Squid Game Season 2

LIGHTNING CAN STRIKE TWICE

Squid Game season 2 proves lightning can strike twice. While many sequels go "bigger" just for the sake of spectacle, this follow-up is not only more expansive, with a higher budget and a starrier cast, but also richer, darker, and more cohesive than the first.

Returning as Gi-hun, Lee Jung-jae portrays a changed man: hollowed-out, grim, and driven by a need to end the games once and for all. His journey leads him back into the heart of the nightmare, surrounded by 455 new players and a slew of unforgettable characters.

Highlights include Im Si-wan’s chaotic crypto bro, Park Sung-hoon’s layered performance as a transgender woman, and T.O.P. as a manic rapper. The show also sharpens its political allegory, allowing players to vote after each round, fracturing the group and echoing real-world social division.

Lee Byung-hun’s Front Man finally steps out from behind the mask, and cinematographer Kim Ji-yong elevates every frame with visual precision and momentum.

More than just a return, Squid Game 2 is a bold escalation: emotionally, thematically, and cinematically. Shocking, urgent, and relentlessly thrilling. Now begins the painful wait for season 3.

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Talented Actors.. Ample Budget.. All the Time in the World.. Yet a Below Par Unfinished Sequel..

When you create a banger of a first season the audience expects the next one to be equally good if not better.. Unfortunately Squid Game Season 2 completely fails to meet those expectations.. I spent seven hours watching it.. Only for it to end on a cliffhanger.. Now I have to wait several more months just to get a conclusion?? What a waste of time..

Honestly all the emotions, the quality of the games and the sheer thrill that made the first part unforgettable were completely missing in season 2.. Why couldn’t they just release everything in this one season?? This money grabbing trend is getting worse.. While I agree that some dramas need to be split into multiple parts to make sense.. Squid Game Season 2 doesnt fall into that category..

Psychopath Gong Yoo was an absolute sight to watch.. If I am not wrong this is his first time playing a psycho and he absolutely nailed it.. His character was fascinating.. I mean this guy when he wasnt recruiting people for a kill or die game in the most bizarre way.. He was casually roaming around, taunting and messing with the homeless.. How much of a psycho is he really?? He deserves a spin off like a prequel or something..

The first 2-3 episodes were pretty boring.. The build up was poor and failed to capture the momentum.. Honestly.. In my opinion Lee Jung Jae’s story should have ended with first Season.. If not he definitely shouldn’t have been in the anchor role again.. He literally fell into the same trap again... How stupid is he?? He also took away the opportunity to explore new characters or stories and there were plenty to explore..

I don’t know what to say about Park Sung Hoon.. He absolutely nailed his role.. And TOP?? His character was so pathetic.. I was expecting nothing less than a horrible death for him and he got what he deserved..
Im Si Wan.. You can always expect a top tier performance from him.. And he definitely delivered.. I really hope he and Jun Hui get a happy ending..

The introduction of Player Number 1 was a huge twist.. Totally unexpected.. I was thinking "Gi Hun and his plans are screwed "..

Why so many talented actors if you dont plan on utilising them??

Squid Game Season 2 really missed the chance to recreate the intensity and impact that made the first season so iconic.. It ended up being a below par season.. Felt more one dimensional.. They should have just made it a 12 ep season and finished the drama.. For me Im Siwan and Park Sung Hoon were the standout performers..

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Blah games

The fundamental problem is that season two feels utterly unnecessary. It lacks any genuine creative spark, instead rehashing familiar elements with diminishing returns.

Well.. we're here. So...

The core components that made Squid Game a global phenomenon—the brutal games, the exploration of class disparity, the desperate lengths people will go to for survival—are all present in season two, but they lack the same impact. The shock value of the games is gone; we’ve seen it all before. The social commentary feels diluted, less focused and more like window dressing. The desperation of the players feels less authentic, replaced by a sense of obligation to the plot. The few new additions introduced feel less like organic expansions of the narrative and more like tacked-on elements designed to justify the season’s existence. The introduction of a pink-clad soldier within the main cast and the exploration of the Front Man's backstory, while offering brief moments of intrigue, ultimately fail to provide sufficient narrative weight to justify an entire season. They’re simply not compelling enough to warrant this continuation.

