Squid Game Season 2 (2024)

Let's just call it what it is: Squid Game Season 2 Part 1

If I could sum up my initial thoughts of Squid Game season two, it would be this: characters I didn’t really care for, but the actors in those roles put on good performances. A storyline that highlights the dangers of tribalism along with rehashing themes from the first. Lastly, pacing that was always gonna make a lot of people feel dissatisfied because of how Netflix structures their seasons.

Like the first season, season two has some pretty solid social commentary on inequality, the wealth gap and how desperation for money creates monsters. However, unlike season one, I personally didn’t care or sympathize for the characters and their desperate attempts to pay off debts this time around.

In season two, we, as an audience, are thrust into a world where many of the main characters are already at the stage of being monsters. This is different from season 1 where we witness a handful of “well-meaning” folks slowly lose their morals as the game progresses. Starting out with more irremediably horrible people than good yet desperate people doesn’t necessarily make for good entertainment. Especially considering, the characters as a whole, are forgettable.

But the actors though? Great performances as to be expected. But sadly again, good performances don't equal memorable characters in this case.

Storyline wise, it hits all the familiar beats of season one but without soul. I mean, the social and economical commentary is clear, but each episode lacks the proper intensity and dread that comes with seeing people you’re rooting for get violently get yeeted out of existence. Many parts felt hollow because significant time was spent on annoying characters than others with potentially interesting storylines.

As for pacing, I feel like this season is a good case study on how money and overall external pressure can influence creative decisions/direction.

I think you could make a strong argument that S2 wasn’t necessary and I wouldn’t disagree. I mean, factually speaking, S2 was never gonna be a thing, at least not this soon, but typical corporate practices aka the Netflix and all streaming platform model made it a reality. Also, S2 was gonna be longer instead of separated between S2 and S3, but again, streaming platforms being streaming platforms.

The writer, Hwang Dong-hyuk was more than willing to accept the boat loads of cash to make a follow up and all I can say to that is “get your money, sir!” Seriously. This man lost nine teeth during the stressful process of creating S1. And to add insult to injury, he didn’t even get paid a lot at the time. Writers being overworked, underpaid and underappreciated is nothing new in the business, so I’m glad he was finally able to get the proper compensation for his hard work, albeit, years later for a second season that wasn’t planned for.

BUT I still feel like the writer was creatively taxed and limited in his vision this time by having to stick to a short season when he intended on having one longish length follow up and conclusion all in one. With that said, it was hard for me to rate this as it was intentionally incomplete.

Anyway, I’m not saying it was a bad follow up, but I’m not saying it was good either. To me, it was okay. Just, okay. The potential was there for it to be good. Obviously not to the level of the first, but it definitely could have kept my attention longer by changing things up and making things more interesting.

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No New Tricks For This Pony

My 4 categories are Acting/Cast, Writing, Direction/SFX/Music, Entertainment Value.

Being suspenseful doesn't mean it's good...
Full disclosure: I'm not a fan of the 1st season. I had given it a 4/10.

Acting/Cast: A more recognizable cast this time around. One of my favorite actors is in this season, Yim Si Wan (임시완). I ended up liking his character the most. Actually, I like this season's cast of characters a lot. It's a shame that the the character building was as weak as it was... Everything felt so forced, inauthentic, and rushed. However, the acting is good for the most part (although the writing did hurt it). I would say the main character, played by Lee Jung Jae (이정재), stood out to me as feeling inauthentic with his acting. I liked him in the 1st season though, when he was just an average joe. Now he's trying to be Batman or something. 6/10

