the games (including the Front Man) and explored how the players might plan an escape. Season 3 picks up right where that left off, and because we’re already familiar with the setup, everything that follows hits even harder.

I have to say, these games are the most emotionally devastating we’ve seen so far. In earlier seasons, the games had a more chaotic, sometimes even absurd tone, but this time, they’re simply dark. Their sole purpose is to drag out the worst in people, literally. Most of the time, I was hiding behind my hands. Not because I was scared, but because I was anxious about what might happen next.

The show has always had a knack for building tension, but I’m glad Hwang Dong-hyuk also leaned hard into character-driven storytelling this time. We see how Gi-hun is still grieving the death of his best friend, teetering on the edge of depression. And that makes everything feel more urgent because the brave, scrappy Gi-hun we’re used to is barely holding it together. He’s the glue keeping the group from falling apart.

That’s a huge reason why I love this season. We get a new side of Gi-hun, one that’s darker, angrier and stripped of the drive he once had. He’s mentally and emotionally drained, and honestly, it makes sense given everything he’s been through. “Squid Game” has always been about humanity and the idea that anyone can tip toward good or evil, depending on what the world puts them through.

Even though Gi-hun is a protagonist we’ve all come to love, I actually found myself even more drawn to some of the newer characters introduced in season 2, including Hyun-ju (Park Sung-hoon), Geum-ja (Kang Ae-sim), and Jun-hee (Jo Yuri). Their dynamic as a trio in season 3 is incredibly compelling, and it’s refreshing to watch characters navigate the games without Gi-hun leading the charge.

Most of all, season 3 doesn’t waste any time getting into the gritty stuff. There are new games to get stuck into, and when we’re not focused on the chaos, we’re seeing deeper character development — particularly with No-eul (Park Gyu-young), who’s navigating her role as a pink guard with renewed determination. We also check back in with Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun), who’s still out at sea, trying to track down the island.

There are plenty of shocking moments that take time to process, and as you can imagine, this season isn’t exactly cheerful in any way, shape, or form. But each one-hour episode is packed with enough tension and emotional weight to keep you hooked. This might just be one of the most emotional binge-watches I’ve ever had.

I’m glad that ‘Squid Game’ is ending here

“Squid Game” season 3 is excellent, but I’m glad the show isn’t being dragged out. Even in this final chapter, you can tell some side plots were overshadowed and stretched thin, which made it harder to stay fully engaged, especially when the real focus is, of course, on the main games and players.

No-eul did get some well-deserved screen time, along with a few moments that shed more light on her past. But even with that, a weaker script had her feeling like she was running in circles. By the time the darker, juicier parts of the games kicked in, other characters and their subplots lost momentum because all I could think was, “Wait, how does that game end?”

The same goes for Jun-ho and his team, including Woo-seok (Jun Suk-ho), who are trying to locate the island and bring down the games for good. At times, it honestly felt like scenes from season 2 were being recycled since their storyline didn’t move forward for a few episodes. Then suddenly, everything converges at once, and those storylines feel rushed.

And yes, while the games remain the strongest part of the season, some moments did start to feel repetitive, like players deciding whether to stay or leave or going through the same motions with food and rest. That’s part of why I’m relieved this is the final chapter.

Aside from the characters we really know, we’re once again introduced to the VIPs who take sick pleasure in watching the games. In the first season, they were a mysterious group I thought would be explored further, but unfortunately, their true motivations remain hidden. Honestly, I ended up getting tired of them.

What’s more, these VIPs made me sigh every time they appeared on screen. The performances almost crossed into campy territory, which really wasn’t the right tone for something so bleak. The constant switch between their annoying jokes and the brutal reality of the games felt jarring, and I just wanted them gone. They added nothing meaningful to this season, which is probably the biggest issue I had.

The only good thing about the VIPs was having the Front Man there, interacting with them and promising that these new rounds of games would be worth it. At least he brought a commanding presence.

Verdict: ‘Squid Game’ season 3 is a powerful ending to a great show

It’s sad knowing that season 3 marks the end, but as I mentioned earlier, it really does feel like the right place to wrap up a great Netflix show.

There are plenty of shocking twists and games that will (probably) leave you speechless — both in scale and in purpose. One standout? The jump rope game, which is arguably one of the most intense the series has ever delivered.

On top of that, season 3 quickly shifts how you feel about certain characters. People you rooted for in season 2 might not make your favorites list this time around. Honestly, there were a few I ended up genuinely hating, but that only made the season more gripping. As the games progress, the desperation kicks in, and characters become increasingly ruthless.

The only advice I would give is to mentally prepare yourself. I know I shed a few tears during certain revelations, but that’s to be expected. “Squid Game” has never exactly been a happy show.

Most of all, “Squid Game” season 3 is everything a final season should be — bold, emotional, and not afraid to push its characters (and viewers) to the edge. It still manages to leave a real impact and reminds you why this show blew up in the first place. Saying goodbye is bittersweet, but this final chapter proves it was always about what makes us human, and what we’re willing to lose (or protect) when everything’s at stake.

Don’t forget the tissues.

Stream "Squid Game" season 3 on Netflix now.

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I have to admit, watching the final “Squid Game” season 3 trailer hit me harder than I expected. After all the twists, heartbreak, and chaos over the past two seasons, I thought I was mentally prepared for whatever this show could throw at us. Spoiler alert: I wasn’t.

The trailer doesn’t just tease new games or violence but it also dives deep into the emotional fallout that’s been simmering beneath the surface, especially for Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who looks completely unravelled. If you’ve been following “Squid Game” from the start, you know it’s never just about the competition.

This final teaser ratchets all the tension up to eleven, showing us a Gi-hun who’s no longer just a survivor, but a man haunted by his past and consumed by anger. We'll get to see how this all plays out on Netflix starting June 27, 2025.

In this trailer, we get glimpses of mysterious new game styles including a maze-like challenge, ominous rope-jumping (with that eerie doll again), and team splits by color gumballs.

The emotional stakes in the trailer are raised even higher by a heartfelt monologue from Geum‑ja (Player 149), who asks, “Are you blaming yourself…?” This simple question reflects the heavy burden of guilt and regret that many players carry, making this moment one of the most powerful and humanizing glimpses we’ve seen so far in “Squid Game” season 3.

Most strikingly, Netflix included a brief montage of the previous seasons, which instantly makes this final chapter feel much more bittersweet. After watching the trailer a few times, I picked up on three key details that really stood out.

1. The VIPs’ return is downplayed, but telling

In the trailer, the VIPs make only a brief appearance, shown seated around a luxurious dinner table being served elaborate dishes. The scene is strikingly understated since there’s no dramatic spotlight or extended focus on them, which feels intentionally mysterious.

This subtle reintroduction does, however, feel deliberate, as if the showrunners are building suspense around their role rather than spelling it out. I wouldn’t be surprised if they were orchestrating something far more sinister than previous seasons — possibly expanding the games on a global scale or becoming more hands-on in controlling the chaos.

Unlike their previous role as distant spectators indulging in grotesque entertainment, the VIPs’ return might mean they are now active players in the unfolding nightmare. Gi-hun and his friends will have to pull off something incredible to stop these powerful figures and end the games for good.

2. The introduction of Chul-su in a deadly game

First teased in the post-credits scene of season 2, Chul-su is believed to be a male counterpart to Young-hee — the creepy animatronic girl who presided over the unforgettable Red Light, Green Light game.

Though we never get another look at Chul-su in the trailer, there’s a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment that strongly hints at his role in a new game: an ominous jump rope setup that looks anything but innocent.

Early fan theories speculated that Chul-su and Young-hee might be part of a deadly “train” game based on the Trolley Problem (which would have the two dolls pretending to be the trains, while the players are forced to lie in their paths).

But from what we see now, it turns out the challenge is likely a warped take on jump rope instead. Still, the presence of both dolls suggests it could involve more than just physical coordination.

3. Gi-hun's emotional turmoil could hint at his fate

One of the most immediate (but obvious) takeaways from the final trailer is just how different Gi-hun looks. Gone is the dazed survivor barely holding it together because what we see now is someone visibly fractured, yet burning with purpose. But it’s that exact determination that has fans like me worried.

Some viewers are speculating on Reddit that he might sacrifice himself to save Jun-hee’s (Jo Yu-ri) baby, or rather, save all of his friends in a final heroic act. While it seems totally plausible (and realistic) that he would die doing something good, I’m not sure whether the showrunners would actually go through with it considering he’s such a beloved character.

However, with his vow to “put an end to it,” the implication is clear: Gi-hun may be ready to give everything, including his life, if it means stopping the cycle of death once and for all. Whether or not that happens, the emotional groundwork is being laid, and it hurts already.

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• 'Squid Game' creator says season 3 will reveal the 'bottom parts of human nature'

We've already been pre-warned that "Squid Game" season 3 — the final installment of Netflix's hit South Korean dystopian thriller — will be a particularly dark chapter in the story of Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and the rest of our desperate players. Jo Yu-ri, who plays Jun-hee (player 222) in the series, called the grand finale a "truly unimaginably brutal and cruel story."

And "Squid Game" creator-writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk has doubled down on that dread in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, revealing new details about what fans can expect from the conclusion of the ruthless saga.

"In the case of season 3, I wanted to introduce games that could really show the lowest bottom of human beings, because the series itself is reaching its climax," Hwang tells the outlet. "I wanted very intense games to bring out the bottom parts of human nature."

The showrunner continued: "In season 1, we had lots of games like Tug of War that really utilized height and the fear that this height gives, but in the case of season 2, we didn't have that element. That is why in season 3, I decided to introduce games that could really infuse fear in people with sheer height."

Hwang also detailed how he gear-shifted his approach to both scope and story going into the third and final installment of the show.

"For season 1, I tried to focus on how there's intense competition going around in this extreme capitalistic society," he said. "In the case of season 2, I wanted to show how Gi-hun breaks the game's rules by trying to introduce this revolt of trying to upend the system, but then it ends in failure.

"And in the case of season 3, I wanted to take a slightly different approach — I wanted to focus on how [people] have to preserve their humanity amidst this intense competition in this capitalistic era. I wanted to focus on how we can preserve our sense of humanity and how we should remain humans even amidst this intense competition. I try to pose that as a final question."

All of those final questions will be answered on Friday, June 27 when "Squid Game" season 3 hits Netflix. Per the streamer, the synopsis for the final episodes reads: "Gi-hun persists with his goal to put an end to the game, while the Front Man continues onto his next move and the surviving players' choices will lead to graver consequences with each round. Can we hope for humanity in the cruelest of realities? Fans all over the world are counting the days until the final answer is revealed."

Tudum also expanded on that logline in May 2025, adding even more intel: "In-ho resumes his role as Front Man to welcome the mysterious VIPs, and his brother Jun-ho continues his search for the elusive island, unaware there’s a traitor in their midst."

Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all new information surrounding "Squid Game" season 3, including plot points, character details, viewership data and fresh teaser clips and stills.

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• ‘I’m so sick of Squid Game': Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk admits he's ready to move on from his Netflix hit

When “Squid Game” first hit Netflix, I remember watching that first episode on a whim and immediately texting everyone I knew. And now, years later, we're standing on the edge of the final chapter.

Netflix just dropped the first teaser for “Squid Game” season 3,. While it’s barely a minute long, it packs a punch.

This time, it’s a gumball machine at the center of the madness, spitting out red and blue balls for the next twisted round. The trailer sees Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) trapped in a box wrapped with a pink ribbon, chained up, surrounded by guards in pink jumpsuits. A knife-shaped hallway. A crying baby. You don’t need context or dialogue to feel the dread building.

The show returns on June 27, and if the teaser is anything to go by, the end of “Squid Game” will probably go out with a bang.

Check it out:

This final season is set to follow Gi-hun one last time as he tries to take down the games from the inside, even after his rebellion was crushed by the Front Man in season 2. That inevitable showdown between the two looms large, and this trailer hints at just how brutal and psychological it’s going to get.

Netflix also released a synopsis: “The third and final season of Squid Game follows Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) after losing his best friend in the game and being driven to utter despair by The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), who was hiding his true identity to infiltrate the game.

“Gi-hun persists with his goal to put an end to the game, while the Front Man continues onto his next move and the surviving players' choices will lead to graver consequences with each round. The world eagerly awaits to see the grand finale written and directed by Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who has vowed to bring the epic story to its deserved closure.

“Can we hope for humanity in the cruelest of realities? Fans all over the world are counting the days until the final answer is revealed.”

What else do we know about ‘Squid Game’ season 3?

Alongside the trailer and release, Netflix also dropped some new images, which you can find on the streamer’s Tudum page.

One of the most striking shots shows Gi-hun standing before a massive knife-shaped symbol, with the gumball machine ominously positioned at the center of the room. It’s just a theory, but the imagery feels deliberate, as if the knife hints at a game built around betrayal, where players may be forced to turn on one another and choose where their loyalties truly lie.

Jo Yu-ri, who plays Jun-hee (player 222) in “Squid Game” season 2, talked about what to expect in the final season when speaking with Cinema Today: “It seems like a lot of people have been predicting the contents of season 3, but it seems like not many of them have gotten it right as I thought. A truly unimaginably brutal and cruel story awaits, so please look forward to it.”

Just when it seemed like this Netflix show couldn’t get any darker. But let’s be real, “Squid Game” was never built on hope and happy endings to begin with.