The acting, a significant strength of the first season, takes a noticeable dip. While the returning actors do their best with the material they’re given, the new additions to the cast are largely forgettable. They embody thinly sketched archetypes, lacking the depth and complexity that made the characters of season one so compelling and emotionally resonant. The performances themselves are technically adequate, but the actors are hampered by a lack of substantive material. This is further exacerbated by the over-the-top acting from many of the guest performances, which shatters any remaining pretense of realism and often veers into unintentional parody. These exaggerated performances clash jarringly with the more grounded portrayals of the main cast, creating further tonal issues.

This brings us to perhaps the most egregious flaw of season two: its jarring and inconsistent tone. The pervasive tension and palpable sense of dread that defined season one, creating a truly unsettling and immersive experience, are replaced by a bizarre and often jarring mix of melodrama, forced humor, and over-the-top action sequences. It’s as if the creators fundamentally misunderstood what made the original so effective, mistaking its dark themes for mere spectacle. In prioritizing entertainment over substance, they’ve sacrificed the show’s emotional core. The result is a tonal inconsistency that severely undermines the narrative. This inconsistent tone makes it impossible to invest in the stakes of the games or connect with the characters on an emotional level. It becomes abundantly clear that the showrunners have lost sight of what made the original Squid Game so compelling.

Season two demonstrates the challenges of continuing a successful narrative. While it retains some elements of the original's visual style and explores the backstory of key characters, it struggles to recapture the thematic depth and emotional resonance of the first season. The narrative may feel repetitive, and the impact of social commentary may be less pronounced. Additionally, the introduction of new characters and storylines may not be as engaging as those in the original. The potential for a third season, hinted at throughout Season two, might leave some feeling that the narrative is being artificially extended

Pros:
• Nostalgia: Returns to familiar characters and offers some closure.
• High production values: Visually appealing with strong technical execution.

Cons:
• Repetitive narrative: Rehashes familiar elements without adding significant depth.
• Weak character development: New characters are forgettable, and performances lack nuance.
• Inconsistent tone: Shifts from dread to melodrama, undermining emotional impact.
• They made filler, feel like filler.

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a filler season to setup for season 3

would have worked better if none of the past characters were there. an entire new ensemble with new games would have been as exciting as the first season. this season felt like a filler/part one of two. they are probably leading up to the third season but this was boring for the most part. we spent so much time on the past characters, almost two whole episodes and good majority of other episodes on them we barely explored much of the new players. there were interesting new players but u could see the team trying to recreate some past characters. it was fun seeing t.o.p back on the screen.

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A Fun Ride with Missed Opportunities

Was it bad?? No. Was it that good?? Not exactly. Was it underwhelming?? Kind of.

I wont lie, i enjoyed this season of Squid Game but it still felt underwhelming considering the immense hype surrounding it. This was certainly the best sequel Netflix Korea has produced recently especially after the disappointing Sweet Home 2, Gyeongseong Creature 2 and others. However there are quite a few reasons why it left me feeling unsatisfied.

While it didnt reach the heights of Season 1, it was engaging enough to keep me watching till the end.


Here is what i liked and disliked about it:

What I Liked:
1. Front Man’s Direct Involvement in the Game:
I appreciated Lee Byung hun’s larger role in this season. After his brief cameo in S1, it was great to see him step into a main role. Having him directly participate in the games added much needed tension and intrigue.

2. Hyun Joo & Player 149 – The Heart of the Show:
Park Sung hoon and Kang Ae shim absolutely stole the spotlight. Their characters were well written with depth and emotional weight making them easy to root for. They were undeniably the standouts of the season.

3. Gong Yoo’s Extended Cameo in Episode 1:
I loved Gong Yoo’s performance in the first episode. His charismatic yet paychpathic portrayal left a lasting impression. Honestly his psychopathic energy made me wish he would star in a serial killer thriller. I also hoped his character would stick around longer, at least for a few episodes in S3.

