James R | On 12, Jun 2022

Netflix has officially announced the return of Squid Game, with the first teaser image and details for Season 2.

“A whole new round is coming.” Those are the ominous words that accompany the artwork and teaser trailing the hit Korean series’ return, with a close-up of Young-hee, the killer animatronic doll that helped make the show such a global success.

Red light… GREENLIGHT!

Squid Game is officially coming back for Season 2! pic.twitter.com/4usO2Zld39

— Netflix (@netflix) June 12, 2022

The satirical horror premiered in September last year and saw 456 desperate contestants compete with each other in a mysterious and deadly survival game involving multiple rounds of games. The prize? 45.6 billion won (just shy of £30 million), which would pull them out of their misery. Every game they face is a traditional children’s game such as Red Light, Green Light (policed by Young-hee), but the consequence of losing is death.

“This darkly entertaining satire of social inequality is a gripping, pointed ride,” we wrote in our review.

It swiftly became Netflix’s biggest show ever, with 111 million accounts streaming it in its first 28 days on the platform, racking up a total of 1.65 billion hours viewed in that period. Writer/director Hwang Dong-hyuk hinted that he was working on more seasons, but it was only earlier this year that Netflix’s Ted Sarandos confirmed that a universe surrounding the show was being expanded.

Now, the marketing has officially begun for the second season.

“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,” wrote Hwang Dong-hyuk in a message to viewers. “A huge shout out to fans around the world. Thank you for watching and loving our show.”

Hwang Dong-hyuk has confirmed in his message that protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) will return, along with the antagonist the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun).

“The man in the suit with ddakji might be back,” he added, along with one particularly menacing detail: “You’ll also be introduced to Young-hee’s boyfriend, Cheol-su.”

Watch this space for more details on the plot, production and, eventually, a release date.

 

Netflix confirms Squid Game Season 2 in the works

21st January 2022

Netflix has officially confirmed that a second season of Squid Game is on the way.

The Korean series, which premiered in September, sees 456 desperate contestants compete with each other in a mysterious and deadly survival game involving multiple rounds of games. The prize? 45.6 billion won (just shy of £30 million), which would pull them out of their misery. Every game they face is a traditional children’s game such as Red Light, Green Light, but the consequence of losing is death. Who will be the winner, and what is the purpose behind this game?

Since then, it has proven a huge hit worldwide, becoming the No 1 show on Netflix in 90 countries around the world and Netflix’s biggest show ever, with 111 million accounts streaming it in its first 28 days on the platform, racking up a total of 1.65 billion hours viewed in that period.

Writer/director Hwang Dong-hyuk has since hinted at a second season, saying that he was planning out a sophomore run in his head, with star Lee Jung-jae expected to return as the main character, Seong Gi-hun.

Now, Netflix’s chief content officer Ted Sarandos has officially announced that a green light has been given for Season 2. Asked about it during the streamer’s fourth quarter earnings interview, Sarandos said “absolutely”, adding: “The Squid Game universe has just begun.”

Indeed, Squid Game joins the growing line-up of Netflix IP – alongside Stranger Things and Bridgerton – that the streamer is looking to build into wider franchises, with revenue opportunities including merchandise (such as Squid Game tracksuits) and live, immersive events and experiences, as well as games. Last November, Netflix debuted its own mobile games on Android and iOS, with 10 games in total released in 2021, which can be discovered and launched from within the Netflix app.

 

Squid Game creator reportedly in talks for two more seasons

30th December 2021

The creator of Squid Game is reportedly in talks with Netflix for two more seasons.

The Korean series, which premiered in September, sees 456 desperate contestants compete with each other in a mysterious and deadly survival game involving multiple rounds of games. The prize? 45.6 billion won (just shy of £30 million), which would pull them out of their misery. Every game they face is a traditional children’s game such as Red Light, Green Light, but the consequence of losing is death. Who will be the winner, and what is the purpose behind this game?

Since then, it has proven a huge hit worldwide, becoming the No 1 show on Netflix in 90 countries around the world, including the USA the UK. In fact, it’s Netflix’s biggest show ever, with 111 million accounts streaming it in its first 28 days on the platform.

There has been no official word yet on whether Netflix will renew the programme for a second chapter or leave it is a one-and-done effort. Now, however, writer/director Hwang Dong-hyuk has told KBS that he is in talks with Netflix about not only the possibility of Season 2 but also Season 3.

The Korean Times reported his comments, which follow similar remarks from Hwang to the Associated Press in November that a second season was “in the planning process” in his head.

Korean outlet Soompi says that Netflix issued the following statement in response: “It’s true that we are discussing a wide variety of possibilities for Squid Game, including the production of a Season 3, but nothing has yet been set in stone.”

Earlier in the year, Bela Bajaria — Netflix’s Global TV chief — told Vulture that a renewal would depend on Hwang’s own schedule and willingness, noting: “He has a film and other things he’s working on. We’re trying to figure out the right structure for him.”

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