Series director, writer, and executive producer Hwang Dong-hyuk is clearly bringing in some twists for season 3. It feels like things are finally coming full circle. The players are once again pulled into the competition, but this time the tension is higher, and the stakes are clearly more intense.

The third and final season of "Squid Game" launches on Netflix on June 27, 2025.

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After "Squid Game" season 2 ended things on a major cliffhanger, which — spoiler alert! — had viewers having to say a shocking farewell to a beloved character, it's not a surprise that fans of the smash-hit South Korean drama are now waiting with bated breath for the show's third and final season to arrive on Netflix. And, thankfully, it looks like the wait until that season 3 premiere won't be nearly as long as the three-year hiatus between seasons 1 and 2.

In fact, per Netflix, "Squid Game" season 3 will officially hit the streaming service on Friday, June 27. The short wait time between the season 2 finale and the new episodes is no doubt a result of seasons 2 and 3 being written and filmed back-to-back. (The show's creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, originally intended to write the seasons as one story, but decided to split it into two because it became too long.)

Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun will reprise their roles as Gi-hun and the Front Man, respectively, in season 3, and will be joined by returning actors including Wi Ha-joon, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon, Im Si-wan, Yang Dong-geun, Park Gyu-young and Jo Yu-ri, among others, as season 3 will resume the game of the second season.

"Picking up where the second season left off, Season 3 explores the choices Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) will make amidst overwhelming despair," reads a recent Netflix release. " As the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) plots his next move, the surviving players find their decisions leading to increasingly dire consequences with each round of the deadly games. This season promises to push the limits of suspense and drama, keeping viewers glued to the action."

Along with the season 3 release date, Netflix also dropped a new launch poster for the third season, which sees one of the Pink Soldiers dragging a bloodied contestant toward a coffin wrapped in a pink ribbon, while the sinister silhouettes of Young-hee and her companion Cheol-su ominously look on. "Prepare for the final game," reads the poster.

The streamer also teased the upcoming new season with some first-look stills of several characters, including Park Gyu-young as Kang No-eul and Lee Byung-hun as Front Man. You can check out the teaser photos below:

The second season of the Netflix hit proved as successful as its predecessor: as of this week, “Squid Game” season 2 became the second-most-watched non-English language TV series ever, with more than 173 million views and 1.2 billion hours viewed since its premiere on Dec. 26.

Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all new information surrounding "Squid Game" season 3, including plot points, character details, viewership data and fresh teaser clips and stills.

Waiting for “Squid Game” season 3 feels like torture, especially after that wild season 2 finale. But with this latest update, the anticipation has shifted, and now I’m more nervous than excited.

Jo Yu-ri, who plays Jun-hee (player 222) in “Squid Game” season 2, dropped a chilling hint about what to expect in the final season when speaking with Cinema Today: “It seems like a lot of people have been predicting the contents of season 3, but it seems like not many of them have gotten it right as I thought. A truly unimaginably brutal and cruel story awaits, so please look forward to it.”

The words “unimaginably brutal and cruel” really pack a punch (just when you thought this Netflix show couldn’t get any more ruthless). Honestly, it’s not a huge surprise, considering “Squid Game” has never exactly been sunshine and rainbows, especially for Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) who’s repeatedly lost everyone he cares about. It seems like his rage is about to reach new heights in season 3, and this time, it might just bring these twisted games to a definitive end.

Thankfully we don’t have too long to wait, because Netflix’s leak suggests that “Squid Game” season 3 could arrive as early as June 2025. But in the months leading up to it, I already know Jo Yu-ri’s ominous teaser is going to fuel my growing nerves about what's coming, and here’s why.

I’m not ready to lose more characters in ‘Squid Game’ season 3

Spoiler warning for those who haven't watched "Squid Game" season 2 yet!

As someone who gets way too attached to characters, my anxiety is through the roof knowing that many of the new faces introduced in season 2 are probably not going to make it to the final credits.

We’ve already lost a few, most heartbreakingly Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan), Gi-hun’s best friend who was tragically killed by the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) during the group’s desperate attempt to reach the control room and take over.

Jung-bae’s death at the end of season 2 feels like a grim prelude to the brutality still to come in “Squid Game” season 3, and honestly, I don’t think I’m ready. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk has once again given us a cast of characters we can’t help but root for, but with the games’ cruel nature (and the Front Man likely furious now) not everyone is going to make it out alive.

Personally, I’m clinging to hope that Jun-hee and Myung-gi (Yim Si-wan) will survive somehow, especially since they’re expecting a child, and Jun-hee is likely just days away from giving birth. But those words “unimaginably brutal and cruel” keep coming back to me, making me seriously fear for their fate. I’d like to believe “Squid Game” wouldn’t go that dark, but there’s an uneasy feeling that the worst is yet to come.

There’s a chance we won’t be left with Gi-hun as the sole survivor again (though that would be heartbreakingly dark, especially if he ends up sacrificing himself).

Another storyline that’s easy to overlook, given its limited screen time, is Jun-ho’s (Wi Ha-joon) mission to track down the island alongside a team of professionals. If he succeeds, all hell is bound to break loose, setting the stage for a full-scale war and a chilling reunion with his brother. The same goes for the mysterious pink guard No-eul (Park Gyu-young), who might end up switching sides.

If this leads to a savage showdown, I’m holding out hope that some survivors will make it to the end. But I’m keeping my expectations in check considering this is “Squid Game” we’re talking about, and creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has a talent for making us care deeply, only to shatter our hearts.

It’s this emotional investment that makes “Squid Game” so gripping and so devastating. The show isn’t just about the twisted games or shocking betrayals but about the fragile humanity of the players and the bonds they form under impossible circumstances. Knowing that those connections are likely to be torn apart in season 3 is heartbreaking.

I’m still excited to see ‘Squid Game’ season 3

Despite all the dread and heartbreak that “Squid Game” promises, I can’t deny that I’m still incredibly excited for season 3. The emotional intensity of the characters and the new twisted games we get to witness have always set this show apart, and I’m eager to see how it all concludes. Whether it’s Gi-hun’s journey potentially reaching its end or Jun-ho being the one to stop his brother, there’s no doubt the stakes will be higher than ever.

Sure, I’m bracing for tears and inevitable devastation based on what Jo Yu-ri teased, but that’s just what “Squid Game” does best. No matter how dark the final season gets, I know I’ll be watching and (probably) rewatching the first two seasons. Let’s just hope some of the more innocent characters get to see the light of day so my mental state isn't completely ruined!

In the meantime, watch these shows and movies like “Squid Game” while you wait for season 3. You can also check out our guide on the best Netflix shows to stream right now.

“Squid Game” seasons 1 and 2 are streaming on Netflix.

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"Squid Game" season 2, which debuted on Netflix on Thursday, Dec. 26, has some record-breaking pressure to live up to — the first season has pulled in a whopping 2.2 billion hours and 265.2 million views since premiering in September 2021, making it the most-watched show in Netflix history.

Will the seven episodes of the second season and its cast of new competitors reach similarly stratospheric TV heights? “I do have a lot on my shoulders, but I’ll make sure it’s worth the wait,” series creator Hwang Dong-Hyuk assured Netflix in 2023.

Happily for Hwang, season 2 of the South Korean dystopian drama garnered early critical acclaim, earning a 2025 Golden Globe nomination for Best Drama Series ahead of its release. The show has already hit No. 1 on Netflix, and it has an 85% Certified Fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes.

However, that figure is considerably higher than the more populist Popcornmeter, with audiences scoring "Squid Game" season 2 at 63% as of press time. And both scores fall short of season 1's metrics, which are holding steady at 90% Certified Fresh and a 74% Popcornmeter average from viewers.

The overall consensus among Rotten Tomatoes audience reviews seems to be that season 2 suffers from an abrupt ending, but we're presuming that the already in-the-works third season will wrap up those dangling storylines.

Hwang recently revealed that he originally envisioned seasons 2 and 3 as a single story, telling Entertainment Weekly ahead of the second season's premiere: "That's how I wrote it. But in the process, it came out to be too many episodes. So I thought it'd be better to divide it into two." That explains why the seasons were written and filmed back-to-back, as well as the shorter episode count for "Squid Game" season 2 (seven compared to the nine of its predecessor.)

If you haven't pressed play on the new eps just yet — here's how to watch Squid Game season 2 — the official synopsis for the second season reads: "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. Using this fortune to fund his search, Seong 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."

Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all new information surrounding "Squid Game" season 2 and season 3, including plot points, character details and viewership data.

"Squid Game" diehards will no doubt rejoice when the South Korean dystopian drama returns for its much-anticipated second season on Netflix on Thursday, Dec. 26 — given the mind-boggling success of the series' first season, it's clear that viewers can't get enough of the deadly competition or its players. (There will be even more of them this time around — get to know season 2's new characters.)

But, ironically, "Squid Game" creator Hwang Dong-hyuk might not share that same enthusiasm about the show's return.

In a recent interview with Variety, Hwang — who earned an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series in 2022, making him the first South Korean to win in that category, and is back as director and executive producer of the survival drama's second season — discussed how "challenging" it was making the show.

“I had no intention of doing a second season, because the overall process of writing, producing and directing the series was so challenging. I didn’t think to do another one,” Hwang told the outlet.

He added that he only continued with the second season as well as the third because of the "immense success" of its predecessor. The director previously revealed to Variety that he lost eight to nine teeth during production of the first season due to stress.

So it's not much of a shock that, once he's completed postproduction work on "Squid Game" season 3, Hwang is ready to say goodbye to the dystopian world he created.

“I’m so exhausted. I’m so tired. In a way, I have to say, I’m so sick of ‘Squid Game,’” Hwang shared in the Variety interview. “I’m so sick of my life making something, promoting something. So I’m not thinking about my next project right now. I’m just thinking about going to some remote island and having my own free time without any phone calls from Netflix.” (But "not the 'Squid Game' island," the filmmaker jokingly clarified.)

After the second season's batch of seven episodes premieres on Dec. 26, the "Squid Game" story will continue with the third and final season, coming in 2025.

“I am beyond excited to be writing this letter to announce the date for Season 2 and share the news of Season 3, the final season,” Hwang announced to fans after news of the double pick-up dropped. “The fierce clash between [Gi-hun and Front Man’s] two worlds will continue into the series finale with Season 3, which will be brought to you next year.”

As for season 2, the official synopsis reads: "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. Using this fortune to fund his search, Seong 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."

Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all new information surrounding "Squid Game" season 2, including fresh plot points, character details and any insights and intel from creator Hwang Dong-hyuk.

"Squid Game" season 2 is a must-watch show. The first season was a massive hit for Netflix and the early reviews for season 2 suggest that it's going to be a hit yet again. It even somehow already earned a Golden Globes nomination despite the fact that almost nobody has seen it yet.

However, there's a trick to watching this show properly, and those of you who have watched or rewatched season 1 probably already know what I'm going to say:

You need to turn on English subtitles.

'Squid Game' requires English subtitles

There are technically multiple versions of "Squid Game." There's an English language dubbed version and there's the original Korean version. Which version you watch makes a big difference.

When I first watched "Squid Game" season 1, my first reaction was "This dialogue is awful." My second reaction was "This is a dub. And a bad one."

So I immediately went into the settings and changed the audio to Korean [Original]. That was easy. But when I looked at the subtitles section, I had two options for English: English or English [CC]. And choosing the right version can change your experience entirely.

That's because English subtitles are an English translation of the original Korean dialogue. It's not always perfect, but it's as close to the original meaning of the dialogue as you can get without knowing Korean. English [CC] however, is an accessibility-focused subtitle option that adds speaker identification, sound effects, and music description based on the English dub. So if you choose English [CC], you're still getting the terrible dialogue from the English dubbed version.

So please, before you watch even a second of 'Squid Game season 2, go to your audio and subtitles settings and select Korean [Original] audio with English subtitles. If you do, then you'll get to enjoy this incredible show as it was intended. If you don't, you might be like I was after watching 10 minutes of episode 1, season 1, wondering why on Earth people were even watching this show. It truly makes that significant of a difference.

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When "Squid Game" season 2 drops on Netflix on Thursday, Dec. 26, fans of the South Korean dystopian drama will not doubt be pleased to see several returning faces from the show's stratospherically successful first season.

There's, of course, main character Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who is returning to the games after winning as Player 456 to take down the corrupt and horrifying competition from within.

Also back for season 2 is Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), the leader of the masked staff behind the game; Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun), a detective who sneaks into the game in search of his brother; and the Recruiter (Gong Yoo), the mysterious man in the suit who initially invited Gi-hun to participate in the competition in the first place.

And behind the scenes, Emmy-winning director Hwang Dong-hyuk is also back this time around to direct and executive produce all of the show's second season.

However, there are plenty of fresh faces entering the deadly games for season 2. Im Si-wan, a member of the South Korean boy band ZE:A, joins the cast as Lee Myung-gi (a.k.a. Player 333), a formerly a rich and successful YouTube star who lost his fortune in a cryptocurrency scam, which has also negatively affected his girlfriend Kim Jun-hee (Player 222), played by Jo Yu-ri. Kang Ha-neul appears as Dae-ho (Player 388), an ex-marine whose macho man persona hides a deep vulnerability; while Park Sung-hoon plays Cho Hyun-ju (Player 120), a transgender woman with hopes of using the Squid Game cash prize to fund her gender-affirming surgery.

