“Incorporated the election system and the distinction”- Squid Game 2 director Hwang Dong-hyeok reportedly talks about the season's key themes

Netflix offered a glimpse into Squid Game season 2 in a press preview last year, according to a report by Wikitree on November 11, 2024. The report stated that the director, Hwang Dong-hyeok, shared insights on the anticipated season’s core themes and how they have approached it:

"As a satirical element, we incorporated the election system and the distinction between each other through O and X as one of the important themes of season 2," he said.

Filmed for almost a year, from July last year to June this year, Squid Game season 2 will be available on Netflix on December 26, 2024.

Known for tackling societal issues, Hwang revealed that season 2 will delve deeply into social division, pushing the boundaries even further than its groundbreaking predecessor.

---

Squid Game season 2: What to expect?

New cast and renewed tensions

Season 2 will continue the story of Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, who returns to the game seeking vengeance, facing off against Front Man, portrayed by Lee Byung-hun.

In addition to returning actors Wi Ha-joon and Gong Yoo, an array of new talent joins the cast, including Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-wook, Park Sung-hoon, and Choi Seung-hyun (TOP), among others.

On August 12, 2024, Netflix released a teaser featuring several players, without revealing their faces. The video prominently featured players 390, 388, 222, 230, and 044, among others, and showcased the return of Gi-hun.

This teaser led to widespread speculation on social media about the cast members behind these roles.

---

An enhanced OX voting system reflecting internal conflicts

Reflecting on the evolution of the show during the reported press preview, Hwang highlighted a reimagined OX voting mechanism that was initially introduced as a way for participants to exit the game in Squid Game season 1.

Hwang revealed that, unlike the first season, where participants were given the opportunity to choose OX and leave the game when it was over, the second season would have a more developed system.

At the end of every game, participants are given the opportunity to vote to leave, and they decide whether to stay or leave through this vote each time.

Hwang added:

“Depending on their O or X choices, those who decide to stay and those who choose to leave naturally align into sides, sparking tension and conflict within the group. We intentionally incorporated this as a key plot device to explore the conflict among participants.”

This enhanced voting system is designed to intensify the dynamics within the group, as players are now divided into factions based on their choices, fueling internal strife.

---

Social division as a central theme

Addressing the broader social issues reflected in Squid Game season 2, Hwang drew attention to the pervasive societal divisions he perceives today.

Hwang explained that globally, we see regional and religious conflicts, wars, generational divides, and even internal social issues such as gender and class conflicts.

In South Korea alone, he noted a generational discord, with conflicts between the younger and older generations, gender-based divisions, and longstanding regional and class-based differences.

He explained:

"We often see people calling out groups they don't belong to and think are different from them as wrong, distinguishing them with O and X, and attacking and conflicting with each other."

By incorporating this voting structure, he stated that he tried to create a parallel that reflects real-world factionalism as a critical theme in Squid Game season 2.