"Squid Game 2" will be released today (26th) at 5 p.m. The release time of 5 p.m. is midnight (0) in Pacific Standard Time, a U.S. west coast time zone.
According to Netflix, all episodes from 1 to 7 will be released simultaneously. Compared to the first season, which had nine episodes, the volume has slightly decreased.
"Squid Game 2" depicts the fierce battle between Gi-hun, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae, who vows revenge and returns to participate in the game, and the Front Man, portrayed by Lee Byung-hun, who confronts him.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk explained, "Season 1 ended with Gi-hun attempting to board a flight to Los Angeles to meet his daughter, only to turn back," adding, "The confrontation between Gi-hun, who tries to stop them, and the Front Man, who stands in his way and attempts to change him, becomes the central story and conflict structure of season 2."
Attention is focused on whether season 2 can surpass the unprecedented success and global phenomenon of season 1. The anticipation is heightened especially by the fact that the production cost alone was around 100 billion won.
According to Netflix's official tally, "Squid Game 1" recorded a cumulative viewing time of 1.65045 billion hours within 28 days of its release, setting a record high for Netflix's history. When converted into years, that time amounts to a staggering 188,000 years. About 95% of the viewing time was from overseas. It became the most-watched work in a total of 94 countries, including Korea.
Though more than three years have passed since its release, "Squid Game 1" still holds its position as Netflix's highest-grossing work. Season 1 currently records 2.2052 billion viewing hours.