Elsewhere, Lee Jin-wook will portray Gyeong-seok (Player 246), a desperate father who enters the games to win money for his young daughter, who is suffering from blood cancer and needs life-saving medical care. Yang Dong-geun appears as Park Yong-sik (Player 007), a gambling addict looking to clear his debts; Kang Ae-shim joins as his mother Jang Geum-ja (Player 149), who also joins the games to help her son. And Park Gyu-young rounds things out as No-eul, a former soldier from North Korea haunted by the fact that she had to leave her baby across the border.

Per Netflix, the official synopsis for the second season reads: "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. Using this fortune to fund his search, Seong 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."

Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all new information surrounding "Squid Game" season 2, including fresh plot points, new character details, behind-the-scenes info, and any insights and intel from creator Hwang Dong-hyuk. In the meantime, check out this "Meet the Cast" featurette from Netflix introducing you to some of those characters mentioned above:

Netflix's "Squid Game" is not for the faint-hearted. The deadly challenges are built to take out players in increasingly violent and frequently gory ways, so it's a bit of a shock that reigning champion Player 456, aka Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) is choosing to return to the dangerous competition for "Squid Game" season 2 alongside a host of new competitors.

And ahead of the new episodes, which will drop on the streamer on Thursday, Dec. 26, show creator Hwang Dong-hyuk surmised whether any of the famous characters from the Marvel movies would be able to make like Gi-hun and survive the games.

At Netflix’s season 2 premiere event in Los Angeles on Thursday, Dec. 12, the hit show’s director revealed to People that he believed Tony Stark — the billionaire superhero played by Robert Downey Jr. in Marvel's Infinity Saga — would do well in the lethal competition.

“Iron Man — without the suit,” Hwang told the outlet, referring to the iconic and gadget-heavy armor that Stark wears throughout the Marvel movies.

Tony Stark's smarts would definitely be a boost in the high-stakes competition, which pits players against each other to survive deadly versions of classic children's games like Red Light, Green Light and tug of war. For the South Korean series' second season, Hwang expanded the variety of games, some of which he couldn't fit into the already jam-packed first season.

"There were some [games] left over from the list of games that I had thought of for season 1," he told People. "So at least for season 2, it wasn't as hard to come up with the new games."

As for which of the show's signature games he himself would excel in, Hwang shared that the famous honeycomb challenge — in which contestants are tasked with using a needle to carve a shape out of a piece of dalgona without cracking the honeycomb candy — would be his choice. Do you agree?

Alas, we won't be seeing Tony Stark or Hwang himself onscreen when "Squid Game" season 2 hits Netflix on Dec. 26, but there will no doubt be plenty of action for Gi-hun and the rest of the players to contend with this time around.

The official synopsis for the second season reads: "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. Using this fortune to fund his search, Seong 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."

Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all new information surrounding "Squid Game" season 2, including fresh plot points, character details, behind-the-scenes info, and any insights and intel from creator Hwang Dong-hyuk. In the meantime, check out the official trailer for the Netflix show's much-anticipated second season below:

Netflix's "Squid Game" is already well-versed in shaking up Hollywood. With over 2.2 billion hours viewed as of 2024, the dystopian drama is the most-watched Netflix series of all time, and both lead actor Lee Jung-jae and creator Hwang Dong-hyuk made history as the first Asian winners in their categories at this year's Emmys.

And that awards love is continuing in surprising ways —"Squid Game" season 2 hasn't even premiered yet on the streamer (the new episodes drop on Thursday, Dec. 26) and it's already been nominated for a Golden Globe award.

On Monday, the South Korean sensation was announced as one of this year's nominees for Best Drama series at the Golden Globes, alongside Peacock’s "The Day of the Jackal," Netflix’s "The Diplomat" Prime Video’s "Mr. & Mrs. Smith," FX/Hulu’s "Shogun" and Apple TV Plus’ "Slow Horses." (Hwang and Co. seemingly submitted the new episodes to the awards body before the Nov. 4, 2024 cut-off date.)

And though the public hasn't yet seen the seven episodes that will make up the second season, early critics' response seems to suggest that awards recognition is deserved.

'Squid Game' season 2 early reactions

Critic Ashley Wurst wrote that season 2 is "a brilliant return for Netflix's most popular show," calling the new cast "magnificent" (actors include Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-uk, Park Sung-hoon and Yang Dong-geun, among others) and especially praising star Lee Jung-Jae, who puts in "another masterful performance." Wurst proclaimed that the "many amazing action sequences" were "well worth the wait. Get hyped!"

Rama Tampubolon of Rama's Screen found the second season to be "a lot crazier than the first one," calling out a "'The Deer Hunter' moment" that left him squeamish." He said that the second season is more "retribution-based & action-packed" than its predecessor, but "Lee Jung-jae once again delivered a ferocious performance."

And Aayush Sharma of Game Rant called "Squid Game" season 2 a "masterstroke in escalating the stakes while delving deeper into the human psyche." Dubbing it "bigger and better" than the first season, Sharma added that "the plot seamlessly intertwines high-octane action sequences with psychological mind games."

When the public finally does get those new episodes on Dec. 26, they can expect even more intriguing games this time around, as well as an exciting set-up for the show's grand finale. For a refresher, the official synopsis for the second season reads: "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. Using this fortune to fund his search, Seong 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."

Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all new information surrounding "Squid Game" season 2, including fresh plot points, character details, behind-the-scenes info, and any insights and intel from creator Hwang Dong-hyuk. In the meantime, check out the official trailer for the series' much-anticipated second season below:

I loved “Squid Game” when it premiered on Netflix in September 2021. Like really loved it. Heck, I enjoyed the nine-part survival thriller show so much that I purchased a “Squid Game” T-shirt at my local nerd culture retailer, and I never buy apparel related to TV shows. But despite adoring the series so much, until last week I’d only watched it through a single time.

With “Squid Game” season 2 just around the corner (and sure to be one of the best Christmas presents I receive this year) I decided now was the time to finally dip back into the dark world of pink jumpsuits and schoolyard games with a deadly twist. Unsurprisingly, the Netflix original hooked me a second time, and within just a matter of days, I’ve almost polished off the complete season. While my high enjoyment levels were expected, there's one aspect I didn’t expect to enjoy this much: the characters.

The first time I watched “Squid Game” my focus was primarily on the games themselves and the numerous dramatic twists in the story, but on this second watch, it’s been the main characters that have impressed me most, and it’s this aspect that really makes “Squid Game” a Netflix show that has, and I’m confident will continue to, stand the test of time.

The characters really shine in ‘Squid Game’

After the memorable opening of the first episode of “Squid Game," in which the 456 constants play a murderous game of Red Light Green Light, the series transitions into a second episode that features exactly zero games and takes place away from the sinister compound where the show is set.

To be honest, this episode, entitled “Hell”, somewhat failed to capture my interest the first time around. I was guilty of being eager to see what twisted game would be served up next and wanted to get back to the “good stuff." However, on rewatch, I now view this episode as a real favorite and think it’s arguably the most important chapter in the entire season.

Seeing core characters like Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo), Ali Abdul (Anupam Tripathi) and Kang Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-yeon) back in the real world and slowly start to accept that playing a series of deadly children’s games represents a better future than dealing with their past mistakes is deeply fascinating (and more than a little harrowing). The gas station conversation between Seong Gi-hun and Oh Il-nam (O Yeong-su) is surprisingly moving, even if I already know the final twist.

Moving through the rest of the series, it’s this strong character work done in the early stages, and especially in episode 2, that really makes “Squid Game” so compelling until the very end. This show isn’t just about thrilling contests between the constants, but a battle for survival in which we know at least some of the characters we’ve come to genuinely care about won’t win.

Obviously, even on my first watch, I found the characters highly compelling and easy to root for, but on this second watch, with the novelty of “what game comes next?” being removed, I feel I’m getting an even richer watching experience, as my attention is focused beyond the games.

I need ‘Squid Game’ season 2 right now

Most of all, rewatching “Squid Game” has got me very excited for the show’s return in just a matter of weeks (“Squid Game” season 2 arrives on Netflix on December 26). While I was definitely in the camp that felt the show didn’t need a follow-up, as the first season served as a great, (mostly) self-contained, limited series, I can’t deny that my hype levels are now spiking.

Seong Gi-hun’s return to the games is the logical approach for a second season, but I’m very curious to see how he plans to end the schemes of The Front Man for good. Plus, the fate of Detective Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) is still a mystery. The first proper trailer for “Squid Game” season 2 has only further increased my anticipation, and I can’t wait to meet the new cast of characters who will be competing in the warped game this time around.

Netflix is looking to end 2024 with a bang thanks to “Squid Game” season 2, but there’s plenty more being added to the streaming service this month. Check out our full roundup of everything new to Netflix in December 2024 for plenty of great TV shows and movies to watch over the festive season.

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"Squid Game" season 2 has even dropped yet — the hit Netflix series returns to the streamer on Thursday, Dec. 26. — and we're already thinking about the third, and final, installment of the super-popular South Korean thriller.

The second and third seasons of the Lee Jung-jae-led drama were filmed back-to-back, and creator Hwang Dong-hyuk recently revealed that writing the show's second season changed the ending of the whole show.

“I wrote seasons 2 and 3 at the same time … and along the storyline, there is a turning point that takes place, and that leads to a series of different events, and also leads to a significant change in the character,” Hwang told IndieWire.

“Relatively speaking, the ending for season 2 came to me quite early on. However, the ending to season 3, actually ended up [in] a different direction than what I had initially conceived of. While I was working on the story and working on the script, I saw this new path that I wanted to go down, and so the ending of season 3 actually changed in the process of creating season 2."

It's ironic, then, that future seasons weren't even initially in the cards for "Squid Game," as Hwang originally saw the show as a single-season standalone. And while that happily gives viewers even more time with Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and the rest of the competitors, and an even deeper dive into those deadly games, more episodes did mean more pressure for the showrunner.

"When it was decided that we would do Season 2, the pressure was indeed immense. I was thinking to myself: will I really be able to pull this off? Will I be able to create or write something that would exceed Season 1?" Hwang told the outlet.

"But once I got to writing, and once I got into the story of Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) returning to the games with his own motives, it actually went a lot better than I thought it would. I was able to create a story that I felt was more intriguing, come up with more interesting characters and come up with more original and intriguing games as well.”

Fans have some time to wait for season 3 of "Squid Game" — which will reportedly come to the streamer sometime in 2025 — but until then, we can see just how Hwang is setting up the finale of the series when the seven episodes of season 2 drop on Dec. 26.

For a refresher, the official synopsis for the second season reads: "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. Using this fortune to fund his search, Seong 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."

Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all new information surrounding "Squid Game" season 2, including fresh plot points, character details, behind-the-scenes info, and any insights and intel from Hwang.

The wait is almost over, VIPs! After three-plus years since that twist-filled season 1 finale, "Squid Game" season 2 will hit Netflix on Thursday, Dec. 26. And in the weeks leading up to the second season premiere, fans are finally getting some much-anticipated intel on what to expect from the new episodes — including what the official title for episode 1 will be.

Social media posts from the verified "Squid Game" account revealed earlier this week that the first episode of season 2 will ominously be called "Bread and Lottery." The season 2 premiere will drop in one fell swoop with the rest of the new episodes on Dec. 26; per the Hollywood Reporter, there will be seven episodes in total this season, down two from season 1's total of nine.

So even though Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), a.k.a. Player 456, is no longer hurting for cash this time around — spoiler alert! he ended up winning the deadly competition at the end of the first season after Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo) sacrificed himself — that "Bread and Lottery" episode title seemingly suggests that the capitalistic horrors we've come to expect from season 1 will continue in the second season; after all, "bread" can refer to food in general or could be slang for money.

Season 2 sees the former winner re-enter the competition not to win more cash but to expose the forces behind the corruption. Per Netflix, the official synopsis for season 2 reads: "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. Using this fortune to fund his search, Seong 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."

But Player 456 won't be the same man you met last season, the actor revealed during Netflix’s Fall Edit event in November. Per Tudum, Lee Jung-jae said that although Gi-hun yearns for a "normal life" and to reconnect with his daughter, “he understands … that he has changed in a way where [that’s] no longer possible."

Even the way he approached the character had to change this time around, the Emmy-winning performer told the outlet: “I had many opportunities where I was able to express that goodness of heart in the character [in Season 1]. However, in Season 2, while there are certain circumstances that allow for that [quality] to peek out of him … I didn’t have that many opportunities.”

You'll see exactly how Gi-hun and the rest of the competitors have changed when "Squid Game" season 2 premieres on Thursday, Dec. 26. Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all new information surrounding the second season of the hit Netflix drama, including fresh plot points, character details, behind-the-scenes info, and any teaser clips and trailers.

"Player 456, welcome back to the game," the mysterious, masked Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) announces in the brand-new trailer for "Squid Game" season 2 — the award-winning and record-breaking Netflix drama will return to the streamer on Thursday, Dec. 26 with seven fresh episodes of bloody-good action, tempting cash prizes and deadly high stakes.

Released on Tuesday, November 26 across the series' official social handles, the nearly two-minute trailer gives "Squid Game" fans a much-anticipated peek into what they can expect from the new installments.

