Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has promised the Netflix show's "deadly games" will be even more exciting in season two of the K-drama.
During an exclusive interview with Digital Spy, the showrunner teased never-before-seen games for the thriller's second outing.
"[These are] games that I've actually played growing up," Hwang shared, before "guaranteeing" that the games would be "even more intriguing" in comparison to season one, "both visually and storyline-wise".
While Hwang said he didn't want to give too much away, he did confirm the return of oversized motion-sensing doll Young-hee from Squid Game season one's 'Red-Light-Green-Light' challenge with "her deadly game" – setting the brutal tone for the events to come.
Young-hee was also featured in the season two teaser trailer, with Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) making an unsuccessful attempt to spare the new crop of unsuspecting contestants from death.
Away from the games, Hwang also teased a pivotal shift in narrative direction.
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Of Gi-hun's upcoming season two trajectory, he told Digital Spy: "The main axis of the storyline is going to be the clash between Gi-hun with these motives [to stop the games] and In-ho (Lee Byung-hun), who wants to stop Gi-hun from stopping the game.
"So I think focusing on that main storyline is going to help you get a great viewing experience."
Speaking further about Gi-hun's motives, Hwang also recently told The Hollywood Reporter: "I was thinking about Gi-hun's unfinished quest… and about the Matrix where Neo is given the option of the blue or red pill.
"He could have just lived happily on, but he chooses to take the pill where he becomes aware of the Matrix and struggles to get away from it."
Hwang has also opened up about the pressure he feels concerning Squid Game season two.
"Whenever I work on a project, I have to go the route that scares me because it motivates me so much more," he told The Hollywood Reporter. "It equips me with the drive to overcome that fear."
He elaborated further, saying: "Season two of Squid Game is probably the project that gives me the most anxiety.
"Seeing it from that angle, it's going to be either my biggest success ever or the biggest failure."
Squid Game season 2 drops on Netflix on December 26. Season 1 and reality show spin-off Squid Game: The Challenge are available to stream on the service now.
TV writer, Digital Spy Janet completed her Masters degree in Magazine Journalism in 2013 and has continued to grow professionally within the industry ever since. For six years she honed her analytical reviewing skills at the Good Housekeeping institute eventually becoming Acting Head of Food testing. She also freelanced in the field of film and TV journalism from 2013-2020, when she interviewed A-List stars such as Samuel L Jackson, Colin Firth and Scarlett Johansson. In 2021 she joined Digital Spy as TV writer where she gets to delve into more of what she loves, watching copious amounts of telly all in the name of work. Since taking on the role she has conducted red carpet interviews with the cast of Bridgerton, covered the BAFTAs and been interviewed by BBC Radio and London Live. In her spare time she also moonlights as a published author, the book Gothic Angel.
