It took 3 years to write the script for part 2 of “Squid Game” but in the end, the audience criticized it as bad and rambling. Many people regret that the film wasted the combination of many talented actors. 

Drab, repetitive, no element of surprise

It took two long episodes out of seven in Squid Game season 2 to get the story to its core. In the meantime, the show indulged in repeating the male lead Gi Hun’s ( played by Lee Jung Jae ) criticism of the big shots who treated Squid Game as a pastime, wasting time on unimportant characters.

When Gi Hun returns in his familiar green tracksuit, the audience meets new players but unfortunately, the plot is too similar to the first season: play, kill, rage, then repeat.

The terrifying giant doll Young Hee returns with “Red Light, Green Light” simply to please fans. Despite the addition of new games, the candy-colored backdrop and haunting nursery rhymes still don’t feel any different from what viewers witnessed last season.

As the games begin, Detective Hwang Jun Ho’s quest to find a location for the survival game is sidelined. The finale’s ending was rushed, leaving an already disjointed season even more unfinished.

“A movie that is over-promoted, colorful cover but empty content”, “Terribly bad, frustrating to watch. The main character’s plan is incredibly stupid”, “The movie should have ended in part 1″… Audiences gave harsh reviews.

Gong Yoo and Hwang Dong Hyuk (right) are praised as the highlights in part 2 of Squid Game.

The half-hearted ending allows the film to continue to the new part, airing in the second half of 2025, but only makes the audience more bored because there is no element of surprise. Compared to the survival film genre that has become a Japanese brand, Squid Game is clearly far behind in terms of logical content and character development.

The highlight of this season is the appearance of more female characters with more depth, from a pregnant player to a self-proclaimed magician. The male character (played by Yang Dong Geun) unexpectedly discovers that his mother (played by Kang Ae Sim) has joined the game to help him pay off his debt. The guard who is explored in depth is a woman (played by Park Gyu Young), but unfortunately, her story does not develop as expected. In addition, the appearance of a transgender woman, also a former soldier, portrayed sympathetically, brings a strong message of support for the LGBTQ community in the military.

“Milking” scene because the director is not satisfied with the salary?

Gathering a cast of key actors in part 2 such as Lee Byung Hyun (playing Front Man/Hwang In Ho), Gong Yoo, Lee Jung Jae… but clearly the script was too predictable and forced, destroying everything.

Hwang Dong Hyuk – the screenwriter and director spent 3 years in development, but in the end, the audience felt it was a waste for the actors who agreed to participate.

Director Hwang Dong Hyuk.

The catalyst for the sequel to be released was the director himself. Part 1 caused a global “storm” and brought in high revenue, but due to contract terms, Hwang Dong Hyuk did not “earn” much.

“I had no intention of doing a second season,” Hwang told Variety . Ironically, he explained that he only agreed to continue the series because he felt he wasn’t being paid enough for the first season. “I was so bored with Squid Game. I was tired of making something and having to promote it,” Hwang lamented in the same interview. This fatigue was evident throughout season 2.

Many viewers believe that the director’s motive is money, because he is not satisfied with the salary he received, so he continues to develop the second part of the film, which is no more than “milking” the film. The best parts are probably left in part 1.

The Squid Game merchandising frenzy has been building over the past three years, with Mattel, Crocs, Johnnie Walker and more jumping on board for season two. “Netflix has even hosted real-life versions of Squid Game , from The Challenge to Squid Game: The Experience events on three continents, as if the show’s message is simply that deadly, childish games are fun,” Time commented.

Popular YouTuber MrBeast took the internet by storm with his “Real Life Squid Game Worth $456,000!” video and turned it into a Prime Video show called Beast Games, which debuted just a week before Squid Game 2 premiered. Sadly, some contestants in the parody competition complained of sleep deprivation, food shortages, and even had to be hospitalized during filming.

“The original message of Squid Game was a warning about the glamorized and commercialized violence that exists in a system that enriches the few and pits the poor against each other for what they have. The overwhelming commercial success of the Squid Game brand suggests that we have failed to learn that lesson. What Squid Game did has drowned out what it said. What was once a sharp satire about greed, exploitation, and economic division has now become a brand that makes money like any other ‘commercial machine,’” Time wrote .