Squid Game Season 1 became a huge worldwide hit, with its intense plot and deep story about social class, and survival. Squid games is a fictional TV show set and made in Korea, about childhood games that is played for money, with the risk of losing being death. Season 2 has been highly anticipated, with fans eager to see how the main character Gi-Hun’s story would continue and what new challenges would arise after he made it out of the squid games last season and what games would be played. I was super excited to watch this. This was the most anticipated season of television in 2024. So, does Season 2 live up to the hype? Let’s find out. (SPOILER FREE!)
For anyone who hasn’t watched it before, I will give a brief breakdown of the details and plot. This is a Korean drama, and the main character is Gi-Hun. In the first season, we see Gi-hun and 455 other players go into these squid games, because they are millions of yen in debt. Gi-Hun has no other choice because he owes 400 million to loan sharks, and has a month to pay it. These games are advertised as childhood games, which they are, Except for the fact that if you lose these games, you will be eliminated, and die. The total prize money is 45 billion yen.In total, there were 6 games, with the last game being “squid game”.
Season 2 starts right after the events of Season 1. Gi-hun is determined to uncover who runs the deadly games. He wants to end the games once and for all, and will do whatever it takes to do so. New characters are introduced, along with more about the organization behind the games. The squid games are organized to entertain the bored and wealthy. For this season, the story is bigger and more complex, showing that the stakes are now higher than before.
Gi-hun remains the main focus,. He is now a broken man. He lost everyone he loved in the 1st season,including his daughter who is now in America with her mother and stepdad. So now, Gi-Hun has nothing to lose. His main goal is to expose these evil games to the world,and put a stop to it. The new characters add excitement. There are contestants with smart strategies, different personal struggles, and conflicting motives. The relationships between characters feel deeper, and the antagonist adds fresh tension to the story.
Like Season 1, this season looks at issues like wealth, power, and inequality. It also explores new ideas, such as how people change when they gain power. We see multiple times that people would constantly choose greed over humanity. When learning that they could go home early but not win any money they voted to stay and have more people die at the chance of earning money.
Season 2 improves its pacing compared to Season 1. The first 2 episodes are slow, and away from the games. However, I enjoyed that. I liked seeing the world of squid game, and not just the games. The action and emotional moments are well-balanced, and each episode moves the story forward smoothly. There’s a major twist in the middle that might surprise some viewers, but it keeps things interesting.
The new games in Season 2 are exciting and dangerous, with more focus on moral choices and group dynamics. They aren’t just about survival—they force players to make tough decisions. The tension during these games is well-handled, making them as memorable as those in Season 1. We see old games, like “ Red Light, Green Light “ and new games like the merry go round game. Plus, in Season 2, the palyers haven’t finished the games, so there will be more games we have not seen yet, which the show has already teased.
Season 2 has gotten a lot of attention online, with fans discussing its deeper plot and new twists. If you are a fan of the show like I am, I would assume your Tiktok and Instagram feed has been filled with squid game memes, theories, and discussions about the show. The themes about inequality and power remain relevant, keeping the show important beyond just entertainment. It continues to influence social media, from memes to serious debates.
The ending wraps up some stories while leaving room for more. Without spoiling anything, it hints at an even bigger plan for Season 3. This may leave some viewers mad about the cliffhanger and having to wait but it sets up exciting possibilities for the future. Netflix just announced a Squid Game “ world” which will showcase plenty of new shows, so there is a lot more content we will get.
Overall, Squid Game Season 2 is a good follow-up to the first season. Expectations were high, and while it did mostly deliver, I just think the highs of Season 1( which is possibly one of the greatest seasons of tv ever) were too high for Season 2 to reach. I do want to say again the season was really good. It expands the world, offers more intense and complex games, and adds emotional depth. While it may not be as shocking as the original, it’s still thrilling and presents intriguing questions about society.Season 3 will be highly anticipated, and I think it will be better than the first 2 seasons. If you enjoyed Season 1, you’ll most likely enjoy this one too.
