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Network congestion, audience praises
According to The Korea Times, the release of Squid Game 2 has forced four other South Korean dramas scheduled for release later this year – The Firefighters, About Family, One Win, and Harbin – to postpone their premieres to avoid conflict. The battle for ratings has become more intense 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 sent chills down viewers' spines with even more brutal and unexpected challenges. The psychological pressure on the characters was pushed to a climax, keeping viewers glued to the screen. Most viewers commented that season 2 was violent, crazy, and full of new challenges. The unexpected success of "Squid Game 2" has led many to question: Will there be a season 3?
Set three years after the deadly game ended, Seong Gi Hun (Lee Jung Jae) – the winner of the first season – returns to participate in this brutal game.
"Squid Game 2" is one of the most anticipated television series of the year. It continues the story from the first season, which took the world by storm in 2021. Not only did the first season achieve billions of views and become the focus of media attention, but it also won six Emmy Awards (an award for television in the US) and became a global cultural phenomenon, elevating Korean television to a new level.
Prior to its release, "Squid Game 2" created a global sensation, attracting media attention and audiences alike. Many changes in the film were considered shocking, making the fates of the characters even more unpredictable.
In contrast to his desire for a better life in Season 1, Seong Gi Hun's return this time is driven by a desire for revenge and to put an end to this cruel game forever.
The bloody Squid Game competition took almost everything from the protagonist, Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) — except his life. His mother (Kim Young-ok) died the first time he participated in the competition. For Gi-hun to win the squid game in Season 1, his friend Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo) had to die. However, it wasn't until the final scene of Squid Game Season 2 that viewers saw Gi-hun at his lowest point. He ended episode 7 weeping on the ground, staring 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). Worse still, Gi-hun was unaware that Front Man was actually Young-il, the player Gi-hun thought was one of his closest allies in Squid Game.
“The ending of Squid Game Season 2 will leave people curious about what Gi-hun will do in the game after this traumatic event happened 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 it, saying, "Squid Game 2 succeeds in delving deeper into human psychology while simultaneously raising the level of tension and danger."
The main difference in Squid Game 2 is the smaller number of episodes compared to the first season. While it only has 7 episodes, it continues to explore traditional games familiar to children, a common theme with the first season. The appeal of the second season still lies in the talent of the writers and directors, who create a captivating story with suspenseful plot twists that pique the audience's curiosity. The gory and violent scenes also keep viewers on the edge of their seats, filled with both suspense and fear.
One of the most interesting and anticipated aspects of the second season of Squid Game is the fresh cast of supporting characters. They are considered crucial elements, strongly influencing the thoughts of the main character, Gi Hun. Similar to the first season, these supporting characters come from diverse backgrounds and circumstances, each with their own interesting and thought-provoking stories. They possess unique destinies, creating a diverse picture of society. Through them, the series also reflects social issues such as inequality, greed, and distrust.
Squid Game season 3 was filmed concurrently with season 2 and is now complete, with a projected release in 2025. Director, screenwriter, and executive producer Hwang Dong Hyuk stated, "The fierce clash between the two worlds (of Gi Hun and Front Man) will continue in the final season."
Squid Game 2 marked a new milestone for Korean television with a record-breaking production budget of 100 billion won (approximately 1.8 trillion VND). According to the director, a third season of this Korean television masterpiece will be produced soon.
The film's dialogue is controversial.
After its release, the film's content sparked debate and discussion on social media. In particular, a scene involving a player wearing jersey number 388 (played by Kang Ha Neul) mentioning his father's participation in the Vietnam War has drawn strong negative reactions from netizens. Many viewers expressed outrage and declared they would boycott the film.
Despite the film featuring a cast of famous lead and supporting actors, the plot failed to fully exploit the acting strengths of these actors.
"After reviewing and evaluating, we will issue an official conclusion. If the film violates the Film Law, we will handle it in accordance with the law," said Mr. Do Quoc Viet, Deputy Director of the Department of Cinema.
This character's line is drawing strong criticism from the online community. Many viewers have expressed outrage and declared a boycott of the film, arguing that the screenwriter did not thoroughly research Vietnamese history.
Controversial dialogue in the film.
Furthermore, the film still faces some mixed reviews due to its somewhat slow pace and the plot focusing too much on Gi Hun's motivations. Along with that, the fewer games compared to the first part is disappointing. Daum commented that the team-based games – where survival depends on teamwork – while providing some suspenseful moments, overall lacked excitement.
Squid Game 2 also received mixed reviews from international critics. Time magazine criticized the film for its slow pace, even calling two of the seven films "boring."
Another drawback of "Squid Game 2" is TOP's performance as Thanos – a rapper involved in a money scam. Initially, the former Big Bang member's role was revealed to have limited screen time; however, due to his frequent appearances and awkward acting, his stiff rap scenes made viewers uncomfortable.
