Squid Game season 2 is confirmed, and Netflix is now happy to announce the final cast for the sequel season.
In addition, we have a (slightly wide) window for its release. Squid Game has been a worldwide sensation (Netflix is even making a Squid Game reality show), topping the U.S. Netflix Top 10 list for several weeks. Season 2 is a no-brainer and writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk has finally indicated he's started the process of developing it, and he also confirmed two returning cast members.
Squid Game is part Hunger Games, part Battle Royale — and one of the best Netflix shows. It revolves around a mysterious survival competition, which invites 456 adults who have all struggled financially in life to play. They engage in traditional children's games — such as tug of war and red light/green light — but with deadly twists, in the hope of winning about $38.5 million. There's a lot of violence and blood; this is not a show for the faint of heart or stomach.
The nine-episode first season premiered September 17 on Netflix and entered the Top 10 list two days later at No. 8. By its fourth day, on Sept. 21, the show had attained No. 1.
Here's everything we know so far about Squid Game season 2.
Warning: Spoilers for the entirety of season 1 follow.
Squid Game season 2 release date speculation
Netflix has confirmed Squid Game season 2 is coming, and we've just learned a little bit about when it could come. Or at least when we shouldn't expect it to be here. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Hwang Dong-hyuk noted it could arrive in the end of 2023 or sometime during 2024.
The process of making Squid Game season 1 was a long, arduous, and stressful process, Dong-hyuk told Variety. He first began developing the idea as a feature film back in 2008.
Despite the success of the show now, Hwang said, "I don’t have well developed plans for Squid Game 2. It is quite tiring just thinking about it. But if I were to do it, I would certainly not do it alone. I’d consider using a writers’ room and would want multiple experienced directors."
However, in a new interview with the Associated Press, Hwang has seemingly changed his mind.
"There's been so much pressure, so much demand and so much love for a second season. So I almost feel like you leave us no choice!" Hwang said. "But I will say there will indeed be a second season. It's in my head right now. I'm in the planning process currently. But I do think it's too early to say when and how that's going to happen."
One thing he does know: "I will promise you this, Gi-hun will come back. He will do something for the world."
Squid Game season 2 cast confirmed
Netflix announced the final cast for Squid Game season 2, which features many more new characters, since almost all of the game's players died. Originally, two cast members were confirmed, as director Hwang Dong-hyuk broke the news to Deadline.
You won't be surprised that Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), a divorced dad and gambling addict who joins the game to settle his debts, is coming back after he won season 1, and threatened The Front Man over the phone at the end of the season. When asked about returning cast, Hwang Dong-hyuk said "Gi-hun for sure. He will be back and I believe the Front Man [Lee Byung-hun] will back too."
On top of that, he notes that Squid Game season 2 may bring back two cast members we didn't think would return. Specifically, Hwang Dong-hyuk has said that he's hoping Sae-byeok can have a twin sister, and that agents running the games did something to keep Sang-woo alive.
Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon), a police officer who sneaks into the game to find his missing brother, is also returning The last we saw of Jun-ho, he had been shot and fell off a cliff into the ocean. However, his body was never seen and it's possible he survived.
His return is juicy fodder for season 2, since his brother turned out to be The Front Man, who helps run the game.
Here is the final list per Netflix:
- Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun
- Lee Byung-hun as The Frontman
- Wi Ha-joon as Hwang Jun-ho
- Gong Yoo as the salesman
- Park Gyu-young (Sweet Home) as TBA
- Jo Yu-ri (singer/actor, former member of South Korean-Japanese girl group Iz*One) as TBA
- Kang Ae-sim (Be Melodramatic, Move to Heaven) as TBA
- Lee David (The Fortress) as TBA
- Lee Jin-uk (Sweet Home, Miss Granny) as TBA
- Choi Seung-hyun (singer/actor, Tazza: The Hidden Card, Commitment) as TBA
- Roh Jae-won (Missing Yoon, Ditto) as TBA
- Won Ji-an (D.P.) as TBA
- Yim Si-wan as TBA
- Kang Ha-neulas TBA
- Park Sung-hoon as TBA
- Yang Dong-geun as TBA
Squid Game season 2 story: What could it be about?
First, let's talk about the ending of Squid Game season 1. In the sixth and final game, the titular Squid Game, Gi-hun faced off against his childhood frenemy Sang-woo. When Gi-hun refused to go on, Sang-woo stabbed himself and asked him to use the prize money to help his mother.
But a year later, Gi-hun hasn't touched the money at all. He receives a gold game invitation and discovers that Player 001 is Oh Il-nam, a rich VIP. The dying Il-nam puts Gi-hun to the test one last time, which snaps him out of his depression.
Gi-hun fulfills the promises he made to Sang-woo and others, then heads to the airport to reunite with his estranged daughter. There, he spots the Salesman (Gong Yoo), who recruited him for the game. He calls the number on the recruiting card, but the game makers tell him to forget about what happened. Instead of getting on the plane, Gi-hun strides away, presumably to put an end to the game for good.
Squid Game season 2 could follow Gi-hun's quest to end the game. He could be aided by policeman Jun-ho, if he is still alive. No doubt he has a score to settle with his brother, Front Man.