4. New Games:
While most of the new games werent as thrilling, the carousel game in Episode 6 stood out. I appreciate the effort to introduce fresh challenges but i felt they lacked the intensity and depth of S1’s games. A bit more focus and creativity could have elevated them further.

5. Favorite Episodes - E1 & E6:
Although some found Episode 1 slow, i personally enjoyed it because of Gong Yoo. His presence carried the episode. Episode 6, featuring the brutal carousel game was another highlight for me.

6. Solid Acting Across the Board:
Even though several characters were underutilized, the entire cast gave strong performances.



What I Disliked:

1. Wasted Potential of Big Actors:
This was one of my biggest frustrations. Talents like Im Si wan, Kang Ha neul and others were severely underused. This seems to be a recurring issue with Netflix’s survival thrillers, bringing in big names for secondary roles without giving them enough material to shine.

While it wasnt as bad as Sweet Home 2, it still felt disappointing. Some annoying side characters received more screen time, while stronger actors were left with little to do. Im holding out hope that S3 will give these characters the attention they deserve.

2. Slow Start:
Despite enjoying Episode 1, i cant ignore how much the story dragged into Episode 2. I felt the content of both episodes could have been condensed into one allowing the games to start sooner in Episode 3.

3. Flat New Characters (Except Hyun Joo & 149):
Most of the new cast members felt one dimensional. It was hard to connect with them, they were just there. Hyun Joo and Player 149 were the only exceptions.

4. Annoying Characters Getting More Screen Time:
Some characters who should have been explored further were sidelined, while others, like Thanos were unnecessarily prominent. Lee Jin wook’s character arc felt incomplete and since he died in S2, there is no room for his development in S3. This imbalance was frustrating.

5. Gi hun & Front Man Felt Bland:
Gi hun occasionally came across as cringey, while the Front Man’s storyline lacked the twists we saw in S1. The big reveal about the old man in the first season packed a punch but there was nothing surprising about the Front Man here.

6. Lack of Game Exploration:
While the carousel game stood out, the others felt rushed and underdeveloped. S1’s games were meticulously crafted and filled with tension but S2 lacked that same level of care, possibly because more main characters survived diminishing the stakes.

7. Missing Intensity & Seriousness:
The emotional weight and tension of S1 were noticeably absent. The sense of dread when characters faced death just wasnt there.


Overall Thoughts:

I did enjoy S2, it was engaging for the most part and i watched it from start to finish with interest. However compared to the S1, it felt underwhelming. Still it far exceeded Sweet Home 2 and other recent disappointments.

Im hoping S3 will bring back the intensity and depth that made the first season what it is today.

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Lightning Never Strikes The Same Place Twice

It's hard to put into words all there is to say about season two of Squid Game. If I had to put it as briefly as possible, it's that season two of Squid Game is just fine. It's not too outrageously bad, but it clearly lacks the magnetism that made season one such a global phenomenon. That is to say - most of what makes season two good is already what made season one good; it doesn't add almost anything. Essentially, you can tell that there was never a plan for a second season of the show to be made, and that it was tacked on afterwards following it's smash success.

There is still a lot to be liked about the second season, although a large part of it (the games themselves, the violence etc..) was already done in season one. If I had to pick unique additions in this season that I think made it more interesting without delving into spoilers it would be 1) the inclusion of a pink solider in the main cast and 2) actually getting to see the the front man as a character. It is always intriguing to get more of a look into the other side of the games and to see who we typically see as minor antagonists as actual characters.

The new set of characters are also quite interesting, although I find that is more for the actors and less the characters themselves. We get to see new people, with new purposes, but a lot of them do not have the draw that the characters in season one did. Maybe it is because there are far more characters that are focused on, but they aren't as interesting for the most part. Likewise, a lot of the extras were way too over the top which broke reality a lot (but we will get to that more later). The acting from the main characters is fantastic, which you would expect of such a star cast. Lee Byung Hun, Park Sung Hoon, Im Si Wan, and Gong Yoo were particular stand outs I felt did an amazing job, especially in playing their characters with nuance and dimension.