In the second edition of the hit Korean thriller series, we'll see reigning champion Gun-hi, a.k.a. Player 456 (Lee Jung-jae), pull a Katniss Everdeen and return to the terrifying arena, not to win more won but to put an end to Squid Game altogether.

The new clips show Gun-hi trying to coach this season's competitors — new players in the cast include Yim Si-wan ("Unlocked"), Kang Ha-neul ("The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure"), Park Gyu-young ("Sweet Home"), Park Sung-hoon ("The Glory") and Yang Dong-geun ("Yaksha: Ruthless Operations"), among others — through a fatal round of "Red Light, Green Light," as well as rally them against the powers that be. "Those who created this game...we should fight them," he declares to his fellow challengers.

“Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 gave up going to the States and comes back with a new resolution in his mind,” reads the official season 2 synopsis. “Gi-hun once again dives into the mysterious survival game, starting another life-or-death game with new participants gathered to win the prize of 45.6 billion won.”

But it certainly doesn't look like that rebellion will be easy, if the shoot-outs, stun-guns and stacks of money throughout the trailer are any proof. "You still don't see, do you? The game will not end until the world changes," an unidentified character taunts in voiceover.

And along with returning challenges, there will be a whole host of new games for Gun-hi and Co. to navigate, ones that will be even more dangerous and intriguing than before, "Squid Game" creator Hwang Dong-hyuk recently teased.

However, the showrunner added, the reigning champion is more than up for the fight. “Season 2 explores how Gi-hun follows through on his words after leaving the airport,” Hwang said in a behind-the-scenes featurette, per Tudum. “Gi-hun’s endeavor to find out who these people are and why they do what they do is the core story of Season 2.” Actor Lee Jung-jae added: “In Season 1, there was room to show glimpses of Gi-hun’s various personalities, such as his optimistic nature and positive energy. This time, the focus was on his determination.”

You'll see exactly how Gi-hun and the rest of the competitors fare in challenges new and old when "Squid Game" season 2 premieres on Thursday, December 26. Tom's Guide will keep you posted on all new information surrounding the second season of the hit Netflix drama, including fresh plot points, character details, behind-the-scenes info, and any new teaser clips and trailers.

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When the first season of "Squid Game" landed on Netflix back in 2021, nobody expected the South Korean series to become the most watched Netflix Original of all time, with over 2.2 billion hours watched and counting.

Given the show's incredible success, it's no surprise that Netflix would order more seasons from its creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk. However, since "Squid Game" was designed as a one-off limited series, it would take some time for Hwang to deliver a worthy continuation.

Well, the wait is almost over, with "Squid Game" season 2 set to release on Netflix in less than two months on December 26, and I can't wait to watch it.

To whet our appetites for what's sure to be the biggest show of this year (and possibly the next), Netflix has dropped a new teaser trailer for "Squid Game" season 2, giving us our first real look at the highly anticipated sequel. You can check it out below.

'Squid Game' season 2: What we can expect

Based on the trailer above, it seems as though "Squid Game" season 2 will be even more intense than the first go-around, which is exactly what I was hoping for.

Picking up where the last season left off, the teaser trailer shows Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) return to play once again in an attempt to destroy the game from within. To do so, he will need to take down the mysterious Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), whose motive for holding the games remains unknown.

Of course, things are different this time around. For starters, the game is no longer a 'last person standing' affair — players now have the option of voting to end the games early and split the prize pool, though something tells us their greed will prevent them from walking away with only a small slice of the winnings.

Gi-hun is also much more serious in his second playthrough, trying desperately to warn his fellow players about each game's deadly stakes and also convince them that their lives are worth more than money.

The teaser trailer above offers just a taste of what we can expect from "Squid Game" season 2, and I'm already champing at the bit to see more. Chances are that Netflix will release more trailers for the upcoming season in the lead up to its release on December 26, but I'm already sold. Here's hoping the "Squid Game" season 2 lives up to its stellar first season.

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If you're one of the (many) people eagerly awaiting the arrival of "Squid Game" season 2 on Netflix, the latest "Squid Game" rumors are sure to have you excited.

According to a new report from Deadline, Netflix is planning to grow the "Squid Game" franchise in a big way. The outlet recently revealed that the streamer is working to develop an English-language version of the hit Korean drama, and their sources let slip that acclaimed director David Fincher is coming on board.

Details about this new "Squid Game" series are hard to come by. Netflix has refused to comment on the rumor, and the only other thing we've learned at the time of writing is the new spin-off would be set in the United States and that British writer Dennis Kelly — who wrote the U.K. version of "Utopia" — is expected to write the new show.

The collaboration would only be Fincher's latest with Netflix, following his 2023 thriller "The Killer", psychological thriller series "Mindhunter" and "House of Cards".

Evidently, Netflix has a big appetite for more "Squid Game", though that's not all that surprising. After all, The series is still ranked as Netflix's No.1 most-watched TV show; yes, it's still got "Wednesday" season 1 beat.

Back when the season 2 release date was confirmed, the streamer revealed that Hwang Dong-hyuk's gripping thriller series was going to return for a third and final season in 2025.

The streamer's also already capitalized on the original show's success with a game show spin-off, too. Last year, "Squid Game: The Challenge" offered real-life contestants the chance to take on a series of challenges from the hit Netflix Original in pursuit of an astonishing $4.56 million prize, a spin-off which surely culminated in the most high-stakes game of "rock, paper, scissors" that's ever been played.

Hopefully, we'll get more info about this purported spin-off soon. In the meantime, if you need something new to stream while you wait for "Squid Game" to return this December, check out our guide to the best shows to watch after "Squid Game" and our full list of the best Netflix shows for way more streaming recommendations.

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Netflix has finally revealed when we can watch "Squid Game" season 2... and given us a big update about the show's future! 

Today (August 1), the streamer confirmed that one of the best Netflix shows would return for its highly-anticipated second chapter this holiday season, on December 26, to be precise. What better time is there to get sucked back into this twisted K-drama than Christmas?!

Even though that means the return is still a few months away — here's what to watch this month while you wait — creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk has promised that "Squid Game" season 2 will be 'worth the wait' (via Tudum).

If that news has you excited, you'll be pleased to know that we've got more "Squid Game" to look forward to, as Netflix has already confirmed that season 3 (which will be the show's last outing) is on the cards. And in even better news, we won't have to wait another three years to watch it, as "Squid Game" season 3 is coming to Netflix at some point in 2025!

All this news was confirmed in a short trailer which plays out like a track meet gone wrong. In the clip, some runners take off from their marks, but they're overtaken by a number of folk sporting the classic "Squid Game" green tracksuits. 

Contestants start tumbling to the ground as more panicked runners leave them for dead... and then we're passed over to the Front Man, who asks if we want to play again. Check it out below:

Along with the announcement, Netflix shared a new image from the series (seen above), and revealed that Dong-hyuk has penned a letter (shared on X/Twitter) revealing just how excited he is to be revisiting his world.

"It's been almost three years since Season 1 was met with incredible response around the world and many unimaginable events took place. I am beyond excited to be writing this letter to announce the date for Season 2 and share the news of Season 3, the final season. On the first day we began shooting Season 2, 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."

"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. Thank you, always, and see you soon, everyone", he added. 

What else do we know about 'Squid Game' season 2?

We've had precious little info about the new season thus far, but along with this update, we've also got a "Squid Game" season 2 synopsis to work with, and it sounds like our winner Gi-hun ("The Acolyte" star Lee Jung-jae) is about to be put through the wringer all over again.

It reads: "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. Using this fortune to fund his search, Seong Gi-hun starts with the most obvious of places: look for the main 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."

In addition to starring Lee Jung-jae, the series also features the return of the villainous Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) and Recruiter (Gong Yoo), and detective Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-jun). 

And given the fate of everyone else who entered the last Squid Game, it should come as no surprise that the new series boasts a number of new stars, including 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-suk, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won and Won Ji-an. 

As of the time of writing, Netflix hasn't revealed any info about who these stars will play, though given some of the subplots from season 1, I'd wager there's going to be some heart-wrenching stuff weaved into Gi-hun's quest in "Squid Game" season 2. 

Need something else to watch while you wait for that December release date? Check out our guide to the best shows and movies to watch after "Squid Game" and the best Korean dramas on Netflix.

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It's been a little while since Netflix gave us any new information about "Squid Game" season 2, but lead star Lee Jung-jae has just dropped a big hint that this second chapter might be even more emotional.

In an interview with RadioTimes.com, Lee Jung-jae — who can currently be seen in "The Acolyte" on Disney Plus — has admitted that he thinks season 2 is 'even more interesting' than the first, and that there's an 'even deeper emotion' sitting at the story's core. Given some of the heart-breaking sequences that we already endured (Ali's death in the marble game?!), that's a big promise. 

"I think the script for season 2 is even more interesting than season 1, and there is going to be a new set of characters as well. So I think the audience is going to be really excited about it. 

"One thing I felt while reading the script is that there is an even deeper emotion that's discovered within season 2, and also I think the audience will feel like, 'Where is this story going?' Because there's so many twists and turns that happen", Jung-jae said. 

What else do we know about 'Squid Game' season 2?

We don't know much about the plot of "Squid Game" season 2. Season left Jung-jae's character, Seong Gi-hun as the winner of the 2020 Squid Game, plagued by guilt over everything he experienced. 

At the end of the season 1 finale. Gi-hun had decided to visit his daughter in Los Angeles... but when he spotted the recruiter handing over an invitation to a would-be player, Gi-hun took the card, called the number, and demanded to know who was organizing another deadly competition.  The voice on the other end ordered him to board his plane, but Gi-hun promised he was coming for the games' organizers, hung up, and turned back into the airport. And that was where we left off. (We've got a more in-depth breakdown of the "Squid Game" season 1 ending on the site if you need a full refresh).

It's likely no surprise, but we can count on seeing more deadly trials in "Squid Game" season 2. Speaking to The Playlist, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk admitted that the new season will feature 'even better games than the first'.

Cast-wise, we know that Lee Byung-hun will reprise the role of the villainous Front Man. Gong Yoo and Wi Ha-jun will also return as the Recruiter and undercover detective, Hwan Jun-ho, respectively. There are also a ton of new stars set to appear, but we don't yet know what their "Squid Game" season 2 roles will be. I'd bet at least some of them have to be competitors in a new Squid Game, though.

When can we stream 'Squid Game' season 2?

Officially, we don't have a precise "Squid Game" season 2 release date. Netflix has confirmed that the series will return at some point in 2024, but that's it. 

Back in May, Lee Jung-jae told Business Insider that the series would be available to stream in December, though that's yet to be confirmed elsewhere, meaning there's still a chance it could be ready to stream sooner. 

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It’s been a long time coming but Netflix has finally given a firm release date update on "Squid Game" season 2, and it’s good news. 

As part of a recent shareholders letter (spotted by Variety), it’s been confirmed that "Squid Game" season 2 will premiere on the streaming service later this year. While we don’t have anything more specific than “2024” at this time, expect more significant updates to follow in the months ahead. 

For now, we can only speculate as to exactly when "Squid Game" season 2 will land on Netflix, but the back half of the year seems like a solid bet. The first season arrived in September 2021, and perhaps its sophomore season will arrive around the same time. Although, a debut in the final months of the year shouldn’t be discounted. 

Netflix has yet to share any plot details for "Squid Game" season 2 but series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk shared in an interview with the Korea Herald that there will be “new games and characters, as well as a deeper plot and message.” Perhaps this time, players will forced to compete in a blood-soaked version of tag, or maybe a deadly spin on hopscotch. 

Hwang also commented on the expectations that come with following up such a popular first season: “We are burdened with the pressure to do well, but we will make sure to repay viewers with a good result.”

‘Squid Game’ is a key Netflix show 

If you somehow missed the "Squid Game"’ hype, the thriller series follows a group of people competing in deadly versions of classic children’s games to win a large cash prize. The first season ended on a dramatic cliffhanger, and while I won’t spoil anything, its ambiguous ending proved there are still stories left to tell in this world. 

The show quickly became a monster hit for Netflix, breaking all records to become the service’s most-watched show of all time — a title it still holds to this day even if "Wednesday" came pretty close to overtaking it in 2022. 

Netflix capitalized on "Squid Game’s" continued popularity with a game show spinoff, called "Squid Game: The Challenge" last year. And Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos previously said, “The ‘Squid Game’ universe has just begun.”

"Squid Game" season 2 will headline a big year for Netflix. In 2024, several fan-favorite shows are set to return including "Emily in Paris," "Bridgerton" and "F1: Drive to Survive." But there will also be plenty of new shows including Guy Ritchie’s "The Gentlemen", a live-action adaptation of "Avatar: The Last Airbender", and the streamer’s biggest bet of 2024, a complex sci-fi thriller from the makers of "Game of Thrones" called "3 Body Problem".  

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Squid Game: The Challenge officially has its big winner. So if you don’t want to be spoiled — red light.

Netflix launched the reality show version of its international hit Squid Game on November 22, releasing it in three batches. Squid Game: The Challenge took 456 real people and put them in a combination of new challenges and recreations of iconic games from the original Netflix TV show. The first five episodes dropped on November 22 and the next four episodes dropped the following week on November 29. That left us with just one final episode, which released last night (December 6).

