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. And now it's
00:32possibly the most anticipated returning series on the planet. Season 2 picks up with player 456
00:38returning to the game. After giving up his opportunity to go to the States after winning,
00:43he's now headed back to the arena with a whole new group of participants and a new mission in mind.
00:48Star 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 to choose
01:05after each round whether to continue or quit, with a decision made by majority vote. They also will
01:11be divided into two camps based on their vote. Creator Hwang Dong-yuk gave THR's Rebecca Sun a tour
01:17of the set, including new game sets and the famous dormitory set, which now features a new addition,
01:22a large illuminated X and O in the middle of the floor, central to the game's new rule and Season 2's
01:29prevailing themes about choice and division. I was inspired by the sheer fact that everywhere you turn,
01:35people are drawing lines, whether by generation, class, religion, ethnicity, or race. I wanted to
01:40tell a story about how the different choices we make create conflicts among us and open up a
01:45conversation about whether there's a way to move toward a direction where we can overcome these
01:49divisions. And division is top of mind for many U.S. viewers in the wake of the U.S. presidential
01:55election. Hwang notes,
01:56But as far as how audiences will take in the new season, he did note that he does have some
02:08anxiety surrounding its release. I have about two nightmares a week, usually about something going
02:13wrong during shooting or people saying that it's not good. Will the games be as entertaining as in
02:18Season 1? Are the characters as charming? Seeing it from that angle, it's going to be either my biggest
02:23success ever or the biggest failure. For more on this cover story, head to THR.com. And for the latest
02:29entertainment news and updates, keep watching The Hollywood Reporter News.
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