That being said, season two has a lot of faults, which I think is largely because it was such a commercial production. Yes, this comes with some benefits like a large budget to hire renowned actors, and fun the technical side of things, but it has no soul. It feels like it was made to make money and to appeal to a large amount of people. There is a *major* tonal shift in this season, to the point that I actually double checked that there was not comedy tag written, which is kinda insane considering this show is about a death game. But a lot of it is played for dramatic and comedic effect. The extras act over the top, TOPs character is 2D and flat (especially in comparison to the 'bad guy player' last season), and the music choices are terrible.

It completely changes the emotion of the show. Things don't feel life or death, the stakes don't feel high. It's hard to care about the characters when the show is portraying things as outright goofy. You could really feel the tension and fear of all the characters in season one, you don't get that here.

Speaking of, I had a major issue with the sound design. Like a large part of the technical elements it is disingenuous . There is the use of what really feels like copyright free music, including canned dramatic stings and boom sound effects you could find on garage band, and a misuse of the music. It feels out of place, and there were many instances where music was used when it shouldn't have been, which really took away form the scenes. Same with some of the sound effects that sounded really out of place (like the applause which was clearly overlaid). It really shows the different between season one and two. In season one the sound design was genius, it made the experience so much more impactful. Here it is generic, like any other Netflix show.

The same can be said of the visuals, which were such a highlight of the first season. The cinematography really lacks this season, and there was only one original scene in this show I felt mimicked the iconic imagery of the first. But again, it's just bland and uninspired. There is also a bit of that in the writing, you don't get the psychological aspect, like slow wear down of morals like you do in season one. (And I won't even go into how this one hardly speaks to what the first one did allegorically or symbolically).

At the end of the day, we never needed a second season, and you can tell the only people who wanted one were executives and not anyone with a creative drive, especially not the writer/director. The things that made season two good are things we already enjoyed in season one, and there is a lot in season two that is downgraded from season one. It feels like a flanderization of itself, where the people who made the show didn't understand what made the first season so good. They thought the audience was there for the action and violence and nothing else, which is of course not true at all.

Overall the season is, as I said, just fine. It's nice to watch just once to get a little more of a look at the other side of the games, but it's not spectacular. It lacks the draw of season one, and practically everything else that made season one good. You are far better off re-watching season one than watching season two, as it's a much better experience. I can't necessarily say I'm disappointed, but you can really tell the commercialization got to the show.

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An easy binge watch

I had liked S1 until they introduced the worst foreign actors and voiceovers who played the wealthy sponsors of the game. That ruined the entire season for me by making the show laughable and stupid. S2 eliminated that problem so in a way I did enjoy this more than S1, but it did lack in a lot of ways compared to S1.

LIKES:
1) The peek into the staff of squid game. I liked the introduction of Park Gyu Young's character. We get to see a glimpse of the people behind the mask
2) Gong Yoo's character expansion. Those were some fun scenes
3) The Front Man's involvement - that kept the plot interesting
4) The carousel game - I liked the intensity in that game which brought out people's true traits
5) The feisty mother character player 149 - she adds some heart amongst the greed
6) TOP's weird druggie character - while I don't like the bully, I did find his tripped out moments funny

DISLIKES:
1) The intensity didn't feel as strong as S1 esp with the games except for the carousel game
2) The weird shift in the middle eps where the tone felt almost comical instead of seriously intense. It was odd and disruptive to the momentum
3) Wi Ha Jun's whole arc felt very lackluster. His storyline didn't really add to the story at all.
4) The supporting characters development felt underwhelming and underdeveloped.
5) The casting of more recognizable faces. I actually liked how S1 had only a few main stars and the rest were not that famous. In my mind, it made the characters a little more believable. S2, it took me longer to believe the acting from the recognizable faces

Overall though, this was an easy binge watch that can be done in a day. Just note, that this is only Part 1 and not a complete story. Season 3 will be Part 2 and will hopefully give us all the answers we need.

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Creators clearly forgot what made Season 1 popular

The biggest mistake the creators made was forgetting to write interesting characters.

