‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Review: Red Light, Green Light Is Still the Scariest Game | Global News Avenue

Three years later, squid game Back with more deadly games. The second season has seven episodes, premiering today Netflix. By all accounts, this is as good as the show’s first outing. However, this isn’t a repeat of the first season, as Sung Ki-hoon (Lee Jae) returns to the challenge that nearly killed him.

Why does Ki-hoon (aka Player 456) come back after the violence he suffered previously? After all, he won the game and left the island a billionaire. You’d think he’d put this behind him forever and move on with his life. When it comes to the lingering effects of trauma, it’s easier said than done.

When viewers first meet Ki-hoon, he’s a withdrawn, lowlife with a gambling habit who’s struggling to pay off a massive debt. In short, he was clearly disengaged from any meaningful responsibility. In season 2, Ki-hoon becomes a different person. His sole purpose has changed from paying off his debtors to completely destroying the entire mysterious operation.

Instead of using the winnings from the game to start a new luxurious life, he spent a lot of money to find people related to the game. He wants revenge and nothing can stop him from achieving that goal.

Or, in other words Michael Corleone (“The Godfather: Part III”): Just when we thought he was out, he’s back.

This is the comment section where I warn you Squidward Season 2 Spoilers. If you haven’t seen the new episodes, watch with caution or return now.

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It’s not a spoiler that Ki Hoon returns to the game. This detail stands out in trailer. On the surface, this new installment looks a lot like the first. People who need money are forced to risk their lives playing the big money game of their childhood. A shadowy figure directs the show, leading a group of hooded and masked followers to do his bidding.

Despite the life-threatening situations the rivals find themselves in, they bond and clash. Once again we get a Lord of the Flies-esque scene showing how easily humans can be torn apart from within.

Ki-hoon’s determination to end the operation and save as many lives as possible puts him at odds with many of his rivals. His tenacity and knowledge of the game also brings him new friends, introducing viewers to a series of new faces, each with their own flaws and nuances.

As expected, Jung Jae once again delivered a stellar performance. Every actor in the massive ensemble cast excels in every aspect, from Lee Byung-hun (whose sinister return as lead singer brings some unexpected new layers to the villainous character) to Wei Ha-joon (who returns as detective Hwang-joon) – Hehe, Gong Yoo happily gets his revenge on his sociopathic recruiter character, and everyone does a fantastic job raising the emotional stakes. This is necessary.

Let’s think back to three years ago, when Squidward premiered on Netflix in 2021. At the time, the world was in lockdown and millions of people were stuck at home, looking for entertainment to numb the pain of the pandemic reality they were living through every day. The Korean drama was an instant hit and quickly became the streamer’s most-watched series ever.

Won an Emmy, made a career. Series lead Lee Jung-jae was rocked by Star Wars Disney+ series “Acolyte”. The spotlight is really welcome. But after three years of waiting, one has to wonder if the second season of Hwang Dong-hyuk’s global hit will bring the same sense of satisfaction.

Indeed. But it didn’t either. This is a good thing.

Squidward isn’t the first entertainment game to pit people against each other for financial gain. Games like Run Brothers or Battle Royale come to mind. However, the intense competition here is not a carnival ride for viewers to munch on popcorn at home. No, that’s too easy. This deadly children’s game may have occurred at the whim of a sociopathic man hiding behind a black mask, but it’s the contestants themselves who cause most of the trauma.

Season two gave everyone the proverbial get-out-of-jail-free card by letting contestants vote on whether to stay or leave. However, just like the first season, human greed overrides common sense and once again leads the series into bloodbath. Adding election themes to the mix creates a violent polarity that feels a little too close to home, given our current reality.

Squidward games have changed with the times just enough to keep it interesting. It’s scary and funny, heartfelt and dramatic. Like Ki-hoon, audiences around the world are already familiar with the bloody game – and let’s be honest, Red Light, Green Light is still the scariest game around. Therefore, in order to grab our attention, the story needs to move to a new stage.

The frontman and his followers screwed up in season one. Right now, Squid Game seems to be in its exploratory phase, and I can’t wait to see what happens next.