A Thrill or a Letdown?
So, the 2021 blockbuster Squid Game finally released its second season at the end of December 2024. I was waiting for this for the last 3 years. As soon as they dropped it, i finished watching all seven episodes in one go and .... I had mixed feelings about Season 2.So, regarding the question whether it is better than season 1, the answer is NO, it is not. I would say Squid Game S2 surely is entertaining to watch but it’s not as good as S1. Compared to Season 1, this second season starts off really, really slow. The first two episodes are spent on conversations and running around rather than going into intense action right away like we did in S1. If S1 was about extreme thrills and action where characters focused on exploring and understanding their new environment to survive the game, S2 is more about the main character, Seong Gi Hun, trying to put an end to the game with all his might. To do that, he has no choice but to join the game again.
So, if someone is looking for the same level of thrills as in Season 1, they’re likely to get disappointed. In S1 we had no idea who the mole in the game was, which made the final reveal in the last moments so impactful. But in S2, we know from the start who the mastermind behind the scene is. it’s also quite frustrating that the villain is right in front of the protagonist, yet he doesn’t seem to have the slightest clue about it. I kept thinking, How can you be so dumb? Like you've been already tricked once man. you're supposed to act more vigilant but tsk tsk..
Really....the writing felt quite weak especially in designing the characters. While we could feel connected to the characters in S1 so easily, this was not the case in S2. Most of the characters introduced this season were one dimensional except for Hyun Ju, Player No. 120 (played by Park Sung Hoon) and Player No. 149 (portrayed by Kang Ae Shim). These two characters were very well written and excellently acted. that's right! we could genuinely feel their emotions or pain through whatever they're going through.
tbh, I was eagerly waiting for Park Sung Hoon's performance this time and as usual he didn't disappoint. Moving away from his usual villain roles, it was refreshing to see him take on a different character like this one; a badass yet capable and kind person with a captivating story line of his own. Honestly, among the many characters in Squid Game S2, Hyunju truly stand out for a reason.
Another funny thing is, I might have been waiting for this season but I never checked who were exactly going to be featured in the cast. So, it was a surprise to me once I started watching. I just couldn’t believe that almost all of my favorite actors like Lee Byung Hun and Kang Ha Neul were in the show. It was great to see Lee Byung Hun transition from a small cameo role in S1 to playing the main role in S2. But for Kang Ha Neul, I wanted more from his character but unfortunately, it was kind of DISAPPOINTING! Sadly, the production team didn’t utilize these talented actors to their fullest potential. I’ve seen some people complaining that Kang Ha Neul can't act but I disagree. For me, it was the production team that failed to bring the best out of him. I've seen his performances in other masterpiece like Forgotten, so yeah..... i’m definitely not going to say he can’t act.
Oh, let's not forget the phenomenal performance came from Gong Yoo. His extended cameo scene in Episode 1 was truly a treat for Squid Game fans.
Lastly, not exactly the same but while watching, viewers might sometimes feel like Season 2 is just a repetition of Season 1 because that's how I felt, especially during the scenes where the characters were playing the game. Despite these flaws, the show is still enjoyable. I finished the show in one go, which means, yes, it’s actually good. However, when compared to the first season, it might feel a little dull. What truly kept me engaged throughout the series were characters like Hyunju and the Front Man directly entering the game. While the suspense might have gone, the tension is still there.
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