Can Gong Yoo slap us to confirm this isn’t a dream? After getting a first look at new and returning players back in February, we’ve finally got a release date for Squid Game season two (and confirmation of season three). Jump to the latest teaser from Netflix and director Hwang Dong-hyuk here.
Who’s playing?
February 1, 2024: In 2021, Squid Game became one of Netflix’s most popular shows ever, with over 2 billion minutes watched. Now, the streamer is promising us more scary dolls sooner rather than later, with a season-two release date of sometime in 2024. Luckily for us, we don’t have to wait for more foreboding clues to find out what the next season will be like. First-look images dropped on February 1, and they’re giving neon-lit film noir. Our lead Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) confronts a masked soldier and has a date with the Recruiter (Gong Yoo), and a new character (Park Gyu-young) receives her invitation to the game.
Alongside SAG Award and Critics Choice award winner Lee Jung-jae, season one stars Lee Byung-hun as the Front Man, Wi Ha-joon as detective Hwang Jun-ho, and fan-favorite Gong Yoo as the Recruiter return. Newcomers to the game in unnamed roles include Choi Seung-hyun of BigBang, Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon (the actor, not the K-pop idol), Jo Yu-ri, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-shim, and Lee David. Building off the first installment, show creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk explained that the second season will focus on solidarity among the players, hopefully against giant singing dolls.
When are we getting season two (and three)?
July 31, 2024: Squid Game has gotten another green light. In a new date announcement clip, Front Man asks us, “Do you want to play again?” Netflix is hoping the answer is yes, because the clip confirms that season two arrives on December 26 — and we’re getting a third and final season in 2025.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk expanded on the news in a letter shared with Tudum. “Seong Gi-hun who vowed revenge at the end of Season 1 returns and joins the game again. Will he succeed in getting his revenge? Front Man doesn’t seem to be an easy opponent this time either,” he hinted. “The fiece clash between their two worlds will continue into the series finale with Season 3, which will be brought to you next year.” And by the end of it, Gi-hun will have finally spent some time with his daughter, right? Right??
What do the games look like?
September 19, 2024: Player 456 is ready for the game to be over. In the special teaser, Gi-hun finds himself wearing a green athletic suit once again determined to make it end. Hopefully, his fate isn’t decided on how well he can lick a cookie this time.
This post has been updated.