Netflix Confirms That Hit Korean Show 'Squid Game' Will Be Coming Back For A Second Season

Netflix has finally confirmed that the hit Korean TV show, Squid Game, is returning for a second season. Co-CEO and chief content officer, Ted Sarandos revealed the future plans for the show at Netflix’s fourth-quarter 2021 earnings interview. 

When asked if the show was returning, he said, "Absolutely," and added, "The Squid Game universe has just begun." The eight-part series became the streaming giant's most-watched series at the time of its premiere. With the possibilities the future of the show presents, Sarandos put it in the category of Netflix’s burgeoning bouquet of entertainment franchises that the company sees as having growth potential outside the core streaming service. This includes live experiences, games, and merchandise, reported NBC News. Sarandos also mentioned shows Bridgerton and Stranger Things, both of which are returning for new seasons to Netflix.

The renewal of the show does not come as much of a surprise considering how things were left at the end of the final episode. Additionally, the creator and director of the show, Hwang Dong-hyuk had mentioned the return of the show last year. "There will indeed be a second season," he has stated, promising that the show was not over yet. "It's in my head right now, I'm in the planning process currently." He went on to say, “There’s been a lot of demand and pressure and love for a second season. It almost feels like we don’t have a choice," adding, "At this moment, I’m in the planning stages. It’s too early to say when and how it will come out though. But I can promise this. The main character, (Seong) Gi Hun, will be back and do something for the world.”

The hit series follows the story of 456 cash-strapped individuals who get inducted to play a series of children's games with a deadly consequence. They are assured a grand cash reward if they manage to clear all the levels but there can only be one winner. (Warning, spoilers ahead!) At the end of the first season, there is one man standing. Gi Hun manages to win the games and in the last scene, he is about to board a plane to America to meet his daughter. But he gets a call from the anonymous organizers of the deadly games and walks away from his flight with a determination as fiery as his red hair. 

Lee Jung-Jae plays Seong Gi-hun and even spilled details about what we can expect. "I have no idea what will happen or the scale of it," he explained, "but the only thing [Hwang] did tell me was that Seong Gi-hun is going to be in the show again, and he's going to be playing in the arena again." He added, "I hope there's some sort of twist that'll be exciting and surprising for me and the viewers. If it was predictable, it would be no fun."