And after 10 episodes our winner is Mai Whelan, known to viewers as number 287. She took home the massive $4.56 million prize after a game of “rock, paper, scissors” that had higher stakes than probably any game of “rock paper scissors” played in human history. Granted, in the show Squid Game, the stakes are death, but that’s a fictional TV show. Whelan’s $4.56 million is very real. 

Netflix wins with ‘Squid Games: The Challenge’ 

The real winner here though is Netflix. Squid Game: The Challenge season 1 debuted at the number 1 spot in the Global Top 10 for Netflix, garnering 85.7 million hours viewed from over 20 million views in its first week. And the second week was nearly as successful, with 85 million hours viewed across 11.4 million views. 

That’s a major success for the streaming service no matter how you look at it. So unsurprisingly, Netflix announced that season 2 of Squid Game: The Challenge was official just before last night’s season 1 finale. 

Critically, the show wasn’t quite so successful. Critics panned it on Rotten Tomatoes rating it only 45% “fresh” and giving it a score of 5.7 out of 10. I’ll be honest though, as someone who watched a bit of this show and did not care for it or think it was necessary, critical thought regarding this show is beside the point. Frankly, critical study of reality TV is typically beside the point. So if people had fun with Squid Game: The Challenge — and with an 82% “fresh” audience score they certainly did — then who am I to rain on their parade?

Netflix already has a stable of reliable original content, including several successful reality TV shows such as Too Hot to Handle and The Circle. So the stakes for Squid Game: The Challenge wasn’t exactly life or death. But manufacturing a successful reality TV show from one of its existing series is a massive success given that it now builds a world of intellectual property that can be further mined for content, which Netflix is already doing by greenlighting second seasons of both the reality show and TV drama versions of Squid Game. 

My vote for further Squid Game content? A prequel movie about the creation of the first (fictional) Squid Game. I think that done right it could be more than just an IP cash — or subscriber — grab.

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Last year Netflix announced it was turning its smash hit TV show Squid Game into a real-life gameshow. But the filming of this reality spin on the popular Korean series appears to have been disrupted when contestants required medical attention and the set descended into a “warzone." 

As originally reported by British publication The Sun, contestants were apparently left “screaming for medic” before being stretched off the set during a recreation of the iconic Red Light, Green Light game from the original Squid Game. The issue revolved around the freezing-cold temperatures on set, in fact, it’s claimed things were so icy that some people “couldn’t move their feet because it was so cold.” 

The series is currently being filmed at Cardington Studios in Bedford, England where it’s anything but sunny right now. During this particular day of filming, temperatures on set dropped below freezing to around 26 degrees with a player telling the tabloid newspaper, “even if hypothermia kicked in then people were willing to stay for as long as possible because a lot of money was on the line. Too many were determined not to move so they stood there for far too long.” 

Players also described the set as like a “warzone” and noted that contestants had to stand for around 30 minutes in between takes with some literally “crawling by the end.” It's also claimed that at least one person had to be stretched off the set due to their condition. 

When quizzed on the matter a Netflix spokesperson said: “All contestants were prepared by production several weeks ago that they would be playing a game in cold conditions and participated knowing this" also noting that "all precautions were taken to ensure the game was played safely.” And there are no indications that the reported on-set issues delayed filming or lead to any form of production shutdown. 

In Squid Game, the Red Light, Green Light game involves contestants having to stand completely still when given the “red light” before moving forward when given the “green light." If a participant moves at the wrong time, they’re out. In the show players are shot by a large animatronic doll if eliminated, fortunately in this real-life version elimination just means a player is sent home.

There is currently no release date for Netflix’s real-life Squid Game, but the reality competition show will see 456 players compete in a series of recreated games from the original series to win a sizable cash prize (believed to be around $4.5m). Netflix has previously referred to it as "the biggest reality show ever."

The original Squid Game hit Netflix in 2021, and took the world by storm. It centers on a group of cash-strapped people who accept an invitation to compete in a series of children’s games for a chance to win life-changing money, but it’s soon revealed the games have a deadly edge. The show was an unequivocal success for Netflix becoming the streamer's biggest original series of all time and racking up more than 142 million viewing hours in its first 28 days. 

Considering its juggernaut hit status, it wasn't a surprise when Squid Game season 2 was confirmed shortly after the show's debut. However, don't expect this sophomore season anytime soon. It's still in the very early stage of pre-production with its creator hinting last year that it may not be ready until the end of 2024. 

Squid Game started Netflix's big day of festivities a little early, as we've noted in our Netflix Tudum live blog. Before today's Tudum live streams for US, Europe and Latin America, a Korean stream aired yesterday (Sept. 23), and its biggest reveal has to be the below deleted scene. While we don't know if we'll get more today — we're hoping for a Squid Game season 2 preview — this is all we have for now.

The clip was presented by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the director of Squid Game, and while he doesn't say it himself, Netflix's own caption for the video — "The shocking reveal of Front Man in Season 1. An exclusive clip unveils the man behind the survival game," — confirms that this Squid Game season 1 deleted scene was to provide further confirmation of the Front Man's mysterious identity.

But, to be honest, maybe it's just the angle, but he doesn't look a whole lot like actor Lee Byung-hun or his character Hwang In-ho (the brother of detective Jun-ho). Here, he comes home to put a goldfish in a bowl, tying the game's metaphor full-circle.

Then, someone else is seen looking up at In-ho's apartment. No confirmation who this person is, but we'd bet that it's Jun-ho. The detective was never confirmed to be dead, and since he was shot in the shoulder — the same spot as his brother, who survived as well — fans have had reason to believe that Jun-ho is in play in Squid Game season 2. 

We were not told when the scene was meant to appear, but it almost feels like an epilogue for Squid Game. 

Before he delivered that clip, though, director Hwang Dong-hyuk thanked the global audience for their appreciation for Squid Game. He also noted that Squid Game season 2 will be filled with "all-new stories." But some characters are coming back, as he told press at the Emmys that Seong Gi-hun will be seeking revenge in season 2. 

Stay tuned for all the news from Tudum, and check out our guide on how to watch Netflix Tudum online for more details. As noted above, we'll be covering it all in our Tudum live blog.

Next: I just watched Rings of Power episode 5 — and now I want to quit.

Netflix, it seems, is in the Squid Game business. While we're currently waiting to see if Squid Game season 2 is actually a good idea or not, Netflix just announced it's greenlighting Squid Game: The Challenge, a reality competition show based on the competitions in the popular show.

And it's got some familiar numbers, too. Squid Game: The Challenge will go for excess, with the largest number of cast members and the largest lump sum cash prize ever in reality TV. Just like in the show, 456 real players are going to be competing for $4.56 million USD. 

There is, thankfully, one difference between Squid Game the show and Squid Game: The Challenge. To quote Netflix's announcement "The stakes are high, but in this game the worst fate is going home empty-handed." Which is a polite way of saying "we won't kill anyone, we promise!"

Contestants will go through games inspired by the show as well as new competitions. Of course, Netflix is looking to get the Squid Games vibes right, as it's declared that "strategies, alliances, and character will be put to the test."

How to sign up for Squid Game: The Challenge

As of right now, Netflix is opening casting to all English-language speakers, no matter where in the world they are. You can sign up at SquidGameCasting.com.

The competition will be aired as a 10-episode competition series. It's a co-production between Studio Lambert (the folks behind The Circle) and The Garden (24 Hours in A&E). It will be filmed in the United Kingdom. 

Analysis: Of course Netflix is doing this

While you might think a Squid Game reality show misses the point, we're not exactly surprised to see it happen. Netflix still touts Squid Game as its "most popular series of all time," citing "over 1.65 billion view hours in the first 28 days after its September 2021 premiere." Take that, Stranger Things 4.

We have no idea how long it will take for Squid Game season 2, as we've only recently seen the official confirmation that this season is happening. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk confirmed that he and multiple other cast members are coming back.

So, while we wait, we don't know how Netflix will create more Squid Game content. We can only expect Squid Game content to continue until subscriber numbers improve.

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The games are only just beginning as Netflix has revealed Squid Game season 2 with a very brief teaser video, a message from the show’s creator and a Tudum blog post. We already knew that a second season of the hit South Korean show was in the works, but this is the first time the streamer has promoted its return in an official capacity. 

The teaser video features the animatronic doll seen during the “Red Light, Green Light” game in the show’s first episode. The video is accompanied by text that confirms “Squid Game is officially coming back for Season 2!” Unfortunately, there is no actual footage included in the teaser, but a “message for the fans” from Hwang Dong-Hyuk, the writer, director, producer, creator of Squid Game, has given us our first details. 

The statement is headlined: “A whole new round is coming,” presumably confirming that Squid Game season 2 will indeed feature more deadly playground games. “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 Netflix series ever,” reads the message from Hwang. 

The statement also teases what’s to come next, and confirms a few returning characters including season one protagonist, Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), and the sinister mask-wearing antagonist, the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun). Hwang also hints that the “man in the suit with ddakji might be back” and also reveals that viewers will be introduced to the boyfriend of the giant animatic doll Yong-hee, named Cheol-su.

Prepare for more Squid Games

While this marks the first public promotion of Squid Game season 2, more episodes seemed a near certainty after the juggernaut success of the show’s first season. Within its first four weeks on Netflix, Squid Game racked up 1.65 billion hours of viewing, making it Netflix’s biggest TV show ever. A feat the likes of Stranger Things season 4 and The Witcher season 2 haven’t even managed to surpass. No wonder Netflix is keen to reassure subscribers that Squid Game will be back. 

If the Squid Game hype train somehow passed you by, the nine-episode drama series premiered on Netflix in September 2021. It follows a group of desperate people who compete in a series of deadly children's games in order to win a cash prize. Its final episode ended on a dramatic cliffhanger, so a follow-up seemed inevitable.  

Earlier this year Hwang hinted that a second season was a possibility, before Netflix’s co-CEO Ted Sarandos confirmed the series would return and could launch its own “expanded universe.” It’s also been suggested that multiple important characters could return for Squid Game season 2, including some you might not expect. 

Netflix subscribers already planning their Squid Game season watch parties, might want to hold fire for a while yet. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like Squid Game season 2 will be with us anytime soon. Netflix notes it's “still in its early stages” of development and Hwang previously claimed the plan was to have the show’s sophomore season streaming on Netflix by the end of 2024. 

To the surprise of almost nobody, Squid Game season 2 was confirmed as happening by Netflix earlier this year. It's already been announced that protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) will return, but it appears that some other familiar faces could join him in his quest to find those responsible for running the deadly games. Well, sort of…

Like all good battle royales, Squid Game ended up with just a single player left standing. In this case, Gi-hun, but we may not have seen the last of popular characters Kang Sae-byeok (HoYeon Jung) and Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo). Or at least we could see the actors who play them make a return in some quite surprising ways.  

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk opened up about the reaction to the show’s first season and dropped a few tantalizing hints at what could come next. And it's here that we got a curious indication that it might not just be Lee returning. 

When asked what he wants to see in Squid Game season 2, Lee explained that he hopes (and these are Vanity Fair's words) that "Sae-byeok has a twin sister, and that Sang-woo has actually been whisked away by the game operatives in time to keep him alive.” And that these, slightly illogical, twists can happen so he can work with Hoyeon and Park again. Clearly, it wasn’t just the characters who were deeply bonded by the Squid Game experience. 

Now, it should be noted that Hwang Dong-hyuk didn't comment on the possibility of Hoyeon or Park returning, either as the same character or as new ones. However, Lee has plenty of time to convince him to write them into Squid Game season 2 as currently Hwang “only has about three pages’ worth of ideas” that will be eventually turned into a script.  

In the same interview, Hwang confirms that Squid Game season 2 will feature more games and also teased that the mysterious Front Man from the first season could play a larger role. As for when the second season is likely to hit Netflix, Hwang is still in discussion with the streamer but anticipates it could drop by the end of 2023 or sometime in 2024. 

Netflix is likely keen to get the ball rolling on Squid Game season 2 as soon as possible. Squid Game pulled record-breaking numbers when it debuted last year, and quickly became the most-watched Netlflix original in history. At the time of its renewal, Netflix CEO Ted Sarandos said: “The Squid Game universe has just begun.” So don’t be surprised if Squid Game is a mainstay on Netflix for years to come. 

After becoming Netflix’s most-watched show of all time, the arrival of Squid Game season 2 is only a matter of time. But it looks like we might be waiting a little longer than expected before returning to the world of deadly playground games and men in pink jumpsuits. 

In a recent interview with Variety, Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of Squid Game, was unsurprisingly asked about the future of the hit series. He revealed that he’s just finished writing his latest project, a feature adaptation of Umberto Eco’s novel Killing Old People, and is now planning to return home to South Korea and begin the process of writing Squid Game season 2. 

The news that Squid Game season 2 isn't even written yet will surely come as a disappointment to viewers. Dong-hyuk suggests that if everything goes to schedule, the plan is to have the show’s sophomore season streaming on Netflix by the end of 2024. Of course, there is always a possibility that production will hit a snag along the way and the timeline will need to be revised.  

Squid Game was a colossal hit for Netflix when it landed on the streaming service in September 2021. It racked up more than 142 million viewing hours in its first 28 days, quickly surpassing the likes of Stranger Things and Bridgerton to become Netflix’s biggest hit ever.

