The second season of Squid Game has only just dropped, but fans are already being teased about what the third instalment will have in store.
The hit Netflix series made its highly-anticipated return to the streaming platform on 26 December, three years after it’s record-breaking debut in 2021.
A lot of viewers took advantage of their time off over the festive season and binge-watched the entire thing, so people are already hungry for more of the dystopian survival thriller.
So, spoiler alert – it looks as though ‘The Doll‘ is here to stay…but next time around, the creepy animatronic won’t be alone.
The towering motion-sensor, named Young-hee, essentially runs the game ‘Red Light, Green Light‘ in Squid Game and has the power to eliminate contestants.
I’m sure we all remember how her electronic eyes scan the field searching for any competitors wobbling or making a misstep – and the chilling consequences they face for getting caught.
And it appears that it will be even harder for the Squid Game contestants to avoid detection in the third series, as Young-hee has got some backup.
The 15-second clip shows The Doll standing opposite another animatronic, although this one is male.
Introducing him to the world, Netflix wrote alongside the video: “Everyone say hi to Chul-su. Squid Game 3 coming 2025.”
So, who is this second killing machine?
Young-hee won’t be the only animatronic to be scared of in season three of Squid Game (Netflix)
Well, according to a video shared by Netflix on its ‘Still Watching Netflix’ YouTube channel, this new character is the yin to Young-hee’s yang.
It explained: “As we find out over the course of the series, all the components of the games are rooted in South Korean childhood – specifically from the mid to late 1900s.
“Whether it be the games themselves, the set designs or the purpose behind it all.”
But what’s the story behind Young-hee and Chul-su dolls? Apparently, their South Korea’s version of Jack and Jill, or Dick and Jane.
The clip continued: “South Korean school textbooks had two fictional children as their main characters, Chul-su and Young-hee.
“They were used to teach Korean kids about morals, good behaviours and to learn how to read and write.”
But obviously, the pair will have a lot more sinister intentions in Squid Game.
Netflix shared a teaser clip introducing fans to Chul-su (Netflix)
Fans are already sharing their theories about what kind of torture this gruesome twosome will inflict, as well as what game they might be involved in.
One said: “My theory is that there is going to be a Jack and Jill game like Red Light Green Light…you have to go to the top of the hill, it’s says green light…and if its says red light stop moving.”
Another added: “My theory is that Chul-Su will stand behind the starting line, so the players cant hide, and Young-hee will stay behind the finish line, where she always was.”
Regardless, everyone is expecting them to kick off season three with a challenge even more ‘brutal’ than anything we have seen so far.
There isn’t an official release date for the third instalment yet, however the show’s creator Hwang Dong-hyu did hint that we wouldn’t have to wait too long to find out more.
“At this point, anything I might say is going to be a spoiler, so I want to be cautious,” he told Variety.
“But what I can say is, after season two launches, I believe we will be announcing the launch date for season three soon. I probably expect that to launch around summer or fall.
“How is Gi-hun going to carry on his mission? That’s the story that’ll further unfold.”
Squid Game’s Park Sung-hoon has been forced to apologise after sharing an ‘adult’ version of the Netflix series.
The second season of the incredibly popular Netflix show arrived on the streaming platform on Boxing Day (26 December).
As well as Lee Jung-jae returning to the role of Gi-hun, who is hellbent on destroying the Squid Games once and for all, the new series features some new contestants.
Amongst the new additions to the show, which include former K-pop musicians, T.O.P from BigBang, ZE:A’s Yim Si-wan, and Iz*One’s Jo Yuri, is Park, who plays Hyun-Ju in the show.
Hyun-Ju is a transgender woman and former Marine, who enters the Squid Games to pay for gender-affirming surgery.
However, the actor has faced a considerable amount of criticism after sharing an explicit image from a porn parody of Squid Game on his social media.
Park Sung-hoon plays the character of Hyun-Ju, a transgender woman (Netflix)
On his Instagram Stories, Park shared the DVD cover of a Japanese porn film called ‘Squirt Game’ – however, it was swiftly deleted.
In South Korea, distribution of pornographic material is a felony and can result in a one-year prison sentence and a fine.
