Squid Game was a legit pop culture phenomenon when it came out in the fall of 2021. No one expected a Korean show like this to have such an impact in North America, but the show became a bona-fide sensation, with the show quickly earning a season two renewal. While the release date hasn’t been revealed yet, at Netflix’s Tudum event, we got a look at the new cast, who join our two returning players, Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun and Lee Byung-hun as Hwang In-ho as the Front Man (as well as the recruiter played by Gong You).
According to Netflix’s Tudum site, the four new players are Korean stars “Yim Si-wan (Unlocked), Kang Ha-neul (The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure), Park Sung-hoon (The Glory) and Yang Dong-geun (Yaksha: Ruthless Operations).” No news yet on who they’re playing, but expect more info on the new season soon.
Here’s Netflix’s description of the next season: Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), Season 1’s main character, was buried in debt when he received an invitation to the games. With his daughter serving as motivation, Gi-hun chose to participate, and it was at the games that he encountered old friend and fellow contestant, Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae–soo). Without revealing too much, know that Gi-hun does make it out of the games alive; however, he ends the first season determined to make the people responsible for the cruel competition pay for their “atrocities” against people. Thus, setting up his return in the next chapter.
Just how big was Squid Game in North America? At TIFF last year, Lee Jung-jae showed up to present his new movie, Hunt. He showed up at one of the matinee screenings very casually, expecting to surprise fans, but he was the one in for a surprise when he was mobbed by star struck mega fans. He took it all in stride, but there’s no doubt he’d become an international star, to the extent that he’s now in the Star Wars series The Acolyte. Are you excited for Squid Game: Season 2?