Squid Game director, Hwang Dong-hyuk has confirmed he is planning for Squid Game season two, despite previous remarks to the contrary. Although Hwang has not said how and when the global sensation’s follow-up will grace our screens, he has promised that “Gi-Hun will come back, and he will do something for the world.”
The dystopian show follows protagonist Seong Gi-Hun, played by Lee Jung-Jae, who, along with 464 other financially struggling participants, compete in schoolyard games to win £28million. But there’s a gruesome twist: you lose, you die.
Read Alex Rigotti’s review of Squid Game here.
Inspired by the director’s own experience of financial struggle, extortion of the indebted and impoverished in Squid Game has resonated with global audiences, overcoming cultural and language barriers to become Netflix’s biggest show. Easily surpassing Shonda Rhime’s Bridgerton, the steaming giant is rumored to have paid $21.4m for the series, delivering $900 million in “impact value”, by bringing in 4.4m subscribers.
The ending of the anti-capitalist allegory nicely sets up a sequel. In its final moments, we see sole-game-winner Gi-Hun, turning away from a plane that would reunite him with his daughter, a vengeful look on his face. Still traumatized from preceding events, accompanied by a more-than-questionable haircut, he discovers the games are still ongoing. Will season two see Gi-Hun takedown the elusive game-runner, and the tyrannical upper classes who bet on the lives of players for entertainment?
Insofar, no storyline has been confirmed. Although Hwang has alluded that the Frontman, an ex-cop played by Lee Byung-Hun, and the corruption of police officers could be the focus. Wi Ha-Joon has also hinted at his return portraying Jun-Ho, the Frontman’s detective brother who infiltrates the tournament.
Whatever the plot, it is likely we will not see season two anytime soon. For Hwang, simultaneously creating, writing, and directing season one was a long and difficult process; it was so demanding that he even lost sixth teeth in the process.
Further delaying season two is Hwang’s other projects. In the effort to not become ‘the Squid Game guy’ Hwang has been lobbying Netflix to screen three of his previous films and is also working on a film called KO Club. However, Hwang has commented he would “consider using a writers’ room and would want multiple experienced directors,” to assist him on season two, potentially speeding up the process.
A Netflix spokesman has commented that while discussions were ongoing, it is not yet confirmed.
Words by Elina Ganatra
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