Squid Game – Copyright. Siren Pictures Inc.
Having taken the entire world by storm, Squid Game is one of Netflix’s most successful Originals to be released ever and is easily the most popular South Korean title to land on the platform, even outperforming Kingdom. The grand success of Squid Game has come as a surprise to many, including Netflix’s very own chief content officer Ted Sarandos. That being said, we’re still waiting on any news of renewal, but we’ll be keeping track of everything you need to know about Squid Game season 2.
Written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, Squid Game is a South Korean Netlfix Original thriller series, and one of the most popular titles we’ve seen from the country since Kingdom and Crash Landing on You.
The series is a credit to Netflix’s growing investment in South Korea, which has seen hundreds of millions of dollars being invested into Korean movies and television shows.
Has Netflix renewed Squid Game for a second season?
Official Netflix Renewal Status: Pending (Last Updated: 30/09/2021)
We fully expected Squid Game to be popular, but we weren’t quite expecting the series to become the worldwide phenomenon it recently found itself as. Amassing an audience of tens of millions from across the world, according to reports, Squid Game is currently on track to become Netflix’s most-watched original series ever and could beat the likes of Lupin and Bridgerton.
But how has this impacted renewal for a second season? Extremely little at this time, due to the fact that Netflix hasn’t renewed the South Korean thriller as of yet. The streaming service can somewhat be forgiven, as it is currently riding the unexpected high of its viral series.
Hwang Dong-hyuk stance on Season 2
Hwang Dong-hyuk is the writer and director of Squid Game and is arguably the most important cog in the machine for the future of the series on Netflix. Thanks to an interview Hwang Dong-hyuk recently had with Variety, we’ve been given a lot of insight into how the gifted Korean filmmaker feels about making a second season of Squid Game.
Describing the process of making Squid Game as “long and stressful,” Hwang Dong-hyuk has expressed he is happy with the show’s success but is reluctant to jump back into the thick of it so soon, or the very least to continue the series alone.
Hwang Dong-hyuk has a reputation for working on projects alone and to his credit, it has brought the director great success in his career. But, he has expressed that if he were to return to Squid Game he would consider a writers room, and using multiple experienced directors to help him.
Hwang Dong-hyuk on the set of Squid Game
A worldwide phenomenon
Given the overwhelming success of Squid Game we’d be shocked if Netflix hasn’t approached Hwang Dong-hyuk already to discuss potential talks of renewal.
At the time of writing Squid Game is currently trending in the top 10 lists of 83 countries around the world. Out of the 83, a total of 80 countries has seen Squid Game sit in the coveted number one spot.
What could we expect from Squid Game season 2?
The Frontman defects?
The mystery of the identity of the games Frontman lead to a dramatic and tragic reveal for Detective Hwang Joon Ho, who had been searching for his missing brother. Unable to send any of his evidence of the games back to the police, Hwang Joon Ho was confronted by the Frontman who revealed his identity to be that of Hwang In Ho, Joon Ho’s missing brother. Refusing to cooperate with his brother, In-Ho was left with no choice but to shoot Joon Ho, which lead to his little brother falling off the cliff.
In-Ho made the tragic decision to shoot his brother – Copyright. Siren Pictures Inc.
Shaken by his actions, In Ho is haunted by what he did to his brother which could lead to massive repercussions of later games.
As the Frontman of the games, In Ho is strategically placed to sabotage the entire operation if he were to turn against the VIPs.
There’s also a chance that Joon Ho survived his fall as Squid Game follows the TV troupe of characters who are believed to have died off-screen, aren’t actually dead at all.
Gi-Hon Infiltrates/Sabotages the games?
Scarred by his time spent in the games, Gi-Hon was on the road to recovery and had finally begun moving on with his life. But to Gi-Hon’s horror, he witnessed the same games salesman who had recruited him, attempt to recruit a new potential games candidate.
He couldn’t confront the game recruiter, but he was able to take the card away from the new candidate. By phoning the number on the card Gi-Hon once again spoke with the Frontman, confirming that he was still being watched by the organization. Refusing to board his plane that would take him to see his daughter, Gi-Hon instead leaves, heavily insinuating that he is out for revenge against those responsible.
Gi-Hon has the money, and the motivation of revenge to get back at those responsible for the games. Technically, Gi-Hon is not the only survivor, as there have been previous winners of the games going back a few decades. If he can find any like-minded victims, together they may be able to pool their money and find a way to infiltrate where the games take place.
Gi-Hon isn’t finished with the games yet – Copyright. Siren Pictures Inc.
The Identity of the VIPs revealed?
So far we’ve only seen the face reveal of one of the game’s VIPs, which almost lead to Joon Ho getting evidence to the mainland.
The games wouldn’t be possible without the backing of the VIPs, which means if they can be taken down then so will the games. Gi-Hun knows of the existence of the VIPs thanks to Il Nam revealing that the games were simply a form of escapism for him and his rich friends. If Gi-Hun can figure out who Il Nam was in business with, then Gi-Hun may be able to target them.
Who are the VIPs? – Copyright. Siren Pictures Inc.
When could we expect to see Squid Game season 2 on Netflix?
Given the comments made by Hwang Dong-hyuk, we’re potentially years away from seeing a second season of Squid Game on Netflix.
As we alluded to above, the director is reluctant to return to Squid Game without help from seasoned directors and a decent writing room. But, he is also reluctant to return to the series so soon after finishing when he has plans to return working feature films such as KO Club (Killing Old Men Club), which he is currently drafting and pitched the premise as an inter-generational war.
Even with assistance, we’re potentially years away from a second season of Squid Game on Netflix.
Would you like to see a second season of Squid Game on Netflix? Let us know in the comments below!