In an exclusive interview, we explored insights from the cast and crew of the globally acclaimed Korean drama series regarding the highly anticipated second season of Squid Game 2.

The immense popularity of the Korean series Squid Game was unparalleled when its first season launched in 2021. Since that groundbreaking debut, the series has remained a hot topic, particularly with the announcement of its much-anticipated second season. With Squid Game 2 set to debut on Netflix the day after Christmas, fans are eager to discover the thrilling new games that await them. Furthermore, the return of Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun introduces intriguing dynamics that could influence the plans of The Front Man, played by Lee Byung-hun, along with the masterminds behind this deadly competition.

As the premiere of Squid Game 2 approaches, I had the unique opportunity to pose questions to the stars and the visionary creator of the series. Please note that some of their responses might contain spoilers for those eager to delve into the new season, so it’s advisable to proceed with caution if you wish to avoid any revelations.

The talented director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who meticulously wrote and directed all seven episodes this season, is already contemplating a third season. Netflix has grand plans to expand the franchise beyond its current scope. I took the opportunity to ask the director about the possibility of branching out into international adaptations of Squid Game through spin-offs, potentially capturing the essence of different cultures.

“It would be great if each of the other countries could take it up for themselves. I don’t think it will be easy for me to travel to these countries and create their versions of Squid Game. I feel like the most fitting version of Squid Game for each country would best be done by their local creators. So my personal hope is that we would get a different version of Squid Game for each of the different countries by their local creators. That’d be great.”

Returning star Lee Jung-jae, who reprises his iconic role as Gi-hun (Player 456), faced the challenge of portraying a character who has prior experience in the brutal competition. I inquired whether it was difficult for him to embody a character in a much darker place this time around, given the evolution of the storyline.

“Yes, it was much more challenging for me to portray the darker Gi-hun because you can’t be so expressive when you’re a darker character. He was always tense in season two, always focused on achieving his only one goal of, you know, saving people and putting an end to the game. So I thought, what would make me look very grounded? I try to put myself in his shoes, but I am the only one who plays him. So, who can I ask for more advice? So that was the hard part, but I thought that because his only goal in season two was to make it out alive with his contestants. Understanding the other characters’ backstories better and deeper would help me because I realized that while he is a darker character, he is a very altruistic character, so when I understood that, that made it easier for me to portray this character.”

We also had a conversation with new cast member Jo Yu-ri, who takes on the role of Kim Jun-hee (Player 222). I asked her about the experience of joining a series that boasts a massive global fanbase and the overwhelming expectations for the second season, which is poised to continue the legacy of the original.

“Season one was such a huge success commercially and both in terms of impact. And I was a huge fan of the season one. I was actually one of those fans who was waiting for the announcement of season two. So, when I first heard that I had this offer from the team. I couldn’t really believe it. At first, it didn’t feel real.”

As Squid Game 2 unfolds, it promises to be packed with thrilling developments, setting the stage for a potential third season. With the entire season premiering during the holiday season, when many people are off work, there will undoubtedly be extensive discussions and analyses in the days and weeks following its release.

Squid Game 2 will make its grand debut on December 26th on Netflix.