It was in 2021, as the world grappled with the pandemic, that Netflix released its biggest show to date, Squid Game. A primarily Korean-language show featuring Lee Jung-jae and Park Hae-soo, the show became one of the most watched series on Netflix – a record still unbeaten. So, it’s no surprise that Squid Game 2 had to be better and bigger!

The much-awaited season 2 of the show will premiere on December 26, 2024. Unlike the previous seasons, the new season introduces several interesting new characters that add another layer of intrigue to the series.

In short, Squid Game set up a world for audiences where 456 financially desperate individuals were lured into a deadly survival game. This decision has fatal consequences, with Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) winning the show and feeling determined to expose this dystopian competition.

While Park Hae-soo who played Cho Sang-woo and Oh Il-nam (Oh Yeong-su) who played the game’s mastermind are not returning in this season, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung- Hun Hwang is returning as Jun. -Ho and front man. Gong Yoo returns as the recruiter, a mysterious man in a suit who initially invited Gi-hun to play the game. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who won an Emmy for his work on Season 1, directed all episodes of Season 2.

Meet the new players of Squid Game 2:

Myung-gi (Yim Si-wan, Player 333): A YouTube star turned fugitive, Myung-gi is on the run after getting involved in a crypto scam. His sharp intelligence and manipulative tendencies make him both resourceful and dangerous in games.

Hyun-joo (Park Sung-hoon, Player 120): A transgender and a former Special Forces soldier, Hyun-joo is a calculating strategist with a mysterious past. His fighting skills and determination to prove his worth make him an exceptional player.

Thanos (Choi Seung-hyun): Former Bigbang member T.O.P is a retired rapper who enters the game after a bad investment decision suggested by YouTuber Myung-gi.

Joon-hee (Jo Yoo-ri, Player 222): Myung-gi’s ex-girlfriend, Joon-hee is described as independent and determined. Her determination to navigate the games while reconciling her troubled past with Myung-gi adds emotional depth to her character.

Yeong-sik (Yang Dong-geun, Player 007): An immature gambler with a carefree attitude, Yeong-sik’s impulsive nature is the opposite of his mother.

Geum-ja (Kang Ae-sim, Player 149): Yeong-sik’s mother, who enters the game to protect her son.

Dae-ho (Kang Ha-neul, player 388): A former marine with a masculine personality, Dae-ho is resilient but struggles with inner weaknesses that emerge during high-pressure challenges.

Jang-bae (Lee Seo-hwan, Player 390): An immature acquaintance of returning character Seong Gi-hun, Jang-bae’s reckless decisions and lack of foresight often get him into trouble, causing trouble for him and his colleagues. The risk increases.

No-eul (Park Gyu-young): A North Korean defector and former soldier who had to leave his child behind in the North. After earning money, she comes to the show to find her daughter.

Seon-nyeo (Chae Kook-hee, Player 044): A once-powerful Korean sorceress who is past her prime. She enters the show as the person who curses the players or announces prophecies.

Min-su (Lee David, Player 125): A young man who is timid and enters the show knowing what he could possibly do in a life and death situation.

Se-mi (Won Ji-an, Player 380): A courageous and determined player who forms a strong bond with Min-su in order to survive in the game.

Season 1 of Squid Game ended with Gi-hun winning the game, but refusing to use the prize money, instead vowing to expose and shut down the organization. Season 2 will pick up from where it ended. Gi-hun will re-enter the competition to expose the organizers.

Meanwhile, Joon-ho, who was presumed dead after being shot by his brother (the front man), returns with a new determination to uncover the organization’s secrets and bring justice.

Thematically, Season 2 will delve deeper into criticism of capitalism, power dynamics, and morality.