Writing: This is the area that really ruins this series for me...and even more so this season. Things happen that just don't make sense logically and psychologically. A huge issue I had with the 1st season is the stupid ass voting system. What are the odds that it would be split 50/50? Can someone do the math on that? Ok...now image those odds happening two more times. It's so dumb. Speaking of dumb, the lead is an idiot. Basically, this season is watching a bunch of people doing every single thing wrong. It's very frustrating. How does the main character get tricked the same exact way? He, of all people, should be the one who should know better. Long story short, this season is a rehashing of the 1st, but done even worse. The shock value of the games is gone, the emotional impact of characters dying is gone, the secondary police officer storyline feels useless, and this season ends abruptly with a cliffhanger. If I would have known that this season wasn't complete, I wouldn't have watched. I would have waited for season 3 (or season 2 part 2). By the way, 3% and The Hunger Games did this plot better. 3% is also a Netflix drama with a similar plot and suspiciously similar scenes and characters. I liked 3% a lot, especially the 1st season, and I can't help but feel like Squid Game is just a poorly executed Korean version. 1/10

Direction/SFX/Music: One thing this drama does right is the cinematography, the SFX, and the iconography (that of which has made Squid Game very marketable). It's nice visually, it's eye-catching, and it makes you want to keep watching. This season had a different vibe from the 1st, however. The 1st season had more of a sense of dread, eeriness, and hopelessness while this season is more...fun? The best way I can describe it, is that it feels like that frozen in bullet time bar scene from the movie The Other Guys. I don't know how to feel about that. 5.5/10

Entertainment Value: So stressful, so frustrating, and then it gets the the point where I'm rolling my eyes at the repetitively bad writing. I can't look away, though. So, I'll give it that. I want to see where they take this story. Also, I'm so glad the VIPs weren't in this season. That was another thing that ruined season 1 for me. The VIPs were terrible...the acting, the dialogue writing...just cringey as hell. I hope they will continue to refrain from torturing me with that mess in season 3 as well. 2/10

Overall, I gave season 2 of Squid Game a 3.5/10. Worse than season 1 in every way except for the more recognizable cast maybe. It is also unfinished, so I wouldn't recommend watching this until season 3 is released. And because it's unfinished, it's harder for me to judge it. 3.5 makes sense for now though, since I had given season 1 a 4 and this season is definitely worse.

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Season 2: A Decent Sequel That Couldn’t Escape Season 1’s Shadow

Season 2 sparked mixed reactions, with opinions divided on its execution. While it didn’t quite meet the bar set by its stellar predecessor, it certainly wasn’t just filler. Here’s a closer look:

Highlights:

- Gong Yoo’s brief yet unforgettable appearance in Episode 1 oozes psychopathic charm and sets the tone for a gripping start.

- Episode 6’s Mingle game on the carousel was a standout moment, injecting the season with much-needed intensity. It recaptured some of the exhilaration of Season 1’s nail-biting tension.

Narrative Strengths and Missed Opportunities:

- Player 001, the Front Man’s active involvement added layers of complexity and intrigue to the story. The dynamic of the wolf hiding among the sheep, particularly under Seung Gi-Hun’s nose, was clever. However, the lack of a surprising reveal for viewers lessened its emotional impact.

- The introduction of new characters brought fresh energy to the season. Performances by Yim Si Wan, Kang Ha Neul, and Lee Jin Wook were commendable but left underexplored. Park Sung Hoon, as Hyunju Unni, stood out with a stellar portrayal, and supporting roles like No. 149 (Geumja) and 390 added compelling moments. Unfortunately, some characters were given excessive focus, diluting the narrative.

Drawbacks:

- The organ trafficking subplot felt unnecessary and disconnected from the premise of fairness within the games. It detracted from the overarching tension rather than enhancing it.

- Seung Gi-Hun’s moral stance appeared hypocritical at times, as he grappled with sacrificing a few for a perceived greater good. This inconsistency left his character arc less impactful than in Season 1.

- The finale, while ambitious, fell short. A small team facing off against the "big boss" and an undercover traitor was bold, but the lack of resources and an overly predictable outcome diminished its impact.

Final Thoughts:

Season 2 doesn’t quite recapture the magic of Season 1, but it offers moments of brilliance and excitement. The inclusion of familiar K-drama actors elevates the series, and their performances bring depth to an otherwise uneven season.

Despite its flaws, Season 2 is still worth watching, and it lays a promising foundation for an explosive Season 3.