Gi-hun, despite being the "good-hearted" protagonist, has always been a bit of a bumbling idiot. In season 2, he doesn't have a smart friend to help him. We simply watch the bumbling idiot be played by 001 AGAIN. He never learns from his mistakes and is just frustrating to follow. Sang-woo from season 1 was a morally grey character but rational and level-headed, and was undoubtedly a competent leader for most of the show. His character was the perfect contrast to Gi-hun. This season lacked someone like that -- Lee Byung-hun's character is predictable and wasn't as interesting as he was.

The "villains" like the thug and annoying lady from S1 were despicable yet entertaining and somehow likeable. That was not easy to pull off. But Big Bang's TOP and other antagonistic characters here were just annoying himbos that I wanted off my screen. Meanwhile, almost all other characters are remarkably un-memorable. It's funny how characters played by actors that are usually main leads were underwhelming and didn't need to be in this show. I probably would have preferred seeing fresh faces.

It was deeply disappointing how S2 slowed down the pace but had much less depth and emotion. S1 touched on issues like exploitation of foreign workers, North Korean defectors, gambling addiction, etc. S2 settled with young people who invested in the wrong cryptocurrencies (too bad for them), influencers (ughh), or pregnant young moms (generic female character found in too many shows). Some were almost like re-hashes of S1's characters. Also, there were not enough games and too many voting sessions. Did no one in the production feel that it was getting repetitive?? Overall, I give season 2 a mediocre 6/10. (Season 1 was an 8.5/10 for me.)

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waited years for…that?

i thought people who said season 2 would be a flop were wrong but hell na, they were right. i was so excited, i wouldn’t have minded if they left things with a cliffhanger but atleast make the cliffhanger better???

what the HELL was that ending. it felt like it ended mid episode.

its clear season 2 was there just for season 3. but seriously. they hyped this up so much and its literally just season 1 but bad. sigh. SIGH.

the only reason im rating it 6 which is still pretty high, is because atleast the games were entertaining to watch still, and the characters were much more likable than in season 1. im just pissed they ended up killing almost every character i liked. but oh well, i guess its not much of a surprise lol..

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Disappointing, had a lot of questions.

I think this series was just built on what had made season 1 successful, but the show lost it's spark. Everything gets repetitive and I was hoping to see some change. Yes, there were new characters and character development but I could clearly see exactly which season 1 character they were shadowing, which made them lose their individuality.

I was most disappointed by how the show ended. There was no proper closing and felt like it was rushed. Nothing was shown about what happened to the search team, what happened to 456, what happened to the other players, or why there was organ harvesting again. I had so many questions. The last episode was just gun violence and nothing special. The show had so much potential but with each episode, the standard kept dropping. I feel like if they took more time and made a few more episodes, the ending would have been much better. Also the whole X and O thing felt weird and out of place for some reason.

Although there were many areas of improvement in terms of storyline, the casting was absolutely perfect. Every single actor portrayed their character and story so well. Although there wasn't must screen time, I really enjoyed watching Jo Yuri's performance. As someone who watches her perform on stage, this was very different and exciting.

The soundtrack was also very well done. Every single track fit the scene perfectly. The new sets and props were very impressive to see, especially the upscaled stair room and the mingle game room. I also really enjoyed the cinematography.

Overall, the entire show was just to attempt to reacted the hype that season 1 had, but I think this entire show and concept is dead and Netflix can never make the series as popular as season 1 was back when it came out.

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maybe it's time to wrap it up?!

let me start off with a short rant about this season's writing. this will be an unpopular opinion but most of the new characters left me cold (since they were the replicas of season 1 characters), and so did their deaths. also, they decided to keep junho around but didn't know what to do with him, so every scene we got of him was him searching for the games' location (some of these scenes were insane fillers). the glimmering light of season 2's writing was the introduction of noeul, and complexity of guards. the introduction of new characters was boring to watch. i would have rather learned about their stories during the game. one thing i hoped for was learning more about HIH's background since he's also a previous winner (otherwise, it's hard to explain why he was organizing games in the first place). he even got a replacement, but we have no clue who that is. the cliff hanger of this season was so underwhelming. netflix harassed the hell out of SQ's screenwriter for THIS. overall, acting was great and song choices were fitting. however, i felt like this could've been a final season.

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