Could traditional Korean games like gonggi (jacks), biseokchigi (stone flicking), and jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking) spark another global craze? “Squid Game 2,” the highly anticipated sequel to the groundbreaking Netflix series, debuted on Dec. 26, three years after the original season took the world by storm.
With Season 1 holding Netflix’s all-time record for viewership, the second season trailer garnered 19.45 million views, the most for any Netflix trailer this year. By comparison, most trailers typically attract only hundreds of thousands of views.
The seven-episode season, however, doesn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessor, which masterfully balanced thriller, human drama, and entertainment elements. While new games were introduced with engaging visuals to follow iconic ones like “Sugar Honeycombs” and “Red Light, Green Light,” the show falls short of delivering standout characters like Sae-byeok and Ali, who drew viewers into the humanity behind their struggles.
“Squid Game” revolves around 456 participants, all burdened by crushing debt and desperate circumstances, who compete in a high-stakes “death game.” Eliminated players face death, and the sole winner takes home 45.6 billion won (approximately $34.9 million). The bold premise and relentless tension captivated audiences worldwide.
Season 2, however, faces the challenge of re-engaging a now-familiar audience. Returning protagonist Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) re-enters the game in an attempt to shut it down, but viewers are already privy to the mechanics and secrets of the sinister operation. This makes it harder to replicate the thriller aspects that made Season 1 so gripping. The show also avoids retreading the same desperate intensity that defined the first season.
In response, the new season shifts tone. The gravity and bleakness are dialed back, replaced by quirky characters like those played by Kang Ha-neul and Yang Dong-geun, and standout performances from stars like Choi Seung-hyun (also known as T.O.P from Big Bang).
Contestants at times engage in lively chants with upbeat background music, and humor and lighthearted banter punctuate the tension, lending the games an atmosphere reminiscent of a casual team-building event.
Fans who loved the human drama of Season 1 may find this tonal shift disappointing, as the original’s strength lay in its portrayal of human frailty, cunning, and occasional goodness. While this season features big names such as Lee Byung-hun, Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Lee Jin-wook, Park Gyu-young, and Park Sung-hoon, its fragmented and fleeting character arcs limit emotional engagement.
Still, viewers who prefer lighter entertainment may find much to enjoy. Season 1′s creative and suspenseful games sparked global enthusiasm, with fans recreating the challenges in real life. Season 2 introduces new games rooted in Korean traditions, such as Round and Round (a traditional circle dance), Paengi Chigi (Top spinning), and more, which could appeal to international audiences.
Cultural critic Kim Hern-sik noted that while Korean audiences value realism and weighty themes, Western audiences tend to view dramas primarily as entertainment. He said the first season’s innovative games were a major factor in its global success.
Serialized dramas are still relatively new in South Korea, and follow-up seasons often feel like extensions of the original, offering little more than fan service by continuing existing storylines.
Squid Game 2 has been nominated for Best Drama at the Golden Globe Awards in January, but whether it can stand independently of its predecessor remains uncertain. One of the season’s weak points is Gi-hun’s underwhelming plan to confront the game organizers. After two years of searching, he tracks down the mysterious recruiter known as the “The Salesman” (played by Gong Yoo), but his actions after re-entering the game lack any clear strategy. Detective Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon) from Season 1 is also sidelined, with his storyline deferred to a potential third season.
