After three long years, fans of the Netflix sensation Squid Game were thrilled to see the return of the gripping series with Season 2. Unlike its predecessor, Season 2 has taken on a unique format, splitting what was initially intended to be one continuous narrative across two seasons. This decision was made by creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, who revealed the original plan was to encapsulate the story within approximately eight to nine episodes. "Once I finished the story, it came to over 10 episodes, which I thought was too long to contain in a single season," he explained to Variety.
Season 2 sees the return of the beloved—yet tormented—character Seong Gi-hun, who finds himself back within the deadly games with the mission to dismantle them from the inside. The season follows Gi-hun’s attempts to overthrow the sinister Front Man but takes a dramatic turn when the season concludes just as the action intensifies, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating what’s next.
A key reason for this split is according to Hwang, who found there was natural closure at the end of Season 2, perfectly setting the stage for the subsequent season. He emphasized, "I thought it was necessary to give closure as a second season and then move on with the third." Consequently, this split also provides space for Gi-hun's character arc to evolve; Hwang stated, "Gi-hun will not be the man he was in Season 2." This indicates viewers will witness the character grappling with guilt and failure as he transitions to Season 3.
With the split season structure, fans have only seen half of the intended games, raising the stakes for Season 3. Hwang hinted at the potential games to come, alluding to various wild imagery previously hinted at on the walls and settings, including ideas like 'Jack and Jill' and 'Human Chess'. The creator’s focus is clearly on the emotional and psychological impacts of the games on Gi-hun, especially after experiencing loss and failure.
Teasers for Season 3 have already generated significant buzz among the audience. Following the cliffhanger ending of Season 2, Netflix has dropped the first teaser for the upcoming season, showcasing the new doll revealed during the mid-credits scene. This giant doll, now dubbed Chul-su, stands ominously next to the familiar Young-hee doll, foreshadowing fresh and perhaps terrifying gameplay mechanics.
Netflix engaged fans on social media by introducing Chul-su with the message, "Everyone say hi to Chul-su," which caught many by surprise and added to the intrigue of what this changed dynamic means for the players involved. Hwang expressed caution about sharing too much, stating, "At this point, anything I might say is going to be a spoiler." Nevertheless, he hinted at the upcoming narrative direction of Season 3, urging viewers to speculate about Gi-hun’s state of mind after the crushing events of Season 2.
"What state is Gi-hun going to be in?" Hwang asked, pressing on the dramatic transformation awaiting the character as he faces the consequences of his prior actions. With the stakes set to be higher, as Gi-hun will no longer have the chance to assist the other players, he is compelled to watch battles and losses play out from the sidelines.
Anticipation continues to build for Squid Game Season 3, which is expected to launch roughly around summer or fall of 2025. Following Hwang's comments, fans are on the edge of their seats to see how Gi-hun's character will navigate this new terrain of despair and determination. The enduring allure of Squid Game lies not just within its survival games—but rather in how these games reflect the human spirit under pressure. This makes the forthcoming season all the more compelling.