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Squid Game is one of the biggest Netflix shows of all time, so it was no surprise that Netflix not only renewed the show, but is reportedly planning to expand it into a franchise if they can, starting with an upcoming competition series based on the titular games.

In June 2022, the streamer officially renewed the series, though it seemed obvious for much longer that it would continue. After premiering in September 2021, Squid Game generated 2.2 billion hours viewed. Even shows like Stranger Things season 4, Wednesday, and Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story, couldn’t beat Squid Game (at least, not in overall viewing numbers).

It has been over two years since Squid Game premiered and we’re finally closer to the premiere date! According to a new article from Variety, Netflix is planning on releasing the show’s second season sometime this year, likely in the fall. That’s good news for fans, especially since the spinoff reality series Squid Game: The Challenge is over now and they’re waiting for their next Squid Game fix!

Squid Game season 2 latest news

We shared some of the biggest Squid Game season 2 updates below:

Netflix announced the full cast of Squid Game season 2 in June 2023.
Netflix shared a look at Squid Game season 2, along with the cast, at TUDUM 2023.
The production timeline for Squid Game season 2 has fallen into place. According to star Lee Jung-jae, production starts in the summer of 2023 and will last about 10 months.

Squid Game season 2 is happening

There was never any doubt Squid Game season 2 would happen on Netflix. The series was officially renewed in June 2022, which isn’t surprising at all given how successful the first season was. Since the first season premiered and caught on in the mainstream, everyone has been asking creator Hwang Dong-hyuk about season 2.

Hwang Dong-hyuk shared thoughts on season 2 with :

“But 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. So if I end up creating season two, 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. 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. So, I don’t know yet, but I’ll just say there are a lot of possibilities out there for season two storylines.”

We obviously don’t have any firm details regarding the season 2 plot, but during a recent interview with Ilgan Sports, star Lee Jung-jae who plays Seong Gi-hun revealed that the Front Man is returning and may play a more central role in the second season, which will have a revenge-centric plotline.

Squid Game season 2 cast

Netflix confirmed some of the Squid Game season 2 cast at TUDUM 2023. Weeks later, Netflix followed up and shared the full cast of Squid Game season 2.

We’ve seen many of the new cast members in other Netflix shows, including Park Gyu-young from Sweet Home, Kang Ae-sim from Move to Heaven, Lee Jin-uk from Sweet Home, and Won Ji-an from D.P. 

Netflix shared a picture of the new cast of the series.

We shared the Squid Game season 2 cast below:

Lee Jug-jae as Seung Gi-hun
Lee Byung-Hun as Front Man
Wi Ha-jun as Hwang Jun-Ho
Gong Yoo as The Salesman

While some of the Squid Game season 2 cast appeared in the first season, there will be many cast members from season 1 who will not return for season 2 because their characters were killed in the season. We saw A LOT of characters die during the challenges and outside of the challenges during the season. Jung Ho-yeon, Lee Yoo-mi, Park Hae-soo, and others will not return in season 2.

During an appearance to promote her new album Love All, singer/actress Jo Yu-ri spoke about her role in Squid Game season 2, according to The Korea Times. “It’s an honor just to be on the same set with all these legendary actors. I’ll do my best and I hope you’ll appreciate my acting when the second season is released,” she shared.

Squid Game season 2 is filming

During the interview with Ilgan Sports, Jung-jae revealed that Squid Game season 2 would finally begin filming this summer! He suggested that the second season might take even longer to film than season 1 because it’s going to be much larger in scope.

Here’s what Jung-jae’s shared about Squid Game season 2:

““Anyways, Squid Game 2 will begin filming in the summer and the filming will likely last for about 10 months. We were working on season 1 for about 10 months as well, but that was with delays caused by COVID-19. But seeing as season 2 will be bigger in scale, it will probably take longer to complete.””

Netflix confirmed the start of production at the end of June 2023. And that includes filming, as actress Park Gyu-young recently spoke about her experience on the set of the second season, making sure not to drop any spoilers. According to KDrama Stars, she said while appearing on the South Korean TV newscast JTBC Newsroom: “To tell you in detail, there are difficult parts, but I’m enjoying the filming.”

“I’m also trying to work hard to not fall behind and present a good performance that can reflect our passion and responsibility,” Park Gyu-young added.

Squid Game season 1 ending explained

At the end of Squid Game season 1, Seung Gi-hun wins the games and the prize of $456 million but at a tremendous cost. Gi-hun realized what was happening during the competition and how sick it was, while his ally Sang-woo was willing to literally backstab allies in his quest to the ultimate prize. After Sang-woo kills Sae-byeok, he faces off against Gi-hun in the final challenge. When Gi-hun appears to have won, he decides he can’t live with the burden of killing Sang-woo, who takes his own life in remorse of his actions and allows Gi-hun to win without the burden of killing him on his conscience.

Gi-hun doesn’t stop, though. He ties up some loose ends, finds out his mother died, meets with Oh Il-nam, who is surprisingly still alive. He explains the origin of the competition, which he founded. Gi-hun tries to help out the families of Sae-byeok and Sang-woo, but it’s unsatisfying to him. At the end of the season, he confronts the Front Man at the end of the season, seemingly promising his revenge.

We also see that Hwang, the detective, who is trying to find out what’s really going on is the brother of the Front Man. When he tries to sound the alarm on what’s going on, the Front Man shoots his brother. It looks like Hwang has been killed, but we know that’s not true. Hwang is alive! And, he’s confirmed to return in season 2.

What’s next in Squid Game season 2?

While we don’t know exactly what’s next and we’re absolutely sure there will be plenty of surprises in store, Squid Game season 2 will likely revolve around Gi-hun’s journey to stop the games. It’s unclear if he’ll be a contestant on the next round, but it’s definitely possible. It would be more interesting to see a new group of contestants, while also watching Gi-Hun try to stop the games.

We also will see the return of Hwang. Netflix confirmed that Wi Ha-jun, who plays Hwang, will be back in the new season. We don’t know how Hwang survived, but he was shot and left for dead by his brother. Perhaps, he and Gi-hun will join forces? That would be great to see!