Released in 2021, Squid Game (Vietnamese Title: Trò chơi con mực) took the world by storm, introducing the South Korean television series into a new realm of popularity. The show won six Emmy Awards, becoming a global cultural phenomenon and setting records as the most-watched Korean series on Netflix.
After three years, the second season of the series returns, bringing back the excitement for its fans. The story continues to explore the deadly games, now enriched with many new captivating details that highlight the stakes from the first season.
Revisiting the Familiar Formula
The content of Squid Game 2 picks up where the first season left off. Following the victory in the deadly games, the main character Seong Gi Hun (played by Lee Jung Jae) is not as happy as one would expect. Instead of enjoying a happy life with newfound wealth, he is haunted by the past, particularly the deaths of the hundreds of participants who lost their lives in the games.
Gi Hun decides to use his prize money to pursue a plan to confront the elusive Front Man (Lee Byung Hun), the orchestrator of the deadly games.
At the same time, police officer Jun Ho (Wi Ha Joon) is also on Gi Hun’s trail, seeking to uncover information regarding his missing brother.
Unlike the first season, Squid Game 2 does not introduce the audience directly into the games. The first two episodes create an atmosphere of anticipation as the characters seek ways to connect the events together.
The show only formally introduces the games in the third episode, where new contestants are introduced. This time, the director maintains the formula that made the first season successful.
The games continue to incorporate traditional childhood games, closely tied to themes of survival. The first game is still “Red Light, Green Light,†requiring players to move towards the finish line while a robot turns its back. This theme was highlighted right from the teaser and trailer.
The number of games in the second season is fewer but carries higher stakes. The rules of the games also emphasize teamwork, with a greater focus on collaboration rather than individual play.
Director and writer Hwang Dong Hyuk has put considerable effort into finding new games to incorporate into the show. However, due to the familiarity of the formula from the first season, the film hasn’t created many unexpected moments.
The deaths of characters are no longer as shocking after the first season, as several deaths occur without much emotional impact.
Nevertheless, the success of the production company remains consistent in weaving together details that create a suspenseful atmosphere at the end of each episode, enticing viewers to follow the next one. Many shocking and violent details keep the audience both thrilled and horrified.
A few images from the show.
Many Stars Shine Brightly
The second season has a shorter runtime than the first, comprising only seven episodes. The challenge for the director is to effectively portray the characters to allow all stars to shine.
Some returning characters are more prominent than others. For instance, Wi Ha Joon appears more frequently as police officer Jun Ho, but his role has not been fully developed, making it less impactful. Lee Jin Wook has yet to leave a significant mark in his role as a father with a sick daughter, struggling to make ends meet due to the prize money.
Two female leads, Park Gyu Young and Kim Si Eun, also do not leave a strong impression compared to Jung Ho Yeon’s character in the first season.
Lee Byung Hun has more screen time, but the emotional depth and actions of his character are not too challenging to predict. The role has less complexity compared to his previous performances.
Similarly, Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P) and Park Sung Hoon do not create a lasting impression in their roles. The BigBang rapper seems to serve as comic relief in the film, making viewers less invested in the serious moments with his humorous expressions and actions.
The star from The Glory also makes a memorable appearance in a supporting role. His portrayal is understated, not overly dramatic, which adds depth to his character while portraying the internal struggles of the character during intense moments.
On the other hand, Lee Jung Jae still maintains his strong presence as Gi Hun. The actor does not shy away from exploring the character’s emotional depth, which helps the audience resonate more with the main character.
The first season of Squid Game had a more surprising conclusion, while many of the main events have already been resolved. In contrast, Squid Game 2 has a few twists that create suspense but also feel somewhat predictable.
In the final episode, the characters find themselves in even more precarious situations. The repeated near-death experiences of the main character Gi Hun somewhat detract from the narrative, making it less engaging and lacking in excitement.
Overall, Squid Game 2 retains its entertaining qualities, but it lacks the captivating elements that characterized the first season. The episodes primarily serve as a foundation for further development in season three – set to be released next year.
