You know about Squid Game. Even if you didn’t watch it, you heard of it — possibly from friends who couldn’t stop talking about it, but also just from existing in the world. It was inescapable; it quickly became one of Netflix’s most-watched series around the world, garnering some 1.65 billion viewing hours in its first 28 days, according to data from the streamer. Zedd did a remix with the Squid Game theme; red light green light got a bump, as did ppogi; and Netflix even did an ill-advised (and ultimately boring) reality show based on the dystopian games of the original.
Which is all to say: Of course there was going to be a Squid Game season 2. Here’s everything we know about it.
[Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for the end of Squid Game season 1.]
When will Squid Game season 2 debut on Netflix?
Netflix hasn’t shared much by way of release date, but it confirmed in its Next on Netflix reel that Squid Game season 2 will be coming in 2024.
Netflix confirmed it had given the show a green light (ayy) for season 2 in June 2022, a slight delay after its big release in Fall 2021. Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk had no plans for a second season, and took some time off after the first.
Will Lee Jung-jae be back for Squid Game season 2?
Yes! Hwang confirmed in a letter last year that Lee’s Gi-hun will be back for season 2, as the end of season 1 teed up. The Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun) will also be making a dastardly return to the Squid Game of season 2, along with Wi Ha-joon and Gong Yoo. (Hwang did express regret that he killed off a lot of beloved characters when he thought Squid Game season 1 was just going to be a one-off.)
Hwang also had this to say in the letter: “The man in the suit with the ddakji might be back. You’ll also be introduced to Young-hee’s boyfriend, Cheol-su.” Other notable names appearing in season 2: Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon, Im Si-wan, Yang Dong-geun, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-wook, Won Ji-an, Jo Yu-ri, Kang Ae-shim, Lee David, and Roh Jae-won.
What is season 2 of Squid Game about?
So far both Hwang and Netflix have been playing most details close to the chest. Beyond the new and old cast at play here, there’s not a ton of information about how Gi-hun gets roped back into the game (though season 1’s finale dangles that a bit). But from what we can tell from the images Netflix released, Squid Game season 2 sees Gi-hun making good on his desire to bring the games down altogether.