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A whole season to set up for a finale
I wasn't really planning on watching s2 of Squid Game, mostly because I thought the open ending of s1 was satisfactory. I ended up giving it a try and while it had me watching all the episodes back to back to figure out what happened, I was left unsatisfied by the end of it. This review will contain spoilers from here out!I thought that the concept of Gihun returning to the games to shut it down was great - the first two episodes had me excited to see the plan unfold, and I was hopeful that things would work out. Going into this season, I knew that they were already planning a third, so I didn't expect everything to be wrapped up. However, the first section of the games was frankly underwhelming, with none of the deaths even feeling that meaningful. We spent less time with the characters and didn't get much backstory on them, so it felt like I was less invested than I was with s1. Also, I felt like I was constantly waiting for this big plan of ending the games and it took so long for it to happen. Instead, we just watched Gihun live through another set of games and learn the same lesson that he did in s1: people's greed is not stopped by reason. As I reached the end of the series, I could tell it was going to end on a cliffhanger, and it didn't even end in a good spot! It really felt like this entire season was just to set up for the next. The games felt less intense, the deaths less tragic, and the plot to stop them was nearly nonexistent. Frankly, I wish I waited to watch this until s3 came out so I could just watch them both back to back.
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Disappointing, had a lot of questions.
I think this series was just built on what had made season 1 successful, but the show lost it's spark. Everything gets repetitive and I was hoping to see some change. Yes, there were new characters and character development but I could clearly see exactly which season 1 character they were shadowing, which made them lose their individuality.I was most disappointed by how the show ended. There was no proper closing and felt like it was rushed. Nothing was shown about what happened to the search team, what happened to 456, what happened to the other players, or why there was organ harvesting again. I had so many questions. The last episode was just gun violence and nothing special. The show had so much potential but with each episode, the standard kept dropping. I feel like if they took more time and made a few more episodes, the ending would have been much better. Also the whole X and O thing felt weird and out of place for some reason.
Although there were many areas of improvement in terms of storyline, the casting was absolutely perfect. Every single actor portrayed their character and story so well. Although there wasn't must screen time, I really enjoyed watching Jo Yuri's performance. As someone who watches her perform on stage, this was very different and exciting.
The soundtrack was also very well done. Every single track fit the scene perfectly. The new sets and props were very impressive to see, especially the upscaled stair room and the mingle game room. I also really enjoyed the cinematography.
Overall, the entire show was just to attempt to reacted the hype that season 1 had, but I think this entire show and concept is dead and Netflix can never make the series as popular as season 1 was back when it came out.
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maybe it's time to wrap it up?!
let me start off with a short rant about this season's writing. this will be an unpopular opinion but most of the new characters left me cold (since they were the replicas of season 1 characters), and so did their deaths. also, they decided to keep junho around but didn't know what to do with him, so every scene we got of him was him searching for the games' location (some of these scenes were insane fillers). the glimmering light of season 2's writing was the introduction of noeul, and complexity of guards. the introduction of new characters was boring to watch. i would have rather learned about their stories during the game. one thing i hoped for was learning more about HIH's background since he's also a previous winner (otherwise, it's hard to explain why he was organizing games in the first place). he even got a replacement, but we have no clue who that is. the cliff hanger of this season was so underwhelming. netflix harassed the hell out of SQ's screenwriter for THIS. overall, acting was great and song choices were fitting. however, i felt like this could've been a final season.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
waited years for…that?
i thought people who said season 2 would be a flop were wrong but hell na, they were right. i was so excited, i wouldn’t have minded if they left things with a cliffhanger but atleast make the cliffhanger better???what the HELL was that ending. it felt like it ended mid episode.
its clear season 2 was there just for season 3. but seriously. they hyped this up so much and its literally just season 1 but bad. sigh. SIGH.
the only reason im rating it 6 which is still pretty high, is because atleast the games were entertaining to watch still, and the characters were much more likable than in season 1. im just pissed they ended up killing almost every character i liked. but oh well, i guess its not much of a surprise lol..
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Slightly..disappointing
I've waited for it since the previous season finished.The storyline somewhat repeats itself (granted that it's the same game), like the relationship MC has with both 001s.