The violent thriller series follows a group of desperate people competing in deadly versions of classic children’s games in an effort to win a large cash prize. The first season also ended on a dramatic cliff hanger. No spoilers here, in case you’re one of the few Netflix subscribers yet to watch Squid Game, but clearly there are still stories to tell in this world. 

While viewers may be clamouring for more, expect Dong-hyuk to take his time when writing Squid Game season 2, after all he certainly knows the value of being patient. The original idea for the show came to Dong-hyuk in 2009, but he wasn’t able to successfully pitch it to Netflix until 2016 and it took a further five years for it to finally launch on the streaming service. Let’s just hope that season 2 doesn’t take quite as long to see the light of day. 

So, it looks like the wait for Squid Game season 2 isn’t going to be a short one, but in the meantime there are plenty of shows to tide you over, including Alice in Borderlands, another hit Netflix series that also involves simple games with a deadly twist.

The wait for the next installment in a favorite TV show can be agonizing, and that’s very much how I’m feeling about Squid Game season 2 right now. 

Sure, Netflix has confirmed the show will return for a second season (like there was ever any doubt) and might even get some spin-off shows (unnecessary in my opinion), but these are likely several years away at best, which is bumming me out.

Last year I got seriously swept up in Squid Game fever. As soon as I finished the series for the first time, I was scouring the internet for Squid Game merch and have since rewatched the entirety of season one a couple of times. Of course, there is only so many times you can rewatch the same collection of episodes before you start to crave something new, and that’s the point I reached a few weeks ago. 

After bouncing off a handful of TV shows that didn’t quite fill my Squid Games void, I have finally found another Netflix original series that is hitting the same spot: Alice in Borderland. Here’s how it's helping to make the long wait for the return to the Squid Game universe a little more bearable. (Oh, and my editor tells me All of Us Are Dead may be Netflix's next Squid Game-like show).

Alice in Borderland and Squid Game have plenty in common 

The elevator pitches for Alice in Borderland and Squid Game are remarkably similar. The two series both focus on groups of people competing in simple, but extremely deadly, games, and are most definitely not for the squeamish.  

Based on a Japanese manga of the same name, Alice in Borderland sees three young friends mysteriously transported to a seemingly abandoned Tokyo and forced to compete in various games in order to top up their digital visas — let your visas expire and it’s game over. 

Much like in Squid Game, the games in Alice in Borderland are simplistic in nature. The first game the trio must complete involves picking between two doors, one leads to safety the other a fiery inferno, the second is a twisted version of the children’s game tag and the third is essentially hide and seek but with explosive neck collars. 

Another similarity the shows share is the conflict between comradery and survival. Squid Game saw lead character Seong Gi-hun build an alliance with other several players, which resulted in friction and difficult decisions in later episodes, the same sort of conflict be seen in Alice in Borderland. The show focuses on three friends who must simultaneously rely on each other while also being aware that their own survival might come at the cost of their friends. 

Naturally, the shows aren't identical. For starters, Alice in Borderland has some significant sci-fi elements, including laser beams that shoot from the sky to eliminated competitors, and there’s no cash prize for the victor here, just the reward of surviving long enough to face another game. Alice in Borderland also takes a pretty significant left turn in its second half. I won’t go into spoilers here, but it's been pretty divisive among viewers.  

If you enjoyed Squid Game I'd say there's a pretty strong chance you'll also appreciate Alice in Borderland. Plus, if you thought the marbles episode of Squid Game was a tough watch, watch till you see episode 3 of Alice in Borderland! 

There’s more Alice in Borderland and Squid Game to come

Alice in Borderland actually premiered in December 2020, so I’m a little late to the party with this one. However, the show was popular enough at launch to receive a very quick renewal. Netflix greenlit a second season just two weeks after the first collection of episodes hit the platform. 

One of the biggest benefits of discovering a show a little late is that you don’t need to wait as long for more episodes! I’ve essentially done a year of waiting for Alice in Borderland season 2 without even knowing, whereas I’m going to have to endure every minute of the wait for Squid Games season 2.  

The second season of Squid Game is likely so far away, that I’m expecting Alice in Borderland to return to Netflix first, but I certainly won’t be complaining. I cannot wait to jump back into the twisted world of Squid Game, but visiting the warped Tokyo of Alice in Borderland is certainly keeping me entertained in the meantime. 

Looking for something currently running with a colder kind of drama? Check out our guide on how to watch Snowpiercer season 3 online. And if you're looking for new TV airing right now, we've got what you need to watch RuPaul's Drag Race season 14 episode 4 and the WWE Royal Rumble 2022 live stream — two sides of the same coin in our minds.

It looks like many more competitors will have to endure the Squid Game ordeal — because Netflix has not only confirmed a second season but also teased big future plans for the hit Korean show.

Ted Sarandos, the company's co-CEO and chief content officer, effectively guaranteed a new series during Netflix's fourth-quarter earnings call for investors and analysts. “Absolutely,” Sarandos is quoted (via The Verge) as saying in response to a question about whether Squid Game would get a second season. He then followed up with the intriguing statement that “The Squid Game universe has just begun.”

The first bit isn't a big surprise, as Squid Game's creator and writer, Hwang Dong-hyuk, had already revealed that he was working on a second season. But what Sarandos' second statement adds is the suggestion that Netflix, understandably, intends to continue the series beyond that point. You could even read his words as implying that Netflix could expand the scope of Squid Game content into entirely new areas.

If you've watched the Squid Game ending, you'll know there are multiple angles from which to examine the games themselves and the lives of its oppressed contestants, beyond the story of season 1's main character, Seong Gi-hun. Perhaps we'll end up with a huge expanded universe in the style of Star Wars or the Marvel Cinematic Universe shows on Disney Plus. Perhaps we'll end up with the Squid Game movie that Hwang said he originally wanted to make. Or maybe we could see Netflix go beyond streaming content with Squid Game: The Video Game. It has just launched Netflix Gaming, after all.

Not that any of this is guaranteed long-term, of course. The list of Netflix canceled shows is a long one, so although Squid Game S1 was the most popular show the service has ever produced, the pressure to maintain that level of viewership will be high. If it can do so, though, the Squid Game expanded universe Sarandos hinted at could be on the way.

As for what to watch until Squid Game season 2 arrives, we think Alice in Borderland may just what you need to scratch that Squid Game-like itch.

Fancy something lighter? We've got a rundown everything we know so far about Love is Blind season 3.

The massive popularity of the Netflix show Squid Game has been noticed by cybercriminals who are crafting Windows and Android malware to take advantage of the show's appeal.

"Squid Game themed Android Joker," tweeted ESET security researcher Lukas Stefanko last week, warning of a new variant of the Joker premium-SMS malware in the Google Play App store. "Running this app on device might result in malicious ad-fraud and/or unwanted SMS subscription actions."

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Meanwhile, rival antivirus firm Kaspersky said its researchers had recently found "several dozen different malicious files on the web with names mentioning Squid Game" that included "Trojans, adware, fake streams and even phishy offers of Halloween costumes."

“The Squid Game becoming a new hit lure was just a question of time," said Kaspersky's Anton V. Ivanov. "As with any other trending topic, cybercriminals have a good hunch about what is going to work and what isn't."

How to avoid Squid Game scams

To avoid being infected by or lured in by Squid Game scams or malware, don't download or install anything on a Windows PC that offers to show you pirated episodes or show-related games. 

On Android, stick to the official Google Play store and don't get apps from other sources. And make sure you're running some of the best Windows 10 antivirus programs and one of the best Android antivirus apps.

Many of the malicious files pretend to be episodes of the show or related animated clips, luring in people who don't have Netflix accounts or who just can't get enough Squid Game. 

Most are in fact "downloaders" that can install more malicious files on Windows systems, Kaspersky said. Some steal passwords and other sensitive information from desktop web browsers.

Kaspersky described a Squid Game-related Android Trojan that opens new browsers tabs or secretly sends out SMS messages from infected phones, perhaps spam or new links to download itself. 

"This Trojan is distributed in unofficial app stores and various portals under the guise of other popular applications, games, and books," Kaspersky said.

The malicious app mentioned by Stefanko, however, has been removed from the Google Play Store. 

Bogus Squid Game Halloween costumes

Another danger, warned Kaspersky, is fake Squid Game online stores. Reports of shortages of Squid Game Halloween costumes may be creating more demand, and fraudulent retailers are springing up offering just such items.

But, says Kaspersky, "when shopping on such sites, users risk not receiving the merchandise and losing their money."

"Moreover, targets end up sharing with cybercriminals their banking and personal identity information since they are asked to provide card details and personal data, including an email address, residence address, and full name."

In the most 2021 scam of all, several websites found by Kaspersky let visitors play online versions of Squid Game competitions in order to "win" prizes in cryptocurrency such as 100 Binance coin. (Binance is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Internal Revenue Service for possible tax evasion and money laundering.) 

It seems that competitors have to also provide some personal details, which are at risk from this phishing scheme.

"Needless to say, the player never receives the promised reward and ends up losing their data or downloading malware," Kaspersky said.

After watching the Squid Game ending, you might have a lot of questions. The finale of the popular Netflix show is as divisive, and at times confusing, as the show is addictive. 

In fact, you may feel that the Squid Game ending let you down. But if you're still trying to make sense of it all, we're gonna break it down for you. Of course, beware spoilers for the entirety of Squid Game below!

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Squid Game ending: The final game 

Seong Gi-hun and Cho Sang-woo enter their sixth and final challenge in a pretty rough state. Sae-byeok has just died, and we're all pretty sure Sang-woo killed her, and in the immediate aftermath of her passing, it's time to play another game.

Gi-hun wins a coin-flip to get the right to choose offense or defense for Squid Game, the game that we first saw a glimpse of at the start of episode one. He chooses offense. Winning Squid Game happens in one of two ways. A player on offense can make it to the "squid's head" on the field, passing the defender, or a player can be the last one standing (i.e., their opponent dies).

Gi-hun is forced to hop on one foot as he attacks, as the offense has to have a handicap until they breach the "squid's neck." Before he gets there, though, Gi-hun (enraged by the situation at hand), throws a fistful of sand in Sang-woo's face, to blind him. He then reminds his opponent that this was a game they played as kids. Except they didn't have knives back then, as that's the evil twist to this round. 

As rain begins to pour, the two argue and Sang-woo admits to killing Sae-byeok (though she had already been bleeding profusely). Gi-hun says she could have been saved, but Sang-woo admits he feared an alliance between her and Gi-hun — and that he'd rather murder than risk leaving the games without the money. Gi-hun tells Sang-woo that Sae-byeok had practically protected him, stopping him from killing Sang-woo. 

As the two fight, Sang-woo then stabs Gi-hun twice — once in the thigh, and the other (shockingly) in the hand — but Gi-hun refuses to stay down. He also says he refuses to let Sang-woo leave with the money. But, in the end, Gi-hun refuses to cross the line that Sang-woo did, showing mercy to him when he has him pinned on the ground. He tries to end the game by simply walking to the "squid's head."

But then a guard aims their gun at the fallen Sang-woo, which forces Gi-hun to ask that the games be ended with a vote. Sang-woo doesn't let this happen, and after he tells Gi-hun to help his mother, he stabs his own throat. 

With the game over, the Front Man takes Gi-hun back home. Before he throws him out of a car, he compares the fights that the Squid Game competitors have had to the horse races that Gi-hun bet on earlier in the season. He even says, "you people are the horses," to make sure it sounds as sickening an inhumane as possible.

The aftermath is hard to live with

Left on the raining streets of Seoul, with a gold debit card (to be unlocked with his Squid Game uniform number '0456') in his mouth, Gi-hun has earned his 45.6 billion Won. But, as they always say, "at what cost?"

With 455 dead players in his shadow, Gi-hun walks to an ATM and takes 10,000 Won out. On his way home, Gi-hun come across Sang-woo's mother who shows that she's one of the best people in this show: giving him free food and asking after her son. But she also says that Gi-hun’s mother hasn't been at work in two days. This is a bit of a bracing warning to the audience, as Gi-hun's return home confirms our fears: his mother is dead. He finds her on the floor, thinking she's just asleep until she doesn't wake up. 

Gi-hun then spends the next year — which is passed in a flash-forward — in a depression. He is living the same kind of life he was living before, drinking beers on the bank of the Han River, rather than spending his winnings. His daughter has also moved to the US with her mother and stepfather. 

Gi-hun, seen unkempt on a train with a lot of facial hair that grew in those months, goes to a bank. The manager of the bank summoned him to ask about why his money is just sitting there, unspent, and not earning much interest. The bank manager offers him one of many ways to earn more interest, as the bank has new products for "VIPs." Hearing that word, which references the men who watched the Squid Games, Gi-hun stands up and just asks for 10,000 Won from his savings. He then goes to drink on the river bank, continuing the life he had before he became rich.

But when Gi-hun buys flowers from a woman selling them on the water, he notices that a special card was attached to his purchase. A card containing a sparkling gold Squid Game invite card. It's addressed "from your gganbu."

Squid Game ending's big reveal: It was Il-nam all along

Gi-hun follows the invitation to a skyscraper where he walks into a cavernous room Il-nam (the old man with player number 001), is on life support. Yes, he didn't die in the marbles game. 

