Everything You Need to Know About Squid Game Before Season 2 Hits Netflix

It’s been three years since Squid Game took the world by storm, becoming Netflix’s most-watched series ever. The Korean drama gripped audiences with its intense survival games and dark social commentary. Now, with Season 2 premiering on December 26, it’s time for a refresher on the thrilling first season.

Whether you’re new to the series or need a quick recap, here’s everything you should remember before diving into Squid Game Season 2.

Meet the Protagonist: Seong Gi-hun (Player 456)

At the heart of Squid Game is Seong Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae. When we first meet Gi-hun, he’s a struggling father battling debt and a gambling addiction. Despite his flaws, he’s a well-meaning man who cares deeply for his daughter and elderly mother.

Gi-hun’s luck turns when he’s approached by a mysterious recruiter (played by Gong Yoo), who offers him a chance to win a life-changing fortune. Desperate to clear his debts and reclaim his life, Gi-hun agrees to participate in the deadly competition.

What Is the Squid Game?

The Squid Game is a twisted survival contest where hundreds of players compete in six rounds of children’s games. The catch? Losing means death. The grand prize: 45.6 billion won (around $32.45 million).

The games take place on a remote island, with the competition happening annually in different parts of the world. Gi-hun’s experience marks the 33rd installment of the deadly tournament.

The Workers in Pink Suits

One of the most iconic visuals from Squid Game is the masked workers dressed in pink jumpsuits. These workers oversee the competition, maintaining order and eliminating players who lose.

Circles represent maintenance workers.
Triangles are soldiers tasked with enforcing rules.
Squares serve as managers and have the highest rank among the workers.

Some workers run a side operation, illegally harvesting organs from deceased contestants to sell on the black market.

Who Is the Front Man?

The enigmatic Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun) runs the Squid Game. Initially a shadowy figure, we learn he’s Hwang In-ho, the winner of the 28th game. In-ho oversees the operation and entertains wealthy VIPs who gamble on the players’ fates.

In-ho’s connection to the game deepens when it’s revealed that his brother, detective Hwang Jun-ho (Wi Ha-joon), infiltrates the island to find him. Their emotional confrontation leaves Jun-ho shot and presumed dead—but trailers for Season 2 hint at his return.

The Origins of the Squid Game

The Squid Game was founded by a secretive group of wealthy elites in the late 1980s, led by Oh Il-nam (Oh Yeong-su). In Season 1, Il-nam disguises himself as a contestant, forming a bond with Gi-hun.

Il-nam’s true identity is revealed in the finale, where he confesses to creating the game out of boredom. Despite his death from a brain tumor, his legacy—and those involved in the game—remains a mystery heading into Season 2.

How Season 1 Ends

Gi-hun wins the Squid Game but returns home to find his mother dead. A year later, Il-nam contacts him from his deathbed, challenging Gi-hun to a final bet on humanity’s goodness. Gi-hun wins, but Il-nam dies shortly after.

Inspired by his fallen friends, Gi-hun shares his winnings with the families of Kang Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-yeon) and Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo). As Gi-hun prepares to visit his daughter in the U.S., he spots the recruiter enticing a new player. Grabbing the recruiter’s card, Gi-hun decides to stay in Seoul to confront the people behind the Squid Game.

Season 2 picks up from this dramatic cliffhanger, promising more twists, moral dilemmas, and deadly games.

Don’t miss out on the next chapter of this gripping series—stream Squid Game Season 2 on Netflix starting December 26.