Squid Game Season 2 - Details We Know So Far
"Squid Game," a South Korean television show, dropped on Netflix around the world on September 17, 2021. The nine episodes follow contestants who risk their lives while playing children's games (such as one called the squid game), in order to try and win a very large monetary prize (via IMDb).
The series was created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, who, as stated by Daily Express, was inspired by personal economical struggles and class disparity in South Korea. He wrote the story in 2009, and it wasn't until 2019 that Netflix decided to move forward with the project. That was a smart decision, since over 142 million households tuned in to watch, making this the most-watched show on this streaming platform, as reported by Bloomberg.
Based on the success and popularity of "Squid Game," many are wondering if there will be a second season. And that brings about more questions: When would it come out, who would be in it, and what would be the focus of the story? Continue reading to learn all of this and more!
When would a second season of Squid Game release?
It has only been a little over a month since "Squid Game" first came to Netflix. However, many people binged the show, finishing it in just days and being immediately ready for more episodes.
Sadly, there has been no official news about a release date for a possible second season. According to Parade, it would probably not be until the start of 2023, as it took two years to produce, finish, and release Season 1.
A big factor that contributes to the release date is the writing. Creator Hwang talked with Variety about his process of turning to Korean liquor and taking half a year to churn out a couple of episodes. "In my earlier days, I'd drink half a bottle of soju to get the creative juices flowing. I can't do that any more. Writing was harder than normal for me, as it was a series, not a film. It took me six months to write and rewrite the first two episodes. Then I consulted verbally with friends and picked up clues for improvements through my own pitching and from their responses."
Who would star in it?
The first season of "Squid Game," as seen on IMDb, consisted of a cast made up of Lee Jung-jae, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-joon, Jung Ho-yeon, O Yeong-su, Heo Sung-tae, Anupam Tripathi, and Kim Joo-ryoung.
When asked about a second season by The Times, Hwang said he would love to expand more on the Front Man and the police. "I think the issue with police officers is not just an issue in Korea. I see it on the global news that the police force can be very late in acting on things — There are more victims or a situation gets worse because of them not acting fast enough. This was an issue that I wanted to raise." He also told The Straits Times that he would enjoy covering the background of the salesman character.
So while it is possible fans would see some familiar faces return, there is another theory from Den of Geek: The Squid Games don't just happen in Korea, so episodes could focus on the games being played in other parts of the world.
What is known about Season 2 so far?
Recently, Hwang chatted with The Hollywood Reporter, saying the stress of creating "Squid Game" led to him losing six teeth. "The pressure on me is huge now, with such a big audience waiting for a Season 2. Because of all that pressure, I haven't decided yet whether or not I should do another season."
This month, though, The Guardian reported that he is having conversations with Netflix about a contract, which would allow him to show off his films, as well as a potential sequel.
While he has gone back and forth about continuing the story, Hwang does see a huge benefit to having so many excited viewers: "There are people everywhere in the world offering their opinions about where the show should go. I could actually pull ideas from fans all around the world to create the next season" (via The Hollywood Reporter). It seems the fans might impact his decision to do a season two, with Hwang saying, "There's nothing confirmed at the moment, but so many people are enthusiastic that I'm really contemplating it" (via CNN).