Il-nam points down to the streets, at a man who he believes to be homeless who is on the streets and likely to freeze to death if he's not helped. Il-nam asks Gi-hun if he would help that man, "that smelly, human piece of trash." As Gi-hun angrily asks what's going on, Il-nam then offers a wager: if nobody helps the poor man by midnight, Il-nam wins. If someone helps him before then, Gi-hun wins. Angrily, Gi-hun threatens to snap his neck. Il-nam tells him to play the game or risk not getting answers.

Il-nam confirms that is his real name, and that he has a tumor, which has been growing. A stranger almost helps the homeless man, but does not. Il-nam asks after Gi-hun's unspent winnings and guilt. 

We then learn that Il-nam is the creator of the game. It was a project that Il-nam and his wealthy clients devised because they were too bored by the joyless life of being filthy rich. Il-nam even claims that living is no fun for the super-rich. Il-nam played the games because he wanted to feel something for one last time before he died. And that Il-nam had just let Gi-hun win the marbles round because he enjoyed playing with him.

Then, the cops come to help the homeless man, right as the clock strikes midnight and as Il-nam dies. Again, winning is worthless. 

Squid Game ending: Gi-hun's red hair and plane decisions explained

We then see Gi-hun at the barber shop, where he makes a decision to dye his hair bright red, after he sees a photo of model with the same color hair on the wall. This decision, according to Squid Game writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk (speaking with Zapzee), is to show Gi-hun's inner anger. 

Specifically, Dong-hyuk said "I thought about this intuitively, thinking about how Gi Hun should change his hair in a hair salon. I imagined being him and thought to myself, ‘what is the color that you would never choose to dye your hair?’ Then I came to the conclusion that Gi Hun would never dye his hair red. It would be the craziest thing for him to do. So I chose the color and I thought it really showed his inner anger."

Then, Gi-hun goes to meet Sae-byeok's younger brother, who asks about his sister's whereabouts. We don't see Gi-hun explain or deny the child an answer, but he says that he and Sae-byeok were friends. The two then meet with Sang-woo's mother, who adopts the child, whose name is Kang Cheol. Then, Sang-woo's mother wishes Gi-hun a good trip before discovering that his luggage is filled with Gi-hun's winnings.

On his way to the airport to fly to the U.S. to see his daughter, Gi-hun sees the Salesman (Gong Yoo) running the same slapping and paper-flipping game on a new mark. Gi-hun runs to get his hands on the man, but he's gone. He then demands that the guy not take that offer.

Right before Gi-hun gets on the plane, he stops in his tracks. He picks up his phone, and calls the games masters to register for the game. He reveals his identity to the person on the other end, and declares that he's not a horse but a person. That he needs to know who's behind this. On the other end, the Front Man gets on the phone, identifies Gi-hun as player 456 and encourages him to get on the plane.

Gi-hun doesn't heed that advice, and walks away from the plane, to a potential Squid Game season 2. 

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When it debuted, "Squid Game" took the world by storm. The Korean drama became one of Netflix’s biggest hits for its violent, twisted take on popular children’s games like Red Light, Green Light. The well-drawn characters and thought-provoking examination of capitalism are also why TG staffers are among the millions of viewers who couldn't stop watching "Squid Game" and tune into second 2 .

Once you’ve binged both the first and second seasons, you'll undoubtedly want more. And more you'll get, with season 3 set to debut on Netflix later this year. Still, if you need more before then, there are plenty of similar shows and movies to fill the void. We’ve compiled a list of what you should watch after "Squid Game." 

'Alice in Borderland'

Like Squid Game, Alice in Borderland features characters who must play and win games or face deadly consequences. As you might imagine, it's also a violent and bloody exploration of human nature. Based on a manga of the same name, the series follows hardcore video game enthusiast Arisu (Kento Yamazaki) and friends who become trapped in an alternate, dystopian version of Tokyo. There, they are forced to play a series of games, like Tag and Hide and Seek. If they win, they survive and advance. If they lose, they die. If they sit out a game, their “visa” to the Borderlands expires and (you guessed it) they die. 

Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
Rating: TV-MA
Streaming on Netflix

'Battle Royale'

If you’ve ever played Fortnite, you know the premise of the 2000 Japanese movie Battle Royale. Based on a novel by

Koushun Takami, it’s one of the most influential films in the genre (many see The Hunger Games, among others, as owing a lot to Battle Royale). In a totalitarian society, a class of 9th graders are sent to a deserted island, and each is given a weapon, a map and supplies. If three days pass and more than one of them survives, they will all die. Which means the kids have to kill each other until there’s one winner remaining. Battle Royale was so controversial in its day that it was banned in several countries, and never got an official U.S. release. 

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
Rating: NR
Streaming on Prime Video

'Sweet Home'

This Korean fantasy horror drama checks a few of the same boxes as Squid Game: survival, deep relationships and violence. Sweet Home centers on a group of people who lock themselves in their apartment building when monsters start wiping out all of humanity. After people are killed, they turn into monsters that reflect their inner desires, like one resident who becomes a Glutton Monster. Teenager Hyun-soo (Song Kang) bands together with some neighbors in a bid to survive. They all have their own emotional baggage, creating a tense environment in the building all while the monsters prey on them.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 83%
Rating: TV-MA
Streaming on Netflix

3%

The life or death scenario in 3% is more figurative than literal, but, just like with Squid Game, the Brazilian dystopian thriller is a provocative meditation on class inequality and capitalism. In the show, most of the world lives in poverty on the inland. Only 3% of people live on the Offshore, a colony in glorious utopian harmony. Every year, 20-year-olds are given the chance to go to the Offshore. To get there, they  must take part in a series of tests, ranging from a simple interview to solving a fake crime scene. Whoever passes “the Process” doesn’t win money but an escape from their bleak lives into paradise.

Rotten Tomatoes score: N/A
Rating: TV-MA
Streaming on Netflix

'As the Gods Will'

Similar to Squid Game, the 2014 Japanese supernatural horror flick also features deadly rounds of children’s games like Red Light, Green Light. The story follows Shun Takahata (Sota Fukushi), a high school student who spends a lot of time playing violent video games. One day, his school turns into a battle royale arena, where he and his friends must fight to survive. They’re not the only ones, either; kids all over Japan and the rest of the world are facing similar tests. Shun and the other players compete for their lives, and also to find out who’s behind this demented situation.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 57%
Rating: TV-MA
Streaming on Crunchyroll 

'Escape Room'

In this 2019 thriller, six strangers receive mysterious invitations to participate in an escape room with a $100,000 prize. They come from different backgrounds — one is a college student, another is a wealthy day trader and a third is an Army veteran. Once they enter the complex, it’s locked and they discover the levels become increasingly deadly. They also realize that some of the rooms remind them that they’re all sole survivors of various disasters, like a plane crash or a car accident. But which one will be the ultimate sole survivor?

Rotten Tomatoes score: 51%
Rating: PG-13
Rent on Prime Video

#Alive

Like Sweet Home, #Alive doesn’t revolve arounds games. The 2020 Korean film is a survival story that features a friendship built during a harrowing time — very much the vibe of Gi-hun and Il-nam in Squid Game. Joon-woo (Yoo Ah-in) is a young man who is alone in his family’s apartment when a zombie outbreak begins. He barricades himself inside, but begins to lose his mind when food, water and internet access run out. On the verge of suicide, Joon-woo sees a signal from someone in the building opposite from him. They send supplies over a zipline, and bond using a walkie-talkie. But the zombies are relentless, and so the pair will have to work together to stay alive. 

Rotten Tomatoes score: 88%
Rating: TV-MA
Streaming on Netflix

'Darwin’s Game'

Based on the manga of the same name, the anime series follows Kaname Sudo, a high school student who receives an invitation to play an app game. When he opens the app, Kaname learns he’s joined a deadly battle where players fight one another with superpowers called Sigils. Unlike other battle royale stories, Darwin’s Game doesn’t force people to participate. Instead, they choose to play, for money or ego or other reasons. Kaname, meanwhile, goes ahead in a quest to end the game for good.

Rotten Tomatoes score: N/A
Rating: TV-14
Streaming on Hulu

'The Hunger Games'

It feels a little silly to even include this blockbuster franchise on the list, since millions of people all over the world have seen it. Still, if you somehow missed The Hunger Games, then this is your opportunity to catch up. The movies are set in a dystopian world divided into districts of varying wealth. Every year, the districts must send two teens to the titular deathmatch, where only one leaves alive. Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) is from the very poor District 12 and enters the Games after taking her younger sister’s place. Using hunting skills gained from time in the woods, Katniss is completely focused on making it out of the arena and back to her family. While The Hunger Games isn’t as violent or gory as Squid Game, it grapples with similar themes of rich vs. poor and the human condition.

Rotten Tomatoes score: 84%
Rating: PG-13
Streaming on Hulu

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The Squid Game ending felt like the wrong kind of gut punch. As I made it to the conclusion of the 8.5-hour series, which I binge-watched over the course of three evenings, I was staring quizzically at my TV. This? Really? Yes, Squid Game is one of the best Netflix shows, but this ending just did not work.

As you might expect, Squid Game spoilers are here and they're the meat of this story. If that's a problem, go join the rest of Netflix's subscribers and watch Squid Game and come back. But if you want to know what let me down so much, scroll on. Because, yes, I couldn't stop watching Squid Game. And now that I've finished it, I've got a lot to say.

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Squid Game is the weakest game

The school-yard dash and obstruct Squid Game we saw at the start of the first episode made sense for the finale, in a symmetrical storytelling kind of way. But the deadly twist that "they've got knives!" wasn't as shocking as anything that came before it. 

Maybe this didn't work for me because I wasn't rooting for the kill — don't get me wrong, Cho Sang-Woo is evil for what he did to Sae-byeok — but turning that Squid Game into a death match where the only weapons were knives and the jackets they wore to the fancy dinner beforehand just didn't click with me. I felt like I was watching it from a distance.

This could have been because the games that came before the "Squid Game" were downright perfect in their drama. The marbles game, where it seemed only Gi-hun or Oh Il-nam could survive, the towering tug of war that made me grit my teeth and (especially) the glass stone stepping bridge were all perfect pieces of suspense and drama. 

A knife fight? Sorry, it just can't stack up. Every other game was intricate, and filled with moments of shock and surprise. Squid Game itself? It was just sad and depressing, especially with the masked VIPs watching in the distance.

Hating Oh Il-nam just feels amazingly wrong

The big reveal of Squid Game episode 9, that the elderly Oh Il-nam, who is suffering from a brain tumor, is the ultimate villain? That reveal of how the character I thought I liked the most was actually evil left an acrid taste on my tongue. That he was just a rich guy getting his last remaining thrills by pitting the downtrodden against each other? I was OK with that being the motivation of the greedy VIPs, but for Oh Il-nam, it just didn't match, like two puzzle pieces that just won't fit. 

Yes, the message is clear. Just because an old man can appear to be kind and noble doesn't mean he's not brutally evil on the inside. Too much money can corrupt. Capitalism is evil, I get it. I agree. Trust me. And, yes, one of my colleagues saw this twist coming. I did not. 

Of course, it made me rethink how angry I was with Gi-hun for (seemingly) tricking Oh Il-nam in the marbles game. The fact that the wool had been pulled over our eyes that smoothly, that our hearts broke for the man who was only pretending to be tricked? 

I get that we're supposed to taste a bitter element here, as if the show had defeated us. But it then zigged again, as nobody could seek revenge on Oh Il-nam. Death just took him. It was deflating, and Gi-hun giving all that cash to Cho Sang-woo's mother  wasn't enough to inflate my heart back.

Now ... give me Squid Game season 2

All that said, I think that Squid Game's ending is a perfect way to leave us wanting more — and I need a Squid Game season 2. Like Gi-hun gambling at the Off Track Betting, and repeatedly getting slapped in the face at the train station, I humbly ask Squid Game director Hwang Dong and Netflix for more.

Now that Gi-hun has evolved into a red-haired badass, who is angry and seeking justice, I need to see how he manages to learn more about the institution of the Squid Game. But more importantly, I have a hunch that Sae-byeok's little brother is going to avenge his sister's death. 

Maybe more answers will only erode the mystery in a Star Wars-prequel sort-of-way. Maybe there are no new crazy games for the next hundreds of contestants to play — and knowing the games ahead of time may take some of the suspense out. But right now I'm jonesing for more Squid Game.

It's possible too. Netflix’s global TV head, Bela Bajaria, told Vulture that a second installment isn't the only thing in Hwang's plate, saying "He has a film and other things he’s working on," before noting "We’re trying to figure out the right structure for him."

How very Squid Game, to leave me hanging on hoping for more. 

• Read next: How to try Squid Game’s honeycomb challenge — I found it’s harder than it looks

The Squid Game honeycomb challenge, among other games featured in the South Korean survival thriller, has sparked curiosity among many Netflix viewers who are intrigued to see whether they could beat the characters from the show. Naturally, I wanted to test my honeycomb carving skills under pressure too. However, the process ended up being a lot harder than I expected, even though I only needed two ingredients.

But before we dive into the my disastrous experience in attempting to make Squid Game's honeycomb candy, let's sum up the show for those who are unfamiliar. 

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In case you’ve been living under a rock for the past month, Squid Game has quickly become a streaming sensation with the potential to become the most-watched Netflix show of all time, rivaling shows like Bridgerton and Emily In Paris. In short, the survival thriller is a mixture of Hunger Games and Battle Royale. The plot unfolds as 456 people struggling with debt join a mysterious series of children's games to win a ₩45.6 billion prize (or $38.7 million in U.S. dollars). The only downside? Well, whenever a player is eliminated, they die.