Some fans initially believed that his account had been hacked, according to Pink News, however, the timing supposedly accentuated the criticism as Korea JoongAng reports that it was apparently posted as the country entered in a seven-day mourning period for the Jeju Air plane crash which occurred on Sunday (29 December).
Park shared the DVD cover on his Instagram Stories (Instagram/@boxabum)
Some took to Twitter to voice their opinion on the situation, with a few claiming he should be removed from his upcoming TV series, The Tyrant’s Chef, Dexerto reports.
Park’s representative agency, BH Entertainment, has since released a statement to issue an apology.
They wrote: “Actor Park accidentally posted the image, which he received in a direct message, by mistakenly pressing the wrong button.
“The actor himself was also very shocked. He is deeply sorry for making such a mistake in these circumstances and promises to be especially careful to ensure it doesn’t happen again.”
Park Sung-Hoon apologised via his agency (iMBC via Getty Images)
Park’s casting as a transgender woman also faced some backlash, as many social media users criticised the decision since the actor is a cisgender man.
However, Squid Games’ creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, said to TV Guide that he’d anticipated this ‘discussion’ when creating the character, adding: “In the beginning we were doing our research, and I was thinking of doing an authentic casting of a trans actor.
“When we researched in Korea, there are close to no actors [who] are openly trans, let alone openly gay, because unfortunately in Korean society the LGBTQ+ community is still marginalised and more neglected, which is heart-breaking.”
Netflix also confirmed that they had worked with trans and LGBTQ+ consultants when creating the second season, NBC News reports.
The creator of Squid Game has weighed in on whether viewers sticking on the second season of the hit show should be watching with subtitles, or should go with the dubbed version.
When the release of the first season of the Netflix show came in 2021, whether to watched subbed or dubbed was a hot topic of debate.
The Korean series focuses on a group of 456 contestants all competing for a life-changing sum of money by taking part in deadly twists on childhood games.
Though fairly unheralded prior to its release, Squid Game exploded with interest, leading to it becoming Netflix’s most viewed series ever.
LADbible spoke exclusively to the show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, and asked whether those watching the show should enjoy it in the original Korean with subtitles, or watch it with voice actors dubbing over the lines in English.
Dong-hyuk said: “You know, as people growing up here in Korea, we are very used to watching American or British or overseas films with subtitles.
“So we’re very used to that. But I think a lot of the English speaking countries, they’re not as used to watching other content with subtitles.
“For Squid Game, it’s going to be there’s the dubbed version and the sub version as well.
Squid Game is returning for season two (Netflix)
“I suggest for those of you out there to really get the essence of the actual actors voices and the nuances of their tones, I suggest watching it with subtitles on. I think it’s going to be for a better viewing experience.”
We also spoke to the show’s lead, Lee Jung-jae, who is returning for season two. When posed with the same question but answering from an actor’s perspective, he shared the same view as Dong-hyuk.
He said: “I think I would rather the viewers to watch it with subtitles, because when you watch it with dubbed, then I don’t think it conveys the authenticity of my performance to the fullest.
“You have to really listen to the voice of the actor, and the accent and the emotions and everything are really compiled into the voice of the actor.
“So yeah, I think it’s a better way to really immerse yourself into the character and into the story.”
Season two releases on Boxing Day (Netflix)
When asking Jung-jae about the criticism that the show’s second season has been ‘Americanised’, he said: “Hearing this, and we just actually tried our very best to create an amazing season two, because we know that there is so much love and support from the fans of season one, but maybe you thought it looked a little bit Hollywood?
“Well, that was not our intention, but we just wanted to create a really amazing season two, and we try to perfect every episode and every cut that is in the episode. So that’s what I can tell you about.”
We finally have a release date for the second season of Squid Game and fans are delighted by one specific detail in the new trailer.
When Squid Game first came into our lives back in 2021, Netflix said that it quickly became its most-watched TV show with a whopping 1.65 billion hours worth of views in 28 days.
For those not in the know, the South Korean Netflix series follows 456 people who are in major financial ruin.
When being offered the chance to compete in a game show, they suddenly have to opportunity to have that burden lifted for a cash prize of 45.6 billion won (£23.2 million).
The only catch is that contestants must compete against one other in a selection of deadly children’s games.
If contestants don’t win, or decide that they want to leave the competition, well, they’re dead.
