Everything you need to know

After becoming Netflix's most-watched original show, squid game Season 2 returned with even more twisted competitions and deadly games. squid game The first season focused on a group of ordinary people invited to participate in the titular event, a secret competition that brings serious consequences for its losers. All those selected carry heavy financial burdens, the kind of debt that can make life one big ball of stress. Despite the likelihood of death, if winning the game can make their lives less hellish, the contestants are on board.

squid game burst onto the scene and was instantly loved by critics and viewers, then generated a huge amount of positive word of mouth for Netflix's record-breaking ratings. Following its success, Netflix sought to make squid game in a broader universe, with multiple spin-offs in development. It's no surprise that squid game season two was greenlit, although the wait was excruciatingly long. When the second season finally arrived in December 2024, the Korean masterpiece brought even more thrills and chills.

Squid Game Season 2 Critical Reception

A second season that lives in the shadow of the first

As one of the most anticipated series in TV history, squid game the second season had a lot to live up to. Unfortunately, it seems like the sophomore release hasn't managed to break out of its predecessor's shadow, despite being very good. Picking up a respectable Rotten tomatoes score in the 80s, the biggest criticism of the season seems to be that it drags on throughout the first few episodes (through The Guardian). This doesn't detract from the character's excellent work, something that got high marks from most critics.

Although many reviews seemed to disagree on whether a second season was even necessary TelaRant chose to accentuate the positive points, something that the second season had in spades. One of the improvements that Season 2 added was the expanded scope and While the show still offers unsubtle takes on ideas like income inequality, it's not the only idea being explored.

Squid Game Season 2 Cast

Who plays the Squid game?

THE squid game The cast of season 2 has been partially confirmed long before many other details about the second season were available. A casting video premiered at the Netflix Tudum event and showed the surviving season 1 cast members who would be returning for season 2. This included Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun, Lee Byeong-Heon as Hwang In-ho, Wi Ha-Joon as Hwang Jun-ho, and Gong Yoo as the person who recruits participants for the game.

There were also 12 new cast members joining squid game season 2, and they make up the bulk of the players who joined Gi-hun:

• Kang Ha-Neul

• Yim Si Wan

• Sung-Hoon Park

• Yang Dong-Geun

• Park Gyu Young

• Jo Yu Ri

• Kang Ae Yes

• Lee David

• Lee Jin-United Kingdom

• Choi Seung Hyun

• Roh Jae Won

• Ji-An won

The confirmed cast of squid game season 2 includes:

Actor	Squid game role
Lee Jung-jae	Seong Gi-hun
Lee Byeong Heon	Hwang In-ho/The frontman
Wi Ha Joon	Hwang Jun-ho
Gong Yoo	The Salesman
Kang Ha Neul	Dae-ho
Yim Si Wan	Myung-gi
Sung-Hoon Park	Hyun-ju
Yang Dong Geun	Yong-sik
Park Gyu Young	No-eul
Jo Yu-ri	Jun-hee
Kang Ae-sim	Geum-ja
Lee David	Min-su
Lee Jin-uk	Gyung-seok
Choi Seung Hyun	Su-bong
Roh Jae-won	Nam-gyu
Ji-an won	Semi

Squid Game Season 2 Trailer

Watch the teasers below

With the second season's premiere date set for December 2024, Netflix has revealed more than one provocation trailer for squid game season 2. The first begins with an obviously distraught Gi-hun being confronted by Front Man at his door, the teaser then transitions to the masked guards as they prepare the arena for more deadly games. Gi-hun is once again back in the green and white jumpsuit and is just one of the many new players who will compete in the games. While the teaser doesn't reveal much, it does hint at a new game involving a rainbow painted on the ground.

Netflix followed up the first trailer with another centered on the character provocationwhen they released a brief clip centered on the mysterious Salesman. The trailer begins with the recruiter going through his morning routine before heading out into the city for a day of work. With his red and blue Ddakji piece in hand, the Salesman speaks directly to the camera as he asks the viewer if they want to play with him. Interestingly, the teaser's final scene takes place at the same train station where Gi-hun was recruited in squid game season 1.

Instead of a full trailer, Netflix released a third provocation to squid game Season 2 that catches up with Gi-hun at the start of the games. Returning to the familiar games with a reluctant frown, Gi-hun takes a photo and joins the others for a game of "Red Light, Green Light." Although Gi-hun tries to help others understand the gravity of the situation, some contestants are brutally murdered. He later tries to convince everyone to give up on the games, but the greedy competitors turn on him and accuse him of working against them.

Squid Game season 2 end and spoilers

The games aren't over yet

After the surprise twist at the end of squid game Season 1, Season 2 was expected to similarly tease its successor. Not only did squid game the season 2 finale teases the upcoming third installment, but also clearly set the story in motion for a climactic ending to the entire series. Unlike the open-and-shut story found in Season 1, Season 2 leaves many questions unanswered and is clearly just the first part of a two-season arc that will ultimately conclude the show in Season 3.

Squid Game Season 3 Setup

A third season is already confirmed

Weeks before the premiere of season 2, Netflix confirmed that squid game would return for a third and final season in 2025. As such, the end of squid game Season 2 is really just the beginning of the final story arc that will be explored in the final season. Unlike the previous season, which completed the games in one go, squid game Season 3 will likely chronicle the second half of the titular games that began in Season 2.