The TV show featured a number of children's games, such as "Red light, green light", "Stepping stones" and more. And while we're more or less familiar with the format of such games, recreating the exact scenarios is tricky in real life. However, one of the games is really easy to try out at home (taking out the elimination factor, of course). And that's the honeycomb challenge.

What is the honeycomb challenge?

To put it simply, the player is given a flat candy made of sugar and baking soda with a pre-carved shape in the middle. Each player needs to separate the shape from the surrounding part of the candy without it cracking or breaking. In order to do so, players can be creative with their methods, though the only tool that is available is either a toothpick or an ordinary sewing needle. Oh, and the task also has to be done within a 10-minute time limit. 

But if you want to attempt to pass the game at home, carving out the shape isn't even the most difficult part of the challenge. Full disclosure, the process of making the honeycomb candy (also referred to as "dalgona candy") is much harder than it looks. Although the recipe only involves two basic ingredients that can be easily found in any household, the technique itself is quite tricky. I, for one, only managed to get it right after my sixth attempt having wasted half a pack of sugar and spending at least five minutes cleaning the pan after each failed attempt. So if you don't want to grow sick of the smell of caramelized sugar, keep reading. 

Below, I've prepared a step-by-step guide based on countless YouTube and TikTok videos that I've watched on how to try the honeycomb challenge from Squid Game, while also keeping in mind the difficulties that you may encounter and the things that you should avoid. Basically, I spent a good two hours trying to make the candy again and again so you don't have to. 

Here are the tools and ingredients that you will need:

• White sugar (we used caster sugar) - 3 tablespoons per candy
• Baking soda - a small pinch per candy
• Non-stick frying pan
• Baking tray
• Non-stick wax paper
• Small cookie cutters
• Something you can use as a press (we used a container lid)
• Any oil to grease your press and the cookie cutters (we used sunflower oil)
• Toothpick or sewing needle

How to make the honeycomb candy from Squid Game

Before diving into the cooking process, prep your station and tools accordingly and make sure that all you need is within close reach. For once, you can be prepared for a Squid Game. Place your baking tray next to your stove and lay out the non-stick wax paper on top. 

Make sure to generously grease the press for the candy and the cookie cutters to prevent them from sticking later in the process. 

1. Heat up your frying pan on medium-high heat. Once heated, add your white sugar (we advise three tablespoons per candy). If this is your first time, try not to make more than one candy at a time, as getting the proportions right could get tricky. 

2. Be patient so that the sugar starts melting gradually. Try mixing it with a silicon spatula, chopsticks or a spoon once the melting process begins. It should look a bit lumpy as shown in the picture below.

3. Keep mixing until your melted sugar acquires that caramel-like color, but be careful not to burn it. At this stage, lower the heat to medium.

4. Add a pinch of baking soda in, but don't add more than that as your candy might end up tasting weird. Mix well and your mixture should become foamy and get a slightly creamy color.

5. Once the baking soda is incorporated with all the caramelized sugar, take your pan and pour the mixture onto the wax paper on your baking tray. Try to hold your pan firmly so that the mixture pours in one spot, creating a circular shape. 

6. Wait about 4-5 seconds until the bubbling settles down a bit and press the mixture down with your pre-greased pressing instrument of choice. Give it a firm press, but be careful not to press too hard, as the candy will harden too quickly and it might break when you use the cookie cutter. 

It's important to press your candy while the mixture is still hot, otherwise it may be resistant to the pressure. Try to also apply pressure towards the center of your press, so that the candy spreads evenly, recreating an almost-perfect circle.

7. In a swift and circular motion, turn the press around and lift it gently. It should come off without any sticking. Steps 6-7 are the hardest ones to get right, so don't get discouraged if you didn't get it right the first time. You can try switching out your pressing tool for something else.

Traditionally, the dalgona candy is made with a metal press that resembles a burger press, but you can opt for anything else with a flat surface instead. Some people have used a frying pan, a dish, while we've used a container lid. And don't be shy with the oil, you can always pat the excess off of the candy later.

8. Once you've successfully pressed your candy, quickly press your cookie cutter right in the middle of the candy and keep it there for a good 5 seconds, then gently lift it up.

9. If you've made it to this step - congrats, the hardest part's over. Just leave your candy to cool off and harden, then carefully take it off the wax paper. In the end, your honeycomb candy should end up looking something like this:

How to complete the honeycomb challenge from Squid Game

Now that you have your honeycomb candy, it's time for the ultimate test. Set a timer for 10 minutes and try to get the shape out of the candy without it breaking or cracking. In the left picture, we tried using a toothpick at first, though the method is quite risky since the toothpick ended up breaking quite quickly. If this happens to you, try using a sewing needle (the instrument the players got) instead.

You can also try Seung Gi-hun's method, which involves flipping the cookie and licking the borders of the shape so that eventually the shape simply falls out. Beware that this method takes more time, and the extremely sweet sugary taste might make you sick. For me, the latter method was more time-consuming, but effective. 

I managed to successfully complete the challenge in under 8 minutes. 

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• I can't stop watching Squid Game — why it's the most addictive show in years

Squid Game is the show I've been waiting for because it's a show I can't stop watching. Normally, I've got a pretty hard built-in resistance to bingeing shows. I often think "I should be doing something else," and move on. Not so with Squid Game, as I only turned off the TV because it was getting late, and I really needed the sleep. I really wish I were watching it right now, but I can't just slack off of work when a new show comes about. 

Some plot spoilers for episodes 1 and 2 will follow (but I'm trying to avoid spelling it all out, for your enjoyment if you haven't watched Squid Game at all).  The uber-popular Netflix series, which has only nine episodes, has already earned a reputation as one of the best Netflix shows in the mere two weeks that it's been on the streaming service, during which time the hour-long Korean thriller/drama became the talk of the town. 

It starts off as a story in Seoul, South Korea about a down-on-his-luck guy named Seong Gi-hun. He's up to his eyeballs in debt, lives with his mother and has a hard time financially supporting his daughter. Not exactly a new story, but that's where a business man comes in.

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How Squid Game hooked me

In rapid fire, at the off track betting parlor, Gi-hun made and lost the money he needs so desperately, and we get the picture that he's a gambling addict always looking over his shoulder for loan sharks. Then, after a mysterious game with a stranger (who smacks him in the face a lot), he's given a card for with a phone number and a circle, a square and a triangle. Before I can wonder if this is a way to buy a PS5, Gi-hun is whisked away to an unknown location.

And this is where the games begin — and my eyes grew in size. Gi-hun wakes up in a warehouse-like room filled with bunkbeds stacked to the ceiling, and we're told that 456 people are here, and they're all going to play six games; everyone who wins would win a fortune. All of the people wear green uniforms, with their number (001 to 456) on a patch, and masked guards with white circles, triangles and squares painted on their masks emerge. And as Gi-hun walks around the room, we started to see some familiar faces.

It was in this very moment I knew I was going to be hooked on Squid Game. I typically don't watch much Netflix during the week (pro wrestling, my guilty pleasure, airs live every night of the week, and I watch on most). But when Squid Game's games were even hinted at, I put pro wrestling on mute.

The mere outline of a creepy set of games run by mystery men, tickled all of the itches I have when it comes to TV and movies. You've got a mystery box-like premise such as Lost (what are the games, who is in charge?), a foreboding sense of survival (I didn't even know how much Squid Game would be like Battle Royale) and then the story of Gi-hun's desperate quest for cash. I quickly realized I wanted to be done with Squid Game by the weekend (I have a birthday gathering to go to, and the chance for spoilers skyrockets in casual conversation). Sure, Stranger Things has spooky mysteries, Queen's Gambit has reckless behavior and Sex Education has Gillian Anderson, but those beloved shows that took me multiple times to "get into" have nothing on Squid Game.

And then things got creepier.

How Squid Game shocked me

The one thing I really knew about Squid Game was that there was a giant statue of a young girl. I didn't know what role it would play until episode one showed us the most evil game of Red Light, Green Light ever. The commands to run and stop are issued by the childish voice emanating from the statue, and anyone who fails to stay still after "red light" is eliminated.

Except this game's definition of elimination is much different than how any kids I knew played Red Light, Green Light. The statue has motion sensors in its eyes, and knows when you're moving, and anyone who doesn't stay still is gunned down. 

Players scream as the guns hidden in small turrets around the area fire over and over again, and then the rules are repeated again. Now, there's an added emphasis for the word "eliminated." Oh, and there's a five-minute timer that is the other catch. You can't go try and win by going too slowly, you see. You'll need to move fast enough to beat the clock.

We don't even see the bullets go in, they pierce the bodies quickly, and a small gush of blood comes out. A large bulk of the players rush for the shuttered exit, and — since they're all not standing still — they all get gunned down.

This, dear reader, was not in the advertising. Of course, though, it was obvious from the get-go to anyone who's seen something like this. You don't have 456 competitors enter a game conducted with epic secrecy for a massive prize without a little blood being spilled. And then we look back into the control room for the event, where faces start to disappear as they're eliminated.

And my earlier realization — that I needed to see this show through to the end — was reaffirmed.

How Squid Game sets up the rest of the show

And in these moments, Gi-hun is in shock. Knowing what little of him we know, it's natural that the audience may wonder if he'll survive. But since he's the main character so far, we expect him to. 

And then, just like in an episode of Survivor, alliances are formed. Cho Sang-woo, a former classmate who Gi-hun recognized earlier, helped him survive with a bit of intel.

And those familiar faces we saw earlier (folks from Gi-hun's time as a gambler), also have to figure out how to survive. Squid Game, it's clear, won't just be Gi-hun's story. It's a new face, though — that of player Abdul Ali — that gives us the best moment of the Red Light, Green Light game: the most breathtaking freeze-frame I've seen in ages. I'd say more, but the surprise is key to the moment. 

Squid Game knows its way around its audience, and how to build tension properly. I was almost stupefied and zombie-like in front of my TV. If I had more energy, I probably would have cheered. 

Why Squid Game has me racing to the finish

Once the players reached the finish line, and a larger reveal occurs, I realized the potential scale of Squid Game, and how much I needed to complete it. So, at 9 p.m. at night, after a quite tiring day had already concluded, I looked at how many episodes I had left. 

If I didn't watch episode 2 at that moment, I'd need to spend 4 hours per night on Monday and Tuesday to finish the show this week (the rest of the week is booked solid, I didn't plan for Squid Game — but neither do its contestants).

One more episode, I thought. I had to see what the second game was.

And then Squid Game zigged, right when I expected it to zag. The second episode brings in a lot of emotional weight. A fatalism pervades throughout an entire debate, and the action dies down a little bit. The more we learn about the once-unlikeable characters, they become all the more compelling. Sure, we're realizing these folks might not be the kind we'd want to loan cash to, or even share a beer with, but we're probably be rooting for them soon. 

The show also has shades of the plight of the worker, as players wonder why bother with the grind when you can risk it all on making it big. In short, it has something for everyone.

But that was the point where I had to tap out for the night. Yes, I needed to see what happens next, but I'm not putting my sleep above a TV show. That said, I am putting Squid Game above all other TV. As I mentioned above, I'm relegating pro wrestling to my small laptop screen to prioritize Squid Game. I've got a need to watch Squid Game as fast as I can, because I don't want this ending spoiled for me. I don't know if the ending is great or not, but there is so much mystery and drama to this series that I need to devour it.

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Squid Game is the biggest show on Netflix right now. The South Korean survival drama is topping the streamer’s most-watch lists in dozens of countries and has taken social media by storm. 

It’s not hard to see why either; Squid Game has a simple but very compelling premise. It follows a group of struggling citizens who are selected by a shadowy organization to take part in a series of playground games each with a deadly twist. However, viewers watching the series with English subtitles may in fact be getting a poorly translated version of the acclaimed show. 

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Korean-speaking podcaster Youngmi Mayer took to social media to explain that the English subtitles provided by Netflix aren’t doing a good job of preserving the show’s original writing. She used a scene featuring the character Han Mi-nyeo (played by Kim Joo-Ryoung) to illustrate her point. 

However, what’s even more strange about the whole situation is that Netflix actually offers two different translations of Squid Game. One is significantly more accurate, but it appears that many viewers are unaware of this and are actually watching the series via a translation that loses much of the original nuance of the writing. 

In the example below the “English [CC]” captions have Han Mi-nyeo saying “I’m not a genius, but I can work it out” but a more direct translation is: “I am very smart. I just never got a chance to study”, which is apparently a common Korean expression. 

If you change the captions on Netflix to “English” in the menu, then the subtitles read: “I never bothered to study, but I’m unbelievably smart.” This still isn’t a perfect translation, as Han Mi-nyeo's lack of study is due to disadvantage rather than application, but it’s still much closer to the original text than the “English [CC]” captions.  

If you’re curious why these two translations differ so much it’s because the “English [CC]” captions are actually for the English dubbed version of the series, whereas the “English” captions are for viewers watching in the original Korean language track. 

If you’re currently making your way through Squid Game make sure to set captions to “English” not “English [CC]” in order to get the most accurately translated version of the show. If you’ve already finished the series, here’s everything we know so far about Squid Game season 2. 

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