It’s quite simply survival of the fittest, and there’s no room for error.
The second season will be coming out later this year. (Netflix)
Now, after three years of waiting, Netflix has finally dropped a proper teaser trailer for the second season and viewers couldn’t be more excited by another key bit of info in the teaser.
Not only did Netflix reveal the release date for season two, it also dropped the release date for the third and final season three.
Taking to the comments, one viewer said: “I’m glad they are keeping it short. This doesn’t seem like a show that should have more than 3 seasons without getting ridiculous.”
It’s the update we’ve all been waiting for. (Netflix)
Another added: “So glad Squid Game is taking the Arcane route and ending things before it gets dragged out.”
“The creator said he wasn’t thinking about making a season 2 but it was so popular I guess he listened to the fans,” someone else pointed out.
Meanwhile, director and writer Hwang Dong-hyuk told fans to get ready for the new season.
“It’s been almost three years since Season 1 was met with incredible response around the world and many unimaginable events took place,” he said.
“I am beyond excited to be writing this letter to announce the date for Season 2 and share the news of Season 3, the final season.
The trailer also revealed that we will be getting at third and final season very soon. (Netflix)
“On the first day we began shooting Season 2, I remember thinking, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I’m back in the world of Squid Game‘.
“It almost felt surreal. I wonder how it will feel for you to be back in Squid Game after three years, as well.
“Seong Gi-hun who vowed revenge at the end of Season 1 returns and joins the game again.
“Will he succeed in getting his revenge?
“Front Man doesn’t seem to be an easy opponent this time either.
“The fierce clash between their two worlds will continue into the series finale with Season 3, which will be brought to you next year.
“I am thrilled to see the seed that was planted in creating a new Squid Game grow and bear fruit through the end of this story.
“We’ll do our best to make sure we bring you yet another thrill ride.
“I hope you’re excited for what’s to come. Thank you, always, and see you soon, everyone.”
Squid Game: Season 2 comes out on December 26, 2024, while the third and final season will be released in 2025.
The creator of Squid Game has hinted that season two is set to feature games ‘darker and more brutal’ than in the first season.
The hit show’s second season is set to release on boxing day this year, following up on the mega-success of the show’s first outing.
Squid Game released to minimal fanfare, before going on to become the most watched single season in the history of Netflix, beating out any season of Stranger Things, Money Heist, and Wednesday.
A feature of the show is the contestants of the titular Squid Games being forced to play through brutal and fatal version of childhood games.
We spoke exclusively to the show’s creator who hinted that the second season’s games are going to be even more brutal than those in season one.
Hwang Dong-hyuk, who created Squid Game and wrote season two, said: “Well, I can’t give you any particular details because of spoilers, so I can’t say for sure.
“But, rather than singling out a particular game, what I can say is that, like in season one, all of the games that you’re going to see in season two come from games that I actually played as a kid growing up.
The show’s creator hinted at a darker season two (Mike Coppola via Getty Images)
“They’re either a direct version of that or an adjusted modified version of that, and some of them are going to be individual games.
“Some will need for people to team up.
“What I can say for sure is that compared to season one, it’s going to be greater in scale. It’s going to be more intriguing.
“Some games are going to be more comical than ones you’ve seen in the past, and some are going to be even darker and more brutal than what you’ve seen in season one.
“There’s going to be a greater amount of entertaining factors, a huge range of experiences.
“It’s going to give you some really extremely sad, heartbreaking moments.
Squid Game is returning for season two (Netflix)
“I can say with confidence that you are going to be in for a wilder, more exciting emotional roller coaster than before”.
Looking forward to season two, we also asked Dong-hyuk whether he had any preference of non-Korean speakers watching the show dubbed in English, or in the original Korean with English subtitles.
He said: “You know, as people growing up here in Korea, we are very used to watching American or British or overseas films with subtitles.
“So we’re very used to that. But I think a lot of the English speaking countries, they’re not as used to watching other content with subtitles.
“For Squid Game, it’s going to be there’s the dubbed version and the sub version as well. And I suggest for those of you out there to really get the essence of the actual actor’s voices and the nuances of their tones.
“I suggest watching it with subtitles on I think it’s going to be for a better viewing experience.”
Squid Game season two releases on Netflix December 26
