00:00We're getting an in-depth look at one of the year's most anticipated show returns,
00:10Squid Game, just ahead of its Season 2 launch. THR was the only major U.S. outlet invited to
00:16visit the set of Squid Game Season 2, where we spoke to the cast and creator behind Netflix's
00:21most massive hit. Squid Game went from a sleeper hit to a cultural phenomenon after premiering
00:26three years ago, becoming Netflix's most popular show of all time in any language.
00:31And now it's possibly the most anticipated returning series on the planet.
00:36Season 2 picks up with Player 456 returning to the game. After giving up his opportunity to go
00:41to the States after winning, he's now headed back to the arena with a whole new group of participants
00:46and a new mission in mind. Star Lee Jung Jae notes of the new season,
00:50I think a lot of people are expecting him to be more hardened or cynical,
00:54but that's exactly what we've been deliberating as we film, adding that Season 2 gets even darker
00:59than the first. With a new season comes new rules. A major rule change sees players forced
01:05to choose after each round whether to continue or quit, with the decision made by majority vote.
01:10They also will be divided into two camps based on their vote. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk gave THR's
01:16Rebecca Sun a tour of the set, including new game sets and the famous dormitory set,
01:21which now features a new addition, a large illuminated X and O in the middle of the floor,
01:26central to the game's new rule and Season 2's prevailing themes about choice and division.
01:32I was inspired by the sheer fact that everywhere you turn, people are drawing lines, whether by
01:36generation, class, religion, ethnicity, or race. I wanted to tell a story about how the different
01:41choices we make create conflicts among us and open up a conversation about whether there's a way to
01:47move toward a direction where we can overcome these divisions. And division is top of mind
01:52for many U.S. viewers in the wake of the U.S. presidential election. Hwang notes,
01:56We live in a democratic society, but the dominant side rules, so I wanted to pose the question,
02:02is the majority always right? But as far as how audiences will take in the new season,
02:06he did note that he does have some anxiety surrounding its release.
02:10I have about two nightmares a week, usually about something going wrong during shooting
02:14or people saying that it's not good. Will the games be as entertaining as in Season 1?
02:18Are the characters as charming? Seeing it from that angle,
02:21it's going to be either my biggest success ever or the biggest failure.
02:25For more on this cover story, head to THR.com.
02:28And for the latest entertainment news and updates, keep watching The Hollywood Reporter News.
Comments