Series hit from South Korea: Start of season two: global success “Squid Game” continues

It is probably one of the biggest surprises in streaming history: The South Korean thriller series “Squid Game” (German: “Squid Game”) is developing into a global phenomenon in 2021 and is the most successful Netflix production to date. Over three years later, things are finally moving on. The seven episodes of the second season are now available – and they are not very contemplative.

“Each series has its own local and cultural code. But even though Squid Game is a non-English language series, it is a story that you can identify with – regardless of language, culture, religion or ethnicity,” says series creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk (53) from the German Press Agency. “The visual representation is also internationally appealing. I believe these are the main reasons for its global success.”

In fact, “Squid Game” has everything a modern production needs: brightly colored and computer game-like locations, masks and suits that are ideal for Halloween and carnival, and iconic sequences that can be shared on social media like Tiktok.

People in debt are fighting for their lives and existence

But what is it about? Every year, 456 people, some with astronomically high debts, are kidnapped by a mysterious organization to an unknown island off Seoul. There they have to take part in several Korean children’s games. Whoever passes all of them wins the jackpot of 45.6 billion won (currently the equivalent of around 30 million euros).

But whoever loses is “disqualified” – at least that’s what the makers of the games call it. The participants are shot in front of the others. Each death increases the winnings.

“The violence we show in Squid Game when players are eliminated is not just there to show violence,” explains Emmy-winning series creator Hwang. It is an allegory for how a capitalist system deals with its losers. “The social system simply stands by and waits for the slow and painful death of those who fall by the wayside in this limitless competition.”

Is participation really a free decision?

The bloody social criticism, as formulated by the South Korean Oscar sensation “Parasite” in 2019, goes one step further in its second round. This time, the other players can vote after each round whether they want to continue or share the previous winnings and leave the island alive. But how free is such a decision for people who are financially and socially on the brink?

Seong Gi-hun, who won the “Squid Game” of the first season as player 456, is leaving no stone unturned to persuade his fellow contestants to quit. Three years after his victory, he allowed himself to be kidnapped to the island again to put an end to the goings-on.

This time in the huge and barren dormitory he meets an old friend, a ruthless rapper, a fanatical shaman, a trans person and a pregnant woman. The interpersonal relationships and dynamics are also a central part of the new episodes.

In addition to a classic from the first season (“Red Light, Green Light”), there are also new, perfidious children’s games about life and death – which, however, are not so much in focus this time.

Fans had to wait a long time for a sequel; a third and final season has already been announced for 2025. This time, after a rather slow introduction, it takes quite a long time until the actual games start.

But they immediately captivate the audience again. Also thanks to the scary and (mostly) anonymous “soldiers” with their masks and pink jumpsuits who monitor the games and mercilessly shoot those eliminated in their green tracksuits.

“Squid Game” is not a series for children

When the first season was broadcast, there were reports of “Squid Game” games in schoolyards in several countries, including Germany. The losers were slapped in the face.

The “Squid Game” maker therefore points out that his series – despite the children’s games – is not intended for young people. “It is designed for adults who have the ability to understand the context and message of the series.” Netflix recommends the format for ages 16 and up.