So many characters got added, but didn't get fleshed out enough (i.e. 011). For 095's death scene I felt bad, but not nearly enough as bad as I had felt for Ali's (still hurts my heart to this day The games felt novel and really interesting, I liked the new characters and how their relationships developed. (Absolutely despised TOP's character, he's a menace... TT)
With the outside intervention and frontman, I'm intrigued to see where the next season is going!
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An easy binge watch
I had liked S1 until they introduced the worst foreign actors and voiceovers who played the wealthy sponsors of the game. That ruined the entire season for me by making the show laughable and stupid. S2 eliminated that problem so in a way I did enjoy this more than S1, but it did lack in a lot of ways compared to S1.LIKES:
1) The peek into the staff of squid game. I liked the introduction of Park Gyu Young's character. We get to see a glimpse of the people behind the mask
2) Gong Yoo's character expansion. Those were some fun scenes
3) The Front Man's involvement - that kept the plot interesting
4) The carousel game - I liked the intensity in that game which brought out people's true traits
5) The feisty mother character player 149 - she adds some heart amongst the greed
6) TOP's weird druggie character - while I don't like the bully, I did find his tripped out moments funny
DISLIKES:
1) The intensity didn't feel as strong as S1 esp with the games except for the carousel game
2) The weird shift in the middle eps where the tone felt almost comical instead of seriously intense. It was odd and disruptive to the momentum
3) Wi Ha Jun's whole arc felt very lackluster. His storyline didn't really add to the story at all.
4) The supporting characters development felt underwhelming and underdeveloped.
5) The casting of more recognizable faces. I actually liked how S1 had only a few main stars and the rest were not that famous. In my mind, it made the characters a little more believable. S2, it took me longer to believe the acting from the recognizable faces
Overall though, this was an easy binge watch that can be done in a day. Just note, that this is only Part 1 and not a complete story. Season 3 will be Part 2 and will hopefully give us all the answers we need.
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STAR STUDDED, YET UNDERUSED
this series cast a lot of big-name actors, yet their characters were very underdeveloped, leading to meaningless deaths (Lee Jin Wook’s character, for instance). i didn’t care about any of the characters, which shows just how disconnected they felt. there were also too many annoying, shallow characters this season.the story was extremely underwhelming. the beginning was super slow, although it was interesting to see more of Gong Yoo’s character in episode 1. compared to season 1, there seemed to be more dialogue between characters when they were not in game, but somehow it felt boring and lacked anything heartfelt. i skipped many scenes from the last two episodes and didn’t miss any important information. by the end of the series, i had even forgotten about the cop still out at sea, trying to locate and get into the island where the game was held.
it was nice to see glimpses of the soldiers’ perspectives. i’m sure they’ll explore more of that in the next season.
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good plot twists but lame strategy..?
As usual like all other season 2 shows, this season focuses more on the backstories and the crossfire moments between the two parties. They were things the show did well and things that were not so good…Firstly, there were some really good plot twists. Number 11, number 001 and the initial battle strategy (won’t go into details). The one point that made this s2 different from other shows and their s2, there was some unexpected moments, so it was not all so predictable. I liked the part where they showed the life of the guards as well. They were also just people desperate for money.
If you watch carefully, they dropped so many "hints" or sneak peaks but never covered it in this season...to be honest, having multiple seasons doesnt always mean a good thing. Dragging for so long can get repetitive. Like i felt there were so many filler scenes which they just had to add.
However, the games…were really quite boring. They spent a lot of time on the pre-game and post game situations which showing once is enough but they showed it so many times it got draggy. This time it isn’t has gruesome as last time its very mild actually.
I honestly, did not expect him to reveal his identity that fast which I thought was very lame cause I expected him to have a better plan since he’s been doing this for 2 years…
There wasn’t any memorable character this time it was very lead focused. They spend so long introducing so many new characters but gave then really little screentime in the actual situation.
The plot twists kinda saved the show. The ending was....not good as well. To leave an opening for S3 they of course couldn't just end everything so...
