Things to Know Before Watching 'Squid Game 2'

"Squid Game" - the Korean blockbuster that has caused a global fever - released part two today, December 26. Here is some information that viewers should pay attention to before watching.

Grasp the content of the first part

The story revolves around Gi Hun (played by Lee Jung Jae), an unemployed middle-aged man who is addicted to gambling and owes hundreds of millions of won. To pay off his debt, Gi Hun accepts an invitation to participate in a strange game held on an isolated island. He and 455 other people must overcome six levels to receive a prize of 45.6 billion won.

By law, there can only be one winner, the losers will be killed by the organizers or the players themselves.

Compared to other works in the survival film genre, the script of "Squid Game" has its own appeal thanks to the exploitation of familiar folk games. Not only does the director build a layered script, he also continuously inserts twists in each episode. The work also incorporates stories about humanity and family affection, which are "specialties" of Korean films.

Netflix invested $21.4 million and earned an estimated $891 million from the project. The company estimates that about two-thirds of its subscribers watched the film. The film won six of its 14 Emmy nominations, including best directing, production design, visual effects, stunt performance, and best supporting actor and actress.

Part Two Background

The first part ends with Gi Hun winning 45.6 billion won. As he prepares to board a plane to the US to reunite with his daughter, he sees a mysterious agent (Gong Yoo) recruiting another player.

Three years later, Gi Hun is determined to find out who is behind the cruel game and put an end to it, including Hwang In Ho (Lee Byung Hun) - the coordinator - who has been monitoring his every move.

Director Hwang Dong Hyuk said, "The audience will get to see Gi Hun's darker side and deeper psychological depth." The project also focuses on some of the unresolved plots and characters such as Hwang In Ho, his younger brother - detective Hwang Jun Ho (Wi Ha Jun) - and the salesman who recruited Gi Hun.

Cast

According to Sports DongA, the casting team for the supporting characters will be from March to May 2023, and filming will begin in July of the same year. In June 2023, Netflix announced that stars Lee Jung Jae, Lee Byung Hun, Wi Ha Jun, and Gong Yoo will continue to participate in the second part. In an interview with Deadline, author Hwang Dong Hyuk left open the possibility of some of the old actors returning even though their characters died in the first part.

More than 10 new actors will join the show, such as Kang Ae Sim, rapper Yang Dong Guen, Kang Ha Neul, Park Gyu Young, Lee Jin Uk, Park Sung Hoon, Jo Yu Ri, and Choi Seung Hyun (TOP, former member of Big Bang).

Games

According to EW, most of the challenges in season two will be new, but all will be inspired by Korean children's games. One of the haunting segments in the first season was the hibiscus blooming game (similar to the game one two three in Vietnam).

Players must stand still after the giant Young Hee doll finishes singing and turns around. Anyone who moves loses.

In 2022, Hwang Dong Hyuk said that season two will introduce Young Hee's "boyfriend" named Cheol Su to fans. According to Koreaboo, Young Hee and Cheol Su are characters in Korean textbooks in the 20th century, described as close friends. In this season, Cheol Su's appearance promises to bring more terrifying chase scenes.

"Squid Game 2" not the last season

In July, Netflix said the final season of the franchise would premiere in 2025, after the second season ends. Director Hwang Dong Hyuk revealed that the confrontation between the two main characters will last until the final episode of the third season.

In addition to the TV series, the producer has launched the reality TV game Squid Game: The Challenge. in November 2023. The show consists of 10 episodes, simulating the 2021 series, filmed at Wharf Studios in London (UK), with the participation of 456 contestants. Vietnamese-American contestant Mai Whelan, 56 years old, won the prize of 4.56 million USD (more than 110 billion VND).