Here’s why Netflix has already hinted at ‘Squid Game’ season 2
The first season of Squid Game may be over, but Netflix is keen to keep this top series running. The survival series surprisingly became the first Korean drama to achieve No. 1 on Netflix. Not only did Squid Game reach No. 1, but it also did so only four days after its release.
The knockout Korean thriller has practically beat out competitors all over the world. Ever since it premiered on September 17th, Squid Game has risen to Netflix’s Top 10 in at least sixty-six countries.
Although fans & Netflix’s CEO are more than ready for season 2, Squid Game’s writer & director Hwang Dong-hyuk is still recovering from the exhausting process of creating the first season. See how Netflix is willing to drop season 2, but Hwang is looking for a vacation (at least from the series).
Netflix CEO calls Squid Game “biggest show ever”
In a recent statement from Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s Co-CEO & Head of Content, he said, “Squid Game will definitely be our biggest non-English language show in the world, for sure,” and has “a very good chance it’s going to be our biggest show ever.”
From the sound of this statement, Netflix is looking to continue Squid Game for as long as it can last and it’s easy to see why. Squid Game has proven to be the top show on Netflix right now and has caused a considerable amount of buzz. At this point, just about everyone has started or finished Squid Game.
For those who finished the series, ratings for similar shows have risen as Squid Game fans look for something to tide them over. Similar East Asian bloody shows such as Sweet Home & Alice in Borderland are getting another spike in views despite both dropping last year. So, how long will Squid Game fans have to wait for season 2?
Showrunner interested in making films before season 2
Writer/director Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed in a Variety interview that writing the first season all by himself rightfully took a lot out of him. Hwang has mostly directed movies during his accomplished career, yet Squid Game is the first show he ever created.
It took the showrunner nearly six months to write just the first two episodes of the series. It’s clear that writing & directing Squid Game all by himself proved to be a tremendous challenge. As a result, he’s looking for a break from the series.
In the same interview, Hwang Dong-hyuk explained he may return to produce feature films before making a new season of Squid Game. “If I were to do it, I would certainly not do it alone. I’d consider using a writers’ room and would want multiple experienced directors,” said Hwang.
He added, “I don’t have well-developed plans for Squid Game 2. It is quite tiring just thinking about it.”
The director is currently working on outlining a film titled KO Club, which is short for “Killing Old Men Club.” The film is said to center on an inter-generational war and perhaps we can expect the same amount of blood as seen in Squid Game.
The wait begins for season 2
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk recently shared with YTN, a Korean news outlet, that he first thought of the show’s premise back in 2008, so he’s had plenty of time to flesh out a longer storyline beyond the first season.
“I wanted to write a story that was an allegory or fable about modern capitalist society, something that depicts an extreme competition, somewhat like the extreme competition of life. But I wanted it to use the kind of characters we’ve all met in real life,” Hwang told Variety.
With the depiction of capitalism and economic class despair, we’re certain Hwang could create countless more seasons from such heavy topics. Meanwhile, if Hwang agrees to create a season 2, we must be aware that it will take some time to reach our screens.
Squid Game was first announced in 2019, with production taking nearly two years to complete. Thus, even if we follow this optimistic timeline, season 2 will likely not premiere before 2023.
—
Have you finished Squid Game? Are you also a fan of Sweet Home or Alice in Borderland? Let us know in the comments below!
