SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – Fans of the hit 2021 Korean series Squid Game have been eagerly anticipating the return of Lee Jung-Jae in the role of Player 456 for the upcoming second season. The show, which became a massive success on Netflix with 1.65 billion viewing hours in its first four weeks and 14 Emmy nominations, is set to make its highly-anticipated comeback this Christmas. Netflix recently unveiled the official trailer for the new season.
In the first season, viewers followed the journey of Seong Gi-hun (portrayed by Lee Jung-Jae), a struggling gambler who agrees to participate in deadly playground games with 455 other players in exchange for money. The high-stakes twist of the games, where losing means death and cheating leads to the same fate, captured audiences around the world. Despite the gruesome nature of Squid Game, it was the relatability of characters like Gi-hun that resonated with viewers, showcasing themes of guilt, shame, and desperation in a society that drives them to extreme measures.
In the season one finale, Gi-hun faced off against his childhood friend, Cho Sang-woo (played by Park Hae-soo), in a dramatic showdown in the “squid game.” Despite emerging victorious, Gi-hun refused to kill Sang-woo, opting instead to invoke a special clause that allowed them to live but forfeit the prize money. Sang-woo, consumed by guilt, made a tragic decision that left Gi-hun grappling with the aftermath. As Gi-hun contemplated leaving for America to be with his daughter, he made a last-minute decision to take down the game from within, setting the stage for a thrilling second season.