Squid Game season 3: Director Hwang Dong-hyuk gives hints regarding the upcoming and final season

Squid Game season 2 premiered on Netflix on December 26, 2024, instantly capturing viewers and setting social media abuzz. As its storyline unfolded, fans were left hanging in suspense, eagerly awaiting what’s next. With the series already confirmed for three seasons, speculation about the future is at an all-time high.

In a recent interview with AP News before the release of season 2, director Hwang Dong-hyuk shared intriguing details about the upcoming third season. He revealed that season 3 will explore a timeline set 10 to 20 years in the future. This forward leap promises a darker narrative, with Hwang hinting at even greater sorrow and suffering. He revealed:

"Season 3 of 'Squid Game' will cover a story that takes place 10 to 20 years in the future. It will be darker and sadder, but at the same time, it will be quite humorous."

While an official release date has yet to be announced, the third season is expected to drop in the first half of next year. With its growing fanbase and a plot that keeps pushing boundaries, Squid Game continues to make its place in fans' hearts.

---

Season 3 of Squid Game is slated for an early release next year

The buzz around Netflix’s Squid Game continues to grow as fans eagerly await Season 3. Season 2, which debuted on December 26, 2024, reignited the intense battle between Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun), while introducing new challenges and games. The expanded narrative and suspense have captivated audiences, drawing them back into the dystopian world.

The first season of Squid Game broke records as the first Asian non-English series to win major accolades like the Primetime Emmys and Golden Globes. Assembling over 2.2 billion hours of cumulative watch time, it became one of Netflix’s most celebrated global hits.

Season 2 builds on this legacy with innovative twists, such as the OX voting mechanism, which intensifies psychological tension by forcing players to make morally complex decisions. Though the choices may seem simple, they reveal layers of conflict, keeping viewers on edge. Season 3 was also shot at the same time as season 2, and is reported to currently be in a post-production stage.

Season 2 sees the return of fan-favorites Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and Wi Ha-jun, alongside new but popular faces of Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, and Yang Dong-geun.

The new cast adds depth and complexity to the story, exploring relationships like Gi-hun’s bond with his friend Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan), the couple Myung-gi (Im Si-wan) and Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri), and the gambler Yong-sik (Yang Dong-geun) with his mother Geum-ja (Kang Ae-shim). These dynamics escalate the emotional stakes and narrative tension.

Season 2 amplifies the show’s signature blend of whimsical visuals and harsh realism. The introduction of new symbolic elements, like the OX voting system, and advanced lighting effects adds a fresh dimension to the series’ aesthetic.

Production designer Chae Kyung-sun heightens the game’s ominous atmosphere with details, while cinematographer Kim Ji-yong captures the emotional intensity of the characters with the flick of his cameras. Composer Jung Jae-il’s use of vintage and electronic sounds enhances the user experience, and upgraded costumes and makeup provide emphasis to the show’s visual storytelling.

---

For now, viewers can catch up on the intense drama of Squid Game season 2, available exclusively on Netflix.