Previews at 5pm on December 26th The Squid Game: Season 2 continues the story of Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), who returns seeking revenge and faces the mysterious Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun) in another round of deadly games.
The first season of Squid gamereleased in 2021, it has become a global phenomenon, earning Lee Jung-jae the Best Actor award and director Hwang Dong-hyuk the Best Director award at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2022. Given the huge success of the first season , expectations for the sequel were sky high.
However, following its release, public opinion regarding the inclusion of convicted drug abuser Choi Seung-hyun (TOP) was largely negative, and critics also expressed differing opinions about the new season.
Positive reviews highlight action and depth
Rama, an MPA-certified entertainment journalist, praised the series, saying, “The Squid Game: Season 2 it’s even crazier than the original. Some moments, like the “Deer Hunter” style scenes, are deeply disturbing. The season is packed with action driven by themes of retribution.”
Variety also gave a favorable review, noting: “The structure, costumes, setting, and even the haunting cover of Fly Me to the Moon remain the same in season two. However, it mostly avoids repetition by exploring new angles of social issues such as capitalist exploitation, the erosion of morality, and class. inequalities. The show’s signature brutal violence is still present, and the terror among the players, including Gi-hun, remains palpable.“
The publication also praised the introduction of new characters, including a mother-son duo (Yang Dong-geun and Kang Ae-shim), a YouTube star (Im Si-wan), and a psychotic rapper (Choi Seung-hyun ), which added new dimensions to the series. They noted: “One of the most interesting aspects of Season 2 is that it goes beyond the players.“
Criticism of pace and familiarity
On the other hand, Time magazine criticized the season for its pacing, stating, “It takes too long – two tiring episodes out of seven this season – to get there.“The review added:”As it stalls, the show needlessly reiterates Gi-hun’s complaints about bored billionaires and wastes time on characters who don’t end up being particularly important.“
The publication also argued that the plot felt like a rehash of the first season, stating: “Once Gi-hun returns in his green suit, the season feels like a cycle of play, murder, rage, repeat. The return of the giant, creepy robot doll Young-hee feels like pure fan service.“
Furthermore, Time criticized the season finale’s abrupt cliffhanger, calling it “frustratingly unfinished”.
The divided reception arouses interest
With reviews divided between acclaim and criticism, it remains to be seen how The Squid Game: Season 2 will perform in the coming weeks. While some praise its deeper exploration of themes and compelling new characters, others lament its pacing and lack of innovation compared to the original.
The Squid Game: Season 2 is now available to stream on Netflix.
