“We have to take to the streets” — Squid Game 2 director-creator Hwang Dong-hyuk shares his views on South Korea’s protest against martial law

Hwang Dong-hyuk, the acclaimed creator and director of Squid Game 2, recently spoke out on South Korea’s political turmoil, linking his series’ themes to real-life struggles. During a press event for Squid Game 2, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Hwang Dong-hyuk addressed the country’s recent protests against President Yoon Suk-yeol’s imposition of martial law.

The martial law, declared on December 3, 2024, at 11 pm by President Yoon Suk-yeol, was met with widespread backlash, with citizens decrying its heavy-handed suppression of political dissent and media freedom. Hwang Dong-hyuk argued that the government must prioritize accountability and democracy, stating,

“We have to take to the streets. Whether it’s by impeachment or stepping down himself, the person responsible for declaring martial law has to take responsibility. I hope that we can return to a state of stability and that the Korean people can enjoy a festive holiday season as the year comes to an end — the people deserve to have that returned to them.”

He criticized the government’s actions, calling for President Yoon Suk-yeol to take responsibility, including impeachment. Hwang Dong-hyuk emphasized that Squid Game always reflected societal inequalities and injustices. He drew parallels between the series’ dystopian themes and South Korea’s current political climate.

“Season two draws a lot of parallels with what we are witnessing in the world right now. And with a heavy heart, I feel that watching the second season of Squid Game is not going to be very different from watching the news — and that’s how I want you take it.”

---

What to expect in Squid Game 2: Themes, plot, and cast

Set to premiere on December 26, 2024, Squid Game 2 continues to explore social and economic disparities through the lens of its infamous death games. Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed that the new season will delve deeper into themes of collective action and individual responsibility, asking whether people have the power to drive societal change.

Squid Game 2 introduces new games that require greater cooperation among contestants, contrasting with the cutthroat nature of season 1. Hwang Dong-hyuk explained that these shifting dynamics will highlight the potential for unity in the face of adversity.

Returning cast members include:

• Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun, the winner of the first Squid Game; now determined to uncover the truth behind the organization.
• Lee Byung-hun as the Front Man whose mysterious motivations remain central to the plot.
• Wi Ha-joon as Detective Hwang Jun-ho and the brother of the Front Man, who narrowly escaped death in season 1.

New faces joining the cast of Squid Game 2 include:

• Park Gyu-young as No-eul, a North Korean defector and former soldier awaiting to get reunited with her daughter.
• Im Si-wan as Player 333, Myung-gi, a YouTuber who scams his subscribers through crypto.
• Kang Ha-neul as Player No. 388, Dae-ho, an ex-Marine soldier with a sinister cunning side to him.
• Park Sung-hoon as Player 120, a transgender woman in urgent need of money for her surgery.
• Lee Jin-uk as Player 246, Gyeong-seok, a single father in desperate need of money for his daughter’s blood cancer treatment.
• BIGBANG’s T.O.P as Thanos, Player 230, a retired rapper who falls prey to Myung-gi’s crypto investment fraud.
• Jo Yu-ri as Jun-hee, Player 222, Myung-gi’s ex-girlfriend and a victim of his crypto investment scam.

Squid Game 2 picks up after Gi-hun decides to confront the creators of the Squid Game. With new contestants lured into the deadly competition, the games promise to be more complex and psychologically intense than ever, as per the official season 2 trailer.

As alliances form and betrayals unfold, Gi-hun’s quest to dismantle the system forces him to confront the darker aspects of human nature. The official trailer for Squid Game 2 teases high-stakes drama, innovative new games, and a darker tone. The series has also been confirmed for a third season, which will conclude the story.

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed that seasons 2 and 3 were supposed to be a single narrative, but they split it to allow for deeper storytelling and audience engagement.

---

Meanwhile, mass protests in South Korea continue, fueled by demands for President Yoon Suk-yeol’s resignation. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s Squid Game 2 serves as both entertainment and a stark reflection of South Korea’s ongoing societal struggles.