Squid Game Season 2: All About the Highly-Anticipated Korean Thriller’s Next Installment

If Squid Game season 1 left you wanting more, you’re in luck!

Another round of lethal games is in store as Netflix recently announced the show’s return for a season 2 — news that came as no surprise since it became Netflix’s “biggest series launch ever” with over 111 million viewers.

“Red light… GREENLIGHT!” Netflix tweeted alongside the show’s renewal news, a nod to the first game introduced in the series.

Despite many fan-favorite characters’ fatal exits during Squid Game season 1, creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk has already teased which players will be back in addition to hinting at the plot.

“It took 12 years to bring the first season of Squid Game to life last year. But it took 12 days for Squid Game to become the most popular Netflix series ever,” Hwang said in a statement to Netflix.

He added, “As the writer, director and producer of Squid Game, a huge shout out to fans around the world. Thank you for watching and loving our show.”

Here’s everything we know about Squid Game season 2, so far.

What will Squid Game season 2 be about?

Prior to Squid Game‘s season 2 confirmation, Hwang previously mentioned that the series could’ve wrapped after one season, though he recognized it “ended in an open-ended way.”

“There are some other stories in the series that have not been addressed. For example, the story of the police officer and the story of his brother, The Front Man,” he told The Hollywood Reporter in October 2021. “So if I end up creating season 2, I’d like to explore that storyline — what is going on between those two brothers? And then I could also go into the story of that recruiter in the suit who plays the game of ddakji with Gi-hun and gives him the card in the first episode.”

The director added, “And, of course, we could go with Gi-hun’s story as he turns back, and explore more about how he’s going to navigate through his reckoning with the people who are designing the games.”

Fast forward to August 2022, Hwang shared an update with THR that his writing process has begun. Though he didn’t disclose specific details, he did confirm a major plot point that season 2 will explore.

“Seong Gi-hun has become a totally new person by the end of season one, so season two is going to be about what that new Gi-hun is going to do and how things will unfold with this new kind of character,” he revealed.

In September 2024, Netflix shared a teaser for the upcoming season, which shows Gi-hun back in his 456 tracksuit, along with the pink soldiers back in action.

“Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 gave up going to the States and comes back with a new resolution in his mind. Gi-hun once again dives into the mysterious survival game, starting another life-or-death game with new participants gathered to win the prize of 45.6 billion won,” says a synopsis for season 2.

Is there a trailer for Squid Game season 2?

In October 2024, Netflix released the first official trailer for season 2 — and within 24 hours it received more than 10 million views.

The 90-second teaser opens with Gi-hun, who is back in his 456 green tracksuit and surrounded by all new players. They all make their way to the red light, green light arena, where he warns the crowd to remain perfectly still.

“Once each of the games has concluded, you may call for a vote. If the majority agrees, you may take the accumulated prize money and leave,” one of the pink soldiers can be heard saying. “You may choose to stay and continue playing to increase your potential winnings or choose to stop the games now and leave. The decision is entirely up to you.”

Following the first game, Gi-hun pleads for the group to save themselves.

“Don’t do this to yourselves. Just focus on getting out of this place,” he says before yelling, “I’ve played these games before! If we don’t stop this, they will kill us all!”

Who’s returning for Squid Game season 2?

In June 2023, Netflix confirmed that Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-Hun, Wi Ha-jun, and Gong Yoo will all be back for season 2.

Despite most of the characters being killed off in season 1, Hwang noted to Deadline, “I’ll try something to bring them back to season 2.”

He teased that he might even bring back HoYeon Jung (who played Kang Sae-byeok in season 1) as her twin sister.

Who is joining the cast of Squid Game season 2?

During Tudum: A Global Fan Event in June 2023, it was announced that actors Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon and Yang Dong-guen would be joining the cast for the new season.

Netflix revealed that other new cast members joining the show in season 2 include Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-uk, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, Jo Yu-ri, and Won Ji-an.

When does Squid Game season 2 film?

During a conversation with Variety in September 2022, Hwang confirmed that the second season would start filming in 2023.

When will Squid Game season 2 premiere?

Squid Game season 2 will premiere on Dec. 26, 2024. Netflix revealed the release date for the second installment of the South Korean drama with a track-and-field-inspired teaser during the Olympics on July 31.

Will there be a Squid Game season 3?

While Squid Game has been renewed for a season 2, creator and director Hwang also told The Korea Times in December 2021 that he was in conversation with Netflix about a third season as well.

“I’m in talks with Netflix over season two as well as season three,” he said at the time. “We will come to a conclusion any time soon.”

In July 2024, Netflix confirmed that the third and final season of Squid Game will be released in 2025. The streamer announced the news on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram.