“SQUID GAME 2” – A JOURNEY OF GREED AND SURVIVAL

This content is mature-rated.

Chloe Dang, Staff Writer • January 30, 2025

Gong Yoo’s return has created a fever due to his challenging and intricate role – the Salesman.

“Squid Game 2”—released on 26 December 2024—promises to bring unique perspectives and expose the hidden side of society. With a Metacritic score of 62/100, this season got a variety of reviews. Some viewers love the amazing production quality, strong acting, and the series’ connection to real-life issues. Moreover, a lot of new characters represent different lives but are still filled with pain and sorrow, such as Jang Geum-ja (Kang Ae-shim) and her son Yong-sik (Yang Dong-geun), who have massive debt because the son gambled and lost heavily. However, others feel like it doesn’t quite live up to the hype of the first season; the repetitive storyline (said in some audience feedback) makes the second season less engaging and captivating compared to the previous.

Squid Game introduced to the audience a gripping survival competition, mixing desperation, greed, and inequality. Season one concentrated on how the game operated and focused on diverse players who are all being driven by personal struggles and difficulties. In contrast, season two develops in a more “origin story” focused on the game and motivations of its founders, while, at the same time, it explores what happened afterward with Seung Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae)—the surviving character. The new season provides a more complex look at the moral and real purpose of the game.

Seung Gi Hun, who survived the previous round, impresses with his revenge and meticulous planning when he returns for round 2 of this death game.

Earning acclaim from audiences for the attractive character development, the new transgender role, Hyun-Joo (Park Sung-hoon), promotes the depth and complexity elements of the series; however, there are still concerns about the exploration of this character, when Hyun-Joo’s backstory and personality should be discovered more completely to enhance her connections with the overarching plot. On the other hand, the actor who portrays Hyun-Joo has performed excellent work on his distinctive acting skills, which can convey sophisticated emotions and bring a genuine feel to the role.

Transgender character Hyun-Joo, played by Park Sung-hoon, received a lot of compliments for his unique character development and professional acting.

Its storyline has mainly continued to focus on the story of the revenge of season one winner Seong Gi Hun, focusing mainly on new corners of life, exposing secrets, and aspects dealing with human nature. With camera angles, techniques, and settings designed to perfection, the movie will take viewers through different emotions by each scene, presenting the audience with an opportunity to observe the real nature of the players facing life-or-death situations. They must deal with games that evoke the nostalgia of childhood combined with bloodshed and violence. This creates a suffocating atmosphere, enhancing the tension for the viewers.

T.O.P’s appearance as “Thanos” in the movie with his captivating performance aroused interest and attracted a lot of views.

“Squid Game 2” is a must-watch for psychological horror fans with a captivating plot and strong performances. However, there are varying opinions on the series’ pacing, with some finding it slow and others enjoying the suspense. I rate it 4.5/5 for its captivating storyline but see that there are plot holes, especially Seong Gi Hun’s reckless decisions. The Village School students, Vikings, should watch this show since it’s an interesting series to watch if students are into K-dramas and want to learn more about Korean traditional folk games.

Resources

https://collider.com/squid-game-nielsen-charts-5-billion-minutes/

https://entertainment.inquirer.net/586994/squid-game-2-main-trailer-shows-unseen-footage-new-game-venue

https://screenrant.com/squid-game-season-2-hyun-ju-actor-player-120-park-sung-hoon/

https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/story/lee-jung-jae-interview-squid-game-2

About the Contributor

Chloe Dang, Writer

Chloe Dang is a Viking Media staff member and currently freshman. She had a big passion for photojournalism, reporting current events, and wanted to make great contributions to The Viking Press. Moreover, she has a desire to explore different forms of media such as newspapers, and how to take a good photograph. For her, joining Viking Media is a potential way to make an impact on her school. She's currently a part of the business immersion and crochet club. She has a big interest in crafting and likes to make handmade products in her free time.