If you drop out, you die! ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Viewing Points Revealed

Netflix series ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 has released the top 3 viewing points that you shouldn‘t miss.

‘Squid Game’ Season 2 is a story about the fierce confrontation between ‘Ki-hoon’ (Lee Jung-jae), who returns to the game after vowing revenge, and ‘The Frontman’ (Lee Byung-hun) who greets him, and the real game that begins again.

The first viewing point is the comeback of ‘Squid Game’ itself. The previous season of ‘Squid Game’ received explosive responses, becoming the first non-English speaking Asian production to win awards at major domestic and international award ceremonies, including the 74th Primetime Emmy® Awards and the 79th Golden Globe® Awards. As if to prove this, it has earned the title of the most popular series of all time, setting an unprecedented record of over 2.2 billion cumulative viewing hours.

‘Squid Game’ will feature a new game, an expanded story, and more intense suspense in Season 2. As viewers know the basic rule of ‘Squid Game’: if you are eliminated, you die, they are curious to know what new things await them in Season 2. In particular, the OX voting system, which is the core theme of this season and determines whether or not the game continues, goes beyond a simple rule and touches on the essence of human selfishness and desire for money, foreshadowing unpredictable developments.

The second point of interest is the fantastic ensemble of actors with diverse charms and solid acting skills. ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 will feature a more expanded narrative and game participants with various stories. From Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and Wi Ha-joon from Season 1 to new cast members Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-wook, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee Seo-hwan, Chae Kook-hee, Lee David, Noh Jae-won, Jo Yu-ri, Choi Seung-hyun, and Won Ji-an for Season 2. These actors, each with their own unique personalities, will dramatically portray the new stories of the characters in ‘Squid Game’.

Director Hwang Dong-hyeok added another variation to Season 1 by bringing the relationships between characters that started outside the game room into the game room in Season 2. The three-dimensional and organic development of the interrelationships between ‘Ki-hoon’ and his friend ‘Jeong-bae’ (Lee Seo-hwan), who reunite in the game after three years; ‘Myeong-gi’ (Im Si-wan) and ‘Jun-hee’ (Jo Yu-ri) who are ex-lovers; ‘Yong-sik’ (Yang Dong-geun) who enters the game to pay off his gambling debts and his mother ‘Geum-ja’ (Kang Ae-shim), foreshadows the dynamic fun of the play.

The third point to watch is the well-made production. ‘Squid Game’ creates a new world through the eerie yet beautiful contrast by vividly contrasting the game where the purest memories transform into cold reality in a fairy tale-like visual and colorful space. The production, which was born through numerous simulations by Director Hwang Dong-hyeok and the production team, raises expectations for a sophisticated and unique worldview.

Art director Chae Kyung-sun surprised viewers around the world with the overwhelming scale of Season 1, and in Season 2, she presents a dramatic atmosphere through visual devices that lead to a new story, such as the OX voting and the OX lighting object made of red and blue lights on the floor of the large accommodation.

Director of photography Kim Ji-yong made an effort to realistically capture the changed personality of ‘Ki-hoon’, the deeper drama of the characters, and the dynamic elements of the new game. Music director Jeong Jae-il, who increased the immersion of the work with the iconic OST of ‘Squid Game’, will captivate the ears of viewers with music of a more diverse concept, from vintage sounds to humorous yet warm melodies and strong electronic beats. In addition, the costumes and makeup that further highlight the character’s narrative have been upgraded, raising expectations.

Season 2 of ‘Squid Game’ will be available on Netflix on Thursday, December 26.

Jeong Hee-yeon, Donga.com reporter shine2562@donga.com