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ReVieW Of ThE SeRieS

I just wanted to say Season 2 is way better & enjoyable than Season 1. Really it's thrilling. Loved all the episodes. In episode 1 Gong yoo just nailed it. His role was mind-blowing. Lee Jung jae made a team and did lots of preparation in order to get them .Real game started from Episode 4 with red light green light like season 1. The main twist is that Lee Byung hun is also playing in this game as Player 1 along with Lee Jung jae Player 496. I am surprised and got excited after Park Hee soon appearance, but he just appeared few times. 2nd Game was twist turner, the way the first team played and won the game was just very amazing.I loved the 3rd Mingle game and round-round OST was very sweet . That song was just giving relaxation in that thriller moments. Series was made great, filled with thrills twist turns mystery action gore violence, little commedy as well. I just loved whole cast. Acting was great. OSTs were just awesome .Best cinematography. Rest I enjoyed watching it. I just started watching at afternoon 1:40 pm and continued till it complete. I didn't get bored at a single moment. Watching it was worth it. Now; I'm just excited for the second part of Season 3. Hope I will come soon !!!

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A not needed sequel, less thrilling than S1

To be honest, I was part of the people that find that season 1 of Squid Game was enough by itself and did not warrant a continuation. However, I still decided to watch the season 2 to see what it was about. Overall, I have the same take away than for the original show: great production value but some flaws in the writing and pacing. There is also of course less of an effect of surprise and an impact that when season 1 was released, as the concept is not new anymore.

The ensemble cast remains solid. There a couple of actors that I found were a bit overplaying their roles : T.O.P (as the rapper) and Chae Gook Hee (as the shaman) were clearly doing too much in a almost caricatural way. But there were also a couple of great addition to the cast that did an excellent job in portraying their characters, giving them layers that I think were not necessarily detailed by the script: Kang Ha Neul, Yim Si Wan and Park Sung Hoon.

Production value is impressive. There is a clear cinematography that leaves an impact with the gore and bloody details on top of colorful and childish decors. The soundtrack was quite good in fitting with the angsty vibe of the story.

I would recommend this to people if you have seen the first season of course. I think this season 2 is beneath season 1 but it seems also to be just an introduction to season 3 which I hope will be reaping the benefits of all what's established by the season 2. The production value is still very impressive, there are some ups and downs in terms of writing with less effect of surprise and a filler side quest out of the game.

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The games are back. Are you ready to play?

Three years after the global success of *Squid Game* in 2021, the highly anticipated second season has arrived, bringing with it an even more intense and complex narrative. For those who loved the thrill of the first season, the second is sure to deliver more suspense and gripping drama. However, if you're not a fan of slow pacing or unresolved endings, you might want to reconsider watching it.

Season two takes the deadly games to a new level, shifting the focus from mere survival to uncovering the dark forces controlling the brutal competition. While the season does move the story forward, much of it feels like a setup for the next season, which is slated for release in 2025. As a result, viewers may find themselves drawn into a long buildup, eagerly awaiting the big revelations.

The season starts with Seong Gi-hun, the sole winner from season one, reentering the game. The contest spans six days with six games, and the winner takes home 45.6 billion won ($31.1 million). The format feels familiar, but there are key changes that add both excitement and depth to the story. Notably, a new voting system allows players to decide whether to continue the game or stop it after each round. This dramatic twist adds chaos, greed, and moral dilemmas, with the prize money increasing as more players are eliminated. These elements provoke viewers to reflect on the cost of human greed and the lengths people will go to for money, even in a life-or-death situation.

Another significant shift is Gi-hun’s transformation. In the first season, he was a recipient of help, but in season two, he becomes the one offering assistance. Actor Lee Jung-jae delivers a powerful portrayal of Gi-hun’s internal struggle and determination as he navigates the complex moral questions surrounding the game.

While the season is rich in character development, those expecting non-stop action may be disappointed. The pacing is slower than season one, with more focus on the contestants’ backstories and philosophical themes about humanity, reality, and morality. This shift in tone is captured in poignant moments, such as when the Front Man tells Gi-hun, "The game will not end unless the world changes."

