Major spoilers for Season 2 of Squid Game ahead. Season 2 of Squid Game premiered on Netflix this week, three years after the first season captivated audiences worldwide. This season follows the protagonist and Season 1 champion, Seong Gi-hun, as he returns to the deadly games. This time, his goal is to dismantle the organization and bring an end to the games once and for all.
The season unfolds with Gi-hun leading a group of players in a rebellion against the game organizers. They manage to seize weapons from the masked guards and create chaos. Before this, the original Front Man, In-ho, befriends Gi-hun by posing as Player 001. However, he fakes his death during the uprising and secretly resumes his position as the masked leader.
A subplot involves Detective Jun-ho trying to locate the mystery island where the games occur. He travels by boat with a crew led by Captain Park. In the final episode, it is revealed that Captain Park is not as innocent as he seems when he kills a crew member who discovers him tampering with a drone.
Season 2 concludes with the tragic murder of Gi-hun’s best friend, Jung-bae, by The Front Man, as punishment for Gi-hun’s rebellion. The season ends without resolution to several major story arcs. For instance, Gi-hun does not learn that Player 001 is the Front Man, and the fate of the boat crew remains unknown. This abrupt ending left many fans disappointed, feeling it was more of a cliffhanger than a complete season.
In an interview with Variety, Squid Game director and writer Hwang Dong-hyuk explained his decision to end the season this way. He initially planned Seasons 2 and 3 as one long story arc. Realizing the story was too extensive for a single season, he decided to split it, providing some closure with Season 2.
Hwang chose to end Season 2 with Jung-bae’s murder to give Gi-hun closure at this point in the story. Season 3 will see Gi-hun dealing with guilt and failure, continuing his mission. Hwang hinted that Gi-hun will be at a critical crossroads in the upcoming season, facing choices about continuing his mission.
A hidden clip after the credits of Episode 7 offers a glimpse of what’s to come in Season 3, suggesting that the deadly games continue. Season 3 will reportedly be the final installment, focusing on the clash between Gi-hun and In-ho’s worlds.
Hwang also mentioned that Season 3 has already been filmed and is scheduled for release in 2025, with a launch date announcement expected soon.