Network congestion, audience praise
According to The Korea Times, the appearance of Squid Game 2 has caused four Korean films scheduled to be released later this year: The Firefighters, About Family, One Win and Harbin to postpone their release dates to avoid conflicts. The battle for ratings has become more fierce than ever, and "Squid Game 2" has proven its strength by becoming the new "king" of the small screen.
If season 1 of "Squid Game" made a strong impression, season 2 gave the audience even more "goosebumps" with more brutal and unexpected challenges. The psychological pressure of the characters was pushed to a climax, making viewers unable to take their eyes off the screen. Most viewers commented that season 2 was violent, crazy with many new challenges. The unimaginable success of "Squid Game 2" made many people wonder: Will there be a season 3?
Set 3 years after the deadly game ended, Seong Gi Hun (Lee Jung Jae) - the winner of the first season - returns to participate in this fierce game.
"Squid Game 2" is one of the most anticipated TV series this year. The film is produced following the story of part 1, which caused a global fever in 2021. Not only did it reach billions of views and become the center of media attention, part 1 of the Korean survival film also won 6 Emmy Awards (award for the American television industry) and became a global cultural phenomenon, bringing Korean television to a new level.
Before its release, "Squid Game 2" created a global fever, attracting media and audiences. Many changes in the film were considered shocking, making the fate of the characters more unpredictable.
Contrary to his desire to change his life in season 1, Seong Gi Hun's return this time has the goal of revenge and ending this cruel game forever.
The bloody Squid Game competition has taken almost everything from the main character, Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), except his life. His mother (Kim Young-ok) died the first time he entered the competition. In order for Gi-hun to win the squid game in Part 1, his friend Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo) had to die. However, it wasn't until the final scene of Squid Game Part 2 that viewers saw Gi-hun at his lowest point. He ended Episode 7 crying on the ground, looking into the lifeless eyes of his deceased best friend, Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan), who had just been murdered by Front Man (Lee Byung-hun). To make matters worse, Gi-hun had no idea that Front Man was actually Young-il, the player Gi-hun thought was one of his closest allies in the Squid Game.
“The ending of Squid Game Season 2 will make people more curious about what Gi-hun will do in the game after this traumatic event happens to him,” Lee Jung-jae told Tudum. “After what happened to his friend, will he be able to continue his goal of saving others in the game?”
The Daily List's film critic - praised: "Squid Game 2 succeeds in delving deeper into human psychology, while raising the level of tension and danger."
The difference of Squid Game 2 is that the number of episodes is less than part 1. The film only has 7 episodes but continues to exploit folk games close to children, this is the common point with part 1. The appeal of part 2 still lies in the talent of the scriptwriter and director when creating an attractive story with breathtaking details, creating curiosity for the audience. The bloody and violent segments also make viewers both excited and scared.
The interesting point and the audience's expectation of part 2 of Squid Game is the new supporting characters. They are considered important factors, strongly influencing the thinking of the main character Gi Hun. Just like part 1, the supporting characters come from many different classes or circumstances, containing interesting and thoughtful stories. They have their own fates, creating a diverse picture of society. Through them, the film also reflects social issues such as inequality, greed, and distrust.
Squid Game season 3 was filmed simultaneously with season 2 and completed, scheduled to premiere in 2025. Director, screenwriter, and executive producer Hwang Dong Hyuk said, "The fierce clash between the two worlds (of Gi Hun and Front Man) will continue in the final season."
Squid Game 2 marks a new milestone for Korean dramas with a record production budget of up to 100 billion won (nearly 1,800 billion VND). According to the director of the drama, part 3 of the Korean TV blockbuster will be made soon.
Controversial movie lines
After its release, the film's content caused controversy and discussion on social networks. Among them, the detail related to the dialogue of the player wearing the shirt number 388 (played by Kang Ha Neul) saying that his father had participated in the Vietnam War is facing strong reactions from the online community. Many viewers expressed their indignation and declared to boycott the film.
Although the film has a famous main and supporting cast, the film's content still does not fully exploit the acting strengths of these actors.
“After reviewing and evaluating, we will make an official conclusion. In case the film violates the Cinema Law, we will handle it in accordance with the law,” said Mr. Do Quoc Viet, Deputy Director of the Cinema Department.
This character’s line is facing strong reactions from the online community. Many viewers expressed their indignation and announced a boycott of the film because they believe the screenwriter did not thoroughly research Vietnamese history.
Controversial lines in the movie
In addition, the film still has some mixed opinions because the pace is somewhat slow, the plot focuses too much on Gi Hun's motives. Along with that, the number of games is less than the first part, which is disappointing. Daum's review said that the group games - where survival depends on teamwork - although bring some thrilling moments, but overall the pace is not exciting.
Squid Game 2 also received mixed reviews from international critics. Time magazine criticized the film's slow pace, even calling 2 of the 7 episodes "boring".
Another minus point of “Squid Game 2” is TOP’s performance as Thanos – a rapper involved in a money scam. Initially, the role of the former Big Bang member was revealed to have little “room” to act, however, due to his frequent appearances and awkward acting, his awkward rap scenes made viewers feel uncomfortable.
