The most anticipated K-drama of the year is finally here! Hwang Dong-hyuk’s survival thriller is back with a bang. Does Season 2 of Netflix’s Squid Game meet the soaring expectations? Let’s check out.
Storyline
Set three years after Gi-hun (Player 456) walked away as the winner in Season 1, he returns to the deadly games—this time with a mission to expose the mastermind and stop the competition.
The format remains familiar, with six games and the addition of a voting option after each round. While the team games are more engaging as compared to the individual ones, the narrative retains its signature mix of strategy, tension, greed, and disloyalty. The participants once again face brutal eliminations, testing their physical strength, skills, emotions, and luck to the limit. The influencing for votes or survival happens with threats, violence and even killing. The Front Man who takes the place of Oh II-nam from season-1 joins in as player 001 and teams up with Gi-hun. Meanwhile, cop Hwang and his team try to trace the location of the island where the games are being held.
You hope to know: Will Gi-hun succeed in preventing the killings? Who will win the jackpot?
Our critique
Season 1 revolutionised the survival drama genre, setting an extremely high bar. While Season 2 introduces a fresh twist with the inclusion of a mysterious participant, the core —green and pink uniforms, the bunk beds, and the overall set-up—stays familiar.
The new season leans heavily on emotional aspects, focusing on lengthy discussions and sentimental moments. However, this shift slows the narrative pace and the high-stakes games that defined Season-1 feels somewhat diluted. Towards the end, a never-ending gun fight kills off your left-over patience in the show. Worse still, your questions remain unanswered and we have to wait for another season to get to the conclusion.
Screen Performances
Lee Jung-jae delivers a strong performance as Gi-hun, showcasing his determination and prowess. Lee Byung-hun is convincing as the enigmatic new player 001. Gong Yoo continues to bring his charm as The Recruiter and this time brings darker shades of his character. About 10-12 of the other players have a meaningful role to play and they do well. Though, not many leave a lasting impression.
Overall opinion
Squid Game Season 2 has its moments, but the lack of novelty and slow pace make it less gripping than its predecessor. If you like emotional drama, you may find the narrative decent. But if you are a die-hard fan like me, hoping to see more thrills and action from the point where season-1 left us, you might lose interest along the way.
Our rating
