Squid Games - Series 2

[Thaiyogamassage]

Is there a thread on this yet? I'm 3 episodes in already and it's fantastic.

I loved Squid Game S1, and actually rewatched it in the run up for s2 coming out.
I would have been happy with S1 being left as a stand alone- it works as a self contained storyline with the watcher being left to wonder about Gi-Hun’s fate. I felt that the characters were more finely drawn and felt more invested in the main 5.
I agree it’s better watching in Korean with the English subs- some of the dialogue is changed quite significantly in the English script.
I don’t really feel invested in any character apart from Gi-Hun (and I suppose In-Ho). That being said, I’ll be back later in the year. There are some wild theories flying around Reddit regarding the ending.

We are on episode 3 of season 2 and absolutely loving it!!!

I can tell when I’m into something with all my animated facial expressions 🫣😱🥴 lol X

I've just watched episode 5 and thought it was the weakest yet. A lot of expository dialogue and as I said above, I don't find all the young characters interesting, but maybe that's because I'm old! It was still good, but the pacing was slow and the tension lacking.

For me, the actual games are the least interesting part of series 2. I enjoyed the first two episodes, which were set in the 'real world', more than the ones on the island. I'm intrigued by the Korean Mads Mikkelsen, otherwise known as players 001, otherwise known as the Front Man, however.

Yes to Korean MM! 😂

Absolutely hated S2.

S1 is genius but S2 is slap-dash garbage. The first two episodes were just filler and absolute nonsense with none of it making any sense. There are endless plot holes and the characters are completely one-dimensional and boring. The games are also much worse.

The whole premise no longer makes sense. In S1 they continued playing because if they stopped they would get no money at all, but the money would be sent to the families of the deceased. In S2 they all get a lot of money and can stop any round. No one would choose to continue risking their lives if this is the case.

Also Gi-hun not speaking to his daughter and not giving her any money - instead spending money on guns and PIs and did he really not spot that 001 was the main guy again?! Why is he so obsessed in stopping the games when they all voluntarily returned to play in S1 knowing what it entailed? Same in s2. They volunteered to continue with these games knowing what they entailed (after green light/ red light). In green light/ red light Gi-hun was moving yet stayed alive. Etc etc etc. Just endless details the script writers didn't bother about in S2. It's as if it was written by AI in 5 minutes.

I'm intrigued by the Korean Mads Mikkelsen, otherwise known as players 001, otherwise known as the Front Man, however.

He's hot 🔥 and the only good thing about S2.

I'm still enjoying it but I agree with most of your points.

It was implausible enough that Gi Hun would return to the games and leave his millions literally sitting in an empty building, but I guess it was necessary for the plot. But for roughly half of the others to want to continue even when they know exactly what is involved? And when they would be free to leave with a sizable amount of cash? That doesn't make sense. I get that the show is a critique of capitalism, specifically the very harsh South Korean version thereof, and I get that these people are desperate. But still, what they are doing goes against human nature and it's hard to get past it when they are given numerous chances to leave.

I disagree about the first two episodes. They were the best for me. As I said above, I prefer the 'real world' stuff to the rehash of the games, which just doesn't have the tension and emotional pull of the first series. If they'd made it into more of a detective story rather than just more games, I think it would have been better. But I'm guessing the all important algorithms said that that is what the people want! Same with lots of younger characters.

Also, am I only one who noticed the really cheesy music in the background when the trans character was telling their story? If it were another programmed, I'd not have paid any heed, but it seemed out of place and a bit corny here. Some lazy storytelling and directing I think.

the recruiter was acted fantastically well. Can anyone recommend any more good Korean shows? I’ve watched true beauty and my ID is gangham, with my teen, and the glory by myself (y’argh, wtaf!!!) and enjoyed them all.

The recruiter, Gong Yoo, is the main character in Train to Busan, a Korean zombie film - it’s great fun, but may not be your cup of tea. I think he’s an excellent actor (and very easy on the eye 😁).

There’s a great Korean series that came out on Netflix last year called The 8 Show. It’s very like Squid Game (desperate people agree to play a game) but probably gorier. Got under my skin a bit more than SG at times too.

Really good concept though, and keeps you guessing.

It’s one series, eight episodes.

There's an NF series called 'Alice in Borderland' which also features high stakes 'games', although it's Japanese rather than Korean. It actually predates 'Squid Game' but got a resurgence in popularity after it was aired.

"Squid Game" is actually very untypical of Korean dramas, which tend to be very slick, drawn out and feature lame humour and saccharine romances. That's probably why 'Squid Game' was turned down by numerous Korean channels before NF picked it up. One K drama I did like was 'Extraordinary Attorney Woo' about an autistic female lawyer. It's cleverly done and well acted, despite some of the usual schmalziness and implausibility I've come to expect from K drama. You can find it on NF.

Alice in Borderland Episode 3 made me ugly cry to the point my then BF thought someone in the family had died.

I refused to watch any more. I just wanted violent games ending in brutal murders, I did not want to feel emotions!! 😭

What happened in the 3rd episode? It's been a few years since I watched it.

The sheep and the wolf game.

The 8 Show is a good Korean one!

I had really high hopes for S2. I even re-subscribed to Netflix just to watch it.

It was so very disappointing. I feel quite let down. The plot didn't seem relatable like S1 and finding out about some of the actors feels very wrong. Especially the real back story of 'Player 230', the rapper, who apparently acted for free to try and gain back his reputation after a conviction.

And they're already promoting S3!

I really enjoyed the series but didn't like the rapper character (played by South Korean rapper T.O.P) and the transgender character (though I liked them) felt shoehorned in to make a political/cultural statement rather than being an authentic character (especially the scene about which bathroom to use.) Felt like very obvious writing which surprises me as the writer is excellent. Maybe Neflix forced his hand there?

Excellent tension though and can't wait for the next series!

Yes, the trans character was actually quite cool but the very expository dialogue about their 'transition' did seem contrived.

Maybe now that SG is a global phenomenon, rather than written primarily for a Korean audience, NF felt a bit of box ticking was required? That said, they had a minority character, an illegal immigrant, in season one also, so maybe I'm being overly cynical.

The rapper was annoying but I guess he was supposed to be. Apparently the actor very well known in Korea and fell out of favour because of a drugs conviction, so all the scenes of him taking drugs were likely an 'in joke' of sorts. I reckon there are a lot of cultural references we don't get in SG.

I definitely felt you could fee the influence if Netflix this time around which took something away.

*influence of....sorry!

Yes I agree. Like I mentioned above, the large number of young characters seemed like something one of those 'algorithms' would come up with.

It was still better than almost everyone else on TV, but it lacked the intensity and uniqueness of season one. I guess that would be impossible to replicate. I also think that, as this series moved beyond the very narrow focus of the first one, the plot holes and implausibilities have become more difficult to ignore.

Finally managed to watch it! I loved Thanos. I liked the backstory to the actor and I discovered a new song for my playlist. Bang bang bang by Bigbang. So all in all I really enjoyed this season. Looking forward to part 2!

Absolutely loved it! And not just because front man is easy on the eye haha

I enjoyed it - I think it gets better as it goes along. I was all in by the end. Love the older mother, but hated the rapper guy - seemed like a cartoon character. Front man is both handsome and extremely sinister. It's not really a full series though as it leaves you right in the middle of the story. Roll on series 3!