The new season also introduces a more diverse range of characters, each with their own personal stakes and motivations. From Hyun-ju, a transgender woman, to Yong-sik and Geum-ja, a mother and son, to Gyeong-seok, a father with a sick daughter, the show continues to explore deep human emotions and connections.

In terms of the games, season two mixes in new challenges, including traditional Korean childhood games like *gonggi* (Korean jacks), *biseok chigi* (hitting a stone slab), Ddakji, and *jegi chagi* (a game similar to hacky sack). While the new games add variety and interest, there is less focus on the game scenes compared to season one. The first major game, *Red Light, Green Light*, doesn’t occur until two hours into the season, and only three rounds of games are played, compared to the six in the first season. This slower pacing emphasizes the unraveling mystery behind the games rather than the action itself.

Despite the slower pace and cliffhanger ending, season two of *Squid Game* is still a thrilling continuation of the story. With larger sets, a bigger cast, and more complex themes, it builds on the legacy of the first season and leaves viewers eagerly anticipating what’s to come. But if you're looking for closure, be warned: the show ends on a major cliffhanger that will leave you wanting more.

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Dumb and Boring

What a letdown. After a successful Season 1, this was a mess with it's unintelligent, run of the mill, with no concrete story line and just flying by the seat of their pants. My biggest problem was our hero Seong Gi Hun, who realized that the money he won was blood money. He wanted revenge against the rich who exploited the plight and desperation of the poor and used them as blood sport for their own amusement.

Ge Hun had tons of money at his disposal but he's dumb. Couldn't he come up with a better plan than hiring a few thugs to look for his enemy? After all, he was up against a group of very wealthy individuals with so much power and influence, who hid behind their veneer of respectability. a cruel thirst for blood lust, regarding the poor like cockroaches they can stamp on for entertainment.

If I were him, I would have hired experts to identify each and everyone involved, their family, their concubines, every little detail of their lives and then, coerce them and their loved ones into participating as contestants in the squid game. That will be the ultimate revenge.

This 2nd season gave me the impression that it came from the imagination of an amateur who just copied and pasted parts of season 1 and called it season 2.

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Squid Game Season Two: A Gripping Continuation of Desperation and Deception

Squid Game Season 2 continues the gripping narrative established in the first season, diving deeper into the psychological and social implications of its deadly games. Picking up two years after Seong Gi-hun’s (Lee Jung-jae) victory, the season explores his transformation from a desperate player to a vengeful seeker of justice against the shadowy figures behind the Games. The character arcs are notably more complex this season. Gi-hun is portrayed as a haunted man, driven by guilt and rage, which adds depth to his motivations. The introduction of new characters, including those who operate outside the Games, enriches the storyline and provides fresh perspectives on the moral dilemmas faced by participants. The performances, particularly by Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun (as Hwang In-ho), are commendable, showcasing their characters’ emotional turmoil and evolution.
The initial episodes focus on Gi-hun’s quest for revenge rather than immediate participation in the Games, which offers a refreshing change of pace. However, some critics argue that these early episodes feel like filler before returning to the familiar structure of deadly competitions. Once Gi-hun re-enters the arena as Player 456 again, the series regains its momentum, blending thrilling action with poignant commentary on wealth disparity and societal issues. While Season 1 was heavily steeped in satire regarding capitalism and class struggles in South Korea, Season 2 shifts towards a more personal narrative centered on vengeance. This change may dilute some of the original’s biting critique but allows for exploration of new themes such as healthcare inequality and moral ambiguity among both players and guards.

Overall, Squid Game Season 2 successfully expands upon its predecessor while introducing new elements that keep viewers engaged. Although it occasionally struggles with pacing and thematic consistency, it ultimately delivers a compelling continuation of Gi-hun’s story that leaves audiences eager for more and also as Season 2 concludes, it sets the stage for an even more intense third season. With unresolved plot lines and character fates hanging in balance, fans are left eager for what lies ahead in this darkly captivating saga.

THANK U FOR READING THIS!!!

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