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Squid Game Season 2: Release Date, Plot, Cast, and Everything to Know

Red light, green light

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Kat Moon, Tmera Hepburn

The wait for Squid Game continues — but we're starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Netflix may have launched Squid Game: The Challenge, which featured (mostly) the same games as the ones in Hwang Dong-hyuk's Korean thriller, in late 2023, but the reality competition series just didn't hit the same. Its tone was entirely different from that of the original, and the theme of anti-capitalism that was a big part of the drama was largely scrubbed. Even though the reality series was an entertaining watch, it did not scratch the itch we have for Hwang's show to return. Thankfully, we got news that Squid Game will be back with Season 2 this year.

When Squid Game premiered in September 2021, it transcended language barriers and became Netflix's most-watched series ever. The Korean series had everything: a gripping premise, captivating performances, and a plot that only became more sinister as the show progressed. "I really wanted to create a story that will be immersive. And I wanted the viewers who watch Squid Game to start questioning themselves," creator Hwang told The Hollywood Reporter. "How am I living my life? Who am I among these characters, and what kind of world am I living in? I wanted these questions to be asked."

Squid Game: The Challenge Review: Netflix's Squid Game Reality Show Is a Perverse Misfire

Squid Game resonated with critics as well. In September 2022, the Korean series solidified its place in the TV history books when it won six Emmy Awards, including Lead Actor in a Drama Series for Lee Jung-jae and Directing for a Drama Series for Hwang, in the process becoming the first show not in English to win these categories. 

We don't know exactly when Squid Game Season 2 will launch the next round of death games, but a 2024 release date is confirmed. Netflix has also announced the players entering the hellish arena. It will take us more time to recover from the gory ends of our favorite characters in Season 1 (watching Sae-byeok's gradual decline was just painful!), but we're ready to become attached to the new contestants only for them to be ripped away one by one.

Here's everything we know about Squid Game Season 2.

Squid Game

Squid Game

Netflix

Squid Game Season 2 latest news

On Feb. 1, Netflix dropped a first look clip — and some photos — of Squid Game Season 2. In a video teasing what's coming to the platform in 2024, Netflix teases the next chapter of the Korean thriller. Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) is seen walking in the airport, with a man on the phone telling him, "You're going to regret the choice you made." Gi-hun replies: "I will find you. No matter what it takes." 

Squid Game Season 2 first look

On Feb. 1, Netflix also shared photos from the upcoming season of Squid Game. There are some familiar faces: Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun, Lee Byung-hun as the Front Man, and Gong Yoo as the Salesman. But we also meet a character played by Park Gyu-young, best known for her roles in It's Okay to Not Be Okay and Sweet Home.

Park Gyu-young, Squid Game

Park Gyu-young, Squid Game

Netflix

When is Squid Game Season 2 coming out? 

Squid Game Season 2 is coming in 2024, Deadline reported on Jan. 23. According to the publication, Netflix announced the second chapter of the series is coming in a letter to shareholders.

Squid Game Season 2 cast

Most of our favorite characters died in Season 1. It's hard to imagine Squid Game without the likes of Park Hae-soo's Sang-woo and Jung Hoyeon's Kang Sae-byeok, but alas, we have no choice. On June 17 at Tudum: A Global Fan Event, Netflix shared a cast announcement video for Squid Game Season 2. Sure, we all knew that Lee Jung-jae's main character Seong Gi-hun, aka Player 456, would be back for a second round of death games. But this video revealed the new players also competing for their lives. 

Lee Byung-hun will return as the Front Man, while Wi Ha-jun will return as Hwang Jun-ho. The latter is a pleasant surprise since the last time we saw Jun-ho, he was shot by his brother, the Front Man, and fell off a cliff. And Squid Game fans will be thrilled to learn that Gong Yoo, who appeared only for brief moments in Season 1, is also coming back. 

The video also introduces new players: Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon, and Yang Dong-geun all press the green button that indicates game on. We don't know anything about their characters just yet.

On June 28, Netflix unveiled the rest of Squid Game Season 2's cast. They include Park Gyu-young, Jo Yu-ri, and Kang Ae-shim. Also joining the cast are Lee David, Lee Jin-uk, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, and, last but not least, Won Ji-an. Here's a look at the newly announced stars. 

Choi Seung-hyun, Lee Jin-uk, Won Ji-an, Park Gyu-young, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Jo Yu-ri, Roh Jae-won

Choi Seung-hyun, Lee Jin-uk, Won Ji-an, Park Gyu-young, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Jo Yu-ri, Roh Jae-won

Netflix

Along with the final cast announcement, Netflix offered a look at the first table read. 

Top row from left: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul Second row from left: Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Jo Yu-ri, Wi Ha-jun Third row from left: Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-uk

Top row from left: Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul
Second row from left: Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Jo Yu-ri, Wi Ha-jun
Third row from left: Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-uk

Netflix

What else to know about Squid Game Season 2

It took a long time for Squid Game to get officially renewed; the Season 2 pick-up was announced in June 2022, nine months after the series premiered. Along with the show's renewal for a second season, Netflix tweeted a letter from creator Dong-hyuk in which he confirms "a whole new round" of games is in store.

Where to watch Squid Game

Season 1 of Squid Game is available to stream.