"Squid Game" symbolizes the zeitgeist of our time. The economy has become more difficult since season 1, and polarization has intensified. In that sense, I believe season 2 will be a work that offers comfort while also provoking thought for us who must endure for a long time.

Noh Chang-hee, director of the Digital Industry Policy Research Institute, participated in the "Netflix Insight Session" held in Gangnam, Seoul, on the 23rd, noting, "It is true that Netflix dramas have been relatively stagnant since "The Glory," but I expect that Squid Game season 2 will rewrite the myth created by season 1."

He recently analyzed the popularity of Netflix's entertainment program "Black and White Chefs," noting that during tough economic times, entertainment is often consumed more than drama.

Squid Game 2 poster

Squid Game season 2, which will be released on the 26th at 5 p.m., tells the story of Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who vows revenge and re-enters the game, and the fierce confrontation with the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) as the real game begins again.

This is the sequel, released three years after season 1 premiered in 2021. At that time, Squid Game was viewed by 142 million households worldwide and topped the charts in 94 countries. It also holds the record for the longest-running number one on Netflix globally, maintaining its position for 53 days.

Jung Deok-hyun, a cultural critic, remarked, "I believe that the keyword that best describes Korean society is "survival," and Squid Game dramatically expresses this concept." He added that expectations for Squid Game season 2 are very high.

The critic continued, "I hope Netflix secures the diversity of Korean content, and the success of Squid Game season 2 will have a positive impact on the entire Korean content industry."

From left, Jeong Deok-hyun, cultural critic; No Chang-hee, director of the Digital Industry Policy Research Institute; and Lee Sung-min, professor at Korea National Open University. /Courtesy of Netflix

Lee Sung-min, a professor at Korea National Open University, said, "I believe that Squid Game is truly realizing Netflix's dream of building fandom using intellectual property (IP)." He added, "The accumulation of such experiences will serve as a confirmation of Korean content leadership."

On that day, Oh So-young, senior manager of Netflix's Consumer Products team, said, "Squid Game season 2 is being prepared to become a festival celebrating K-culture beyond just simple content," and "We will provide experiences that can be directly experienced in various locations around the world, including LA, New York, Madrid, Paris, and Sydney."

Ahead of the release of Squid Game season 2, Netflix is also preparing large-scale collaborations with leading domestic brands such as Kakao Friends, Olive Young, and Shinsegae.

Noh emphasized, "Since Netflix came to our country in 2016 and actively invested in K-content, there have been many examples of content that can succeed from a global perspective." He added, "Netflix has the potential to maximize the positive possibilities of the Korean content market."

In response, Professor Lee noted, "The biggest characteristic of the existing Korean audiovisual industry is that it is separated from broadcasting and film." He continued, "After Netflix's entry into the domestic market, videos involving staff with production capabilities could be released as drama series, with "Squid Game" showcasing this convergence well."

Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk created films such as "The Crucible," "Miss Granny," and "The Fortress," and became the first Korean to win an Emmy Award for directing with his first drama series, "Squid Game." This marked the first time a non-English drama won a directing award at the prestigious Emmy Awards in the U.S. television industry.