Squid Game 2 Officially Debuts On Netflix With Mixed Reviews
The highly anticipated second season of the South Korean series Squid Game premiered on Netflix on October 26, 2023, and has quickly garnered global attention. While the show maintains its extraordinary impact, expectations have not fully aligned with reality. South Korean media has praised the compelling performances of Lee Jung-jae and Lee Byung-hun, alongside the stellar cast bringing their own unique charm to the thrill-laden narrative. Yet, the inclusion of former BIGBANG member T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun) has sparked controversy, with his portrayal receiving significant criticism.
Following the release, YTN, a prominent South Korean media outlet, reported on the mixed reception of Season 2. They noted the depth of character development and the emotional extremes portrayed this season, commenting on how the new games were created with heightened tension, effectively enhancing the story from the first season. The series not only retained the successes of the first outing but potentially deepened those elements.
Despite these praises, there were substantial criticisms. YTN described the narrative structure of Season 2 as having three distinct arcs — focusing on the protagonist, Seong Gi-hun, and his experiences both pre- and post-game, as well as characters like detective Hwang Jun-ho and the soldier, Park Gye-young, which somewhat diluted the newer games' excitement and overall pace.
Fans of the first season expressed disappointment about the perceived lack of classic childhood games within the deadly stakes set forth. Expectations of Seong Gi-hun strategically outwitting the game creators led to disillusionment, especially as the season wrapped up with intense gun battles, prompting YTN to question the appropriateness of this plot direction.
Critique was particularly harsh around T.O.P’s performance; he plays the character of a rapper named Thanos, but his acting was labeled as disappointing, described using the analogy of "mouse droppings" by YTN. His on-screen choices were said to amplify audience recalls of his real-life marijuana incidents, diminishing the overall viewer engagement.
While overseas audiences may not share the same perceptions due to unfamiliarity with T.O.P's past, South Korean viewers found his casting deceptive. The media voiced concern over the authentic alignment between the character's portrayal and T.O.P's public image, as his exaggerated performance failed to adapt well to the series’ ethos, generating frustration among local fans.
The anticipation surrounding Squid Game 2 was immense following the monumental success of its first season, which defined streaming trends globally. The show had even received accolades including multiple Golden Globe nominations and Emmys, contributing to extraordinary hype for the sequel. Yet, post-release, this fervor seems to have met with risk as international media has begun to convey disappointment. Some outlets posited statements such as, "if one has watched the first season, they will only see repeated themes, lacking novelty" and "the second season fails to match the original’s thrill and allure."
Investor reactions have shown mounting concern as stock for several companies affiliated with Squid Game plummeted following the premiere. Shares of Artist Studio and Artist United — both linked to Lee Jung-jae — dropped by nearly 30%, with visual effects companies involved also experiencing falls, highlighting the industry's unease following the mixed reviews. For example, Variety reported significant declines: 29.84% and 29.96% respectively, alongside declines from affiliated studios such as Wysiwyg Studios and Dexter Studios, with declines reaching over 25%. Showbox, which backed the project, also saw stocks drop nearly 20%.
FlixPatrol, the OTT content ranking site, shows the second season initially dominated the charts, ranking first globally across 92 regions on Netflix, including major markets like South Korea, the United States, and Mexico, all eager to see the narrative continue. Yet, the persistent storyline of Seong Gi-hun heading back to reverse the dire competition he initially won spurred some debate over its necessity and execution.
Mixed evaluations echo through discussions of what remains thrilling about the show; just as Netflix’s announcement of the third season looms, the prospect of concluding the expansive narrative might help restore interest, but there is increasing skepticism over whether or not this next installment can rejuvenate the intrigue and excitement once driving the series narrative.
One review suggested the uneven pacing made the experience feel drawn-out and lacking the tight grip of season one. While Squid Game Season 1 showcased brutal moral dilemmas set against deceptively simple childhood games, the sequel appears to lose some of its sharp focus, leaving pivotal scenes recycled and predictable.
This complex portrayal of survival and morality deeply engaged audiences previously, amplifying the grappling with societal structure and human nature. Some feel the character of Seong Gi-hun has morphed from having layered depth and moral quandaries to embodying almost naive heroism without true evolution.
The concluding reception of Squid Game 2 signals not just the challenge of following up with groundbreaking success but questioning the inherent values within highly celebrated entertainment narratives. With the resuming third season on the horizon, one must wonder what path the creators will follow this time.
