Squid Game is making its much-anticipated return. Netflix’s most popular show ever, a dystopian portrayal of a divided society, drops its second season this Monday, just as South Korea finds itself embroiled in real-life political unrest.
The release follows a chaotic period in the country’s leadership, when President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly declared martial law, triggering a national crisis. He was eventually forced into a dramatic reversal after lawmakers, backed by the public, fought against this decision and voted it down.
Despite surviving an impeachment attempt, Yoon’s party has been accused of staging a “second coup” to hold on to power. As protests loom and opposition groups vow to remove him, the nation remains in turmoil.
Squid Game, a stark and ultra-violent narrative about inequality and division, helped cement South Korea’s position as a global cultural powerhouse. The show joins other international successes like the Oscar-winning Parasite and K-pop sensation BTS in showcasing South Korea’s growing cultural influence.
Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of the series, shared his concerns ahead of the season two premiere. The director expressed how deeply unsettling it was to see his country caught in such a chaotic political moment. “It is deeply infuriating and unfortunate,” Hwang said during the press conference, highlighting the widespread anxiety that has gripped South Korea due to the political crisis.
The creator voiced his displeasure over how the country had been thrust into turmoil, with many South Koreans spending their end-of-year in a state of fear and uncertainty. He also called for President Yoon to take responsibility for his actions, whether through impeachment or voluntary resignation.
Season two introduces several fresh faces, including a “crypto expert” mired in debt and a transgender character who struggles to afford gender confirmation surgery. The main character, Seong Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, returns to the game, now three years after his first win, with a mission to take down the violent organization behind the deadly competition.
When the first season debuted in 2021, Squid Game became a significant milestone in the “Hallyu” wave, the global rise of South Korean entertainment, which had gained traction following Psy’s “Gangnam Style.” However, this progress is now threatened, with over 3,000 figures in South Korea’s film industry voicing their concerns. They stated that Hallyu is now at risk of “falling into the abyss” following President Yoon’s actions, especially after he declared martial law and censored the media.
During the six-hour martial law period, South Korea announced that all media would be subject to government control. This move raised serious concerns, with filmmakers and cultural leaders condemning the actions as a form of betrayal. The group, which includes renowned figures like Parasite director Bong Joon-ho, demanded Yoon’s resignation.
The first season of Squid Game drew inspiration from South Korea’s real-life struggles, notably a 2009 factory strike that resulted in numerous deaths from stress and suicide. The show highlighted the lives of marginalized people, including a North Korean defector and a financially burdened worker, who play childhood games for a chance to win a fortune—with deadly consequences for the losers.
Still Netflix’s most-watched series, Squid Game has amassed over 330 million views. Hwang explained that the show’s success stemmed from its relevance to real-world issues. The second season will continue this trend, featuring themes that reflect the absurdities and tensions found both within South Korea and globally.
“Watching Squid Game won’t feel detached from the world we live in,” said Hwang. “Audiences will still find connections to the conflicts, divisions, and chaos happening around us.”