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kinda felt like a mat being laid out for season3 that's to come in 2025
felt like a filler season for S3. kinda skipped through it alot and didnt get attacged to the characters as much as season1. i miss sae byeok, ali and others. anyways, this one really felt like a bridge that'll lead us up to S3 storyline. couldve been way better. alot of things from last season were repeated like the characters had similar nature to the old characters. also, the front man coming down to play himself is so strange, like why did he want to come all the way to play when he couldve just watched?also, a really big cliffhanger ending as they killed the one single person i liked out of all the new players, Jung bae. i felt like he was the past warmhearted and kind personality of Gi hun before he won the game.
Also, the recruiter played by Gong yoo was a total psycopath and a nutjob. like the bread scene, the russian roulette and the way he killed himself. also this little detail that they included of the recruiter being a scared for a few secs before be actually killed himself, this showed that he was actually human but this game twisted him up to such extent that theres no coming back from it now.
Also, the acting was top notch, the cast was amazing!! Hyun-ju was so badass. Park Sung hoon really popped off in this one!! Only issue is that the season could be longer and a better ending could've been given.
Also, the rebellion was useless and stupid. like the people with guns were only 7-8, and the soldiers are more than the total players. easily about 100-200 soldiers could be there even more I guess. idrk what were they thinking becoming the hero with limited ammo.
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A Fun Ride with Missed Opportunities
Was it bad?? No. Was it that good?? Not exactly. Was it underwhelming?? Kind of.I wont lie, i enjoyed this season of Squid Game but it still felt underwhelming considering the immense hype surrounding it. This was certainly the best sequel Netflix Korea has produced recently especially after the disappointing Sweet Home 2, Gyeongseong Creature 2 and others. However there are quite a few reasons why it left me feeling unsatisfied.
While it didnt reach the heights of Season 1, it was engaging enough to keep me watching till the end.
Here is what i liked and disliked about it:
What I Liked:
1. Front Man’s Direct Involvement in the Game:
I appreciated Lee Byung hun’s larger role in this season. After his brief cameo in S1, it was great to see him step into a main role. Having him directly participate in the games added much needed tension and intrigue.
2. Hyun Joo & Player 149 – The Heart of the Show:
Park Sung hoon and Kang Ae shim absolutely stole the spotlight. Their characters were well written with depth and emotional weight making them easy to root for. They were undeniably the standouts of the season.
3. Gong Yoo’s Extended Cameo in Episode 1:
I loved Gong Yoo’s performance in the first episode. His charismatic yet paychpathic portrayal left a lasting impression. Honestly his psychopathic energy made me wish he would star in a serial killer thriller. I also hoped his character would stick around longer, at least for a few episodes in S3.
4. New Games:
While most of the new games werent as thrilling, the carousel game in Episode 6 stood out. I appreciate the effort to introduce fresh challenges but i felt they lacked the intensity and depth of S1’s games. A bit more focus and creativity could have elevated them further.
5. Favorite Episodes - E1 & E6:
Although some found Episode 1 slow, i personally enjoyed it because of Gong Yoo. His presence carried the episode. Episode 6, featuring the brutal carousel game was another highlight for me.
6. Solid Acting Across the Board:
Even though several characters were underutilized, the entire cast gave strong performances.
What I Disliked:
1. Wasted Potential of Big Actors:
This was one of my biggest frustrations. Talents like Im Si wan, Kang Ha neul and others were severely underused. This seems to be a recurring issue with Netflix’s survival thrillers, bringing in big names for secondary roles without giving them enough material to shine.
While it wasnt as bad as Sweet Home 2, it still felt disappointing. Some annoying side characters received more screen time, while stronger actors were left with little to do. Im holding out hope that S3 will give these characters the attention they deserve.
2. Slow Start:
Despite enjoying Episode 1, i cant ignore how much the story dragged into Episode 2. I felt the content of both episodes could have been condensed into one allowing the games to start sooner in Episode 3.
3. Flat New Characters (Except Hyun Joo & 149):
Most of the new cast members felt one dimensional. It was hard to connect with them, they were just there. Hyun Joo and Player 149 were the only exceptions.
4. Annoying Characters Getting More Screen Time:
Some characters who should have been explored further were sidelined, while others, like Thanos were unnecessarily prominent. Lee Jin wook’s character arc felt incomplete and since he died in S2, there is no room for his development in S3. This imbalance was frustrating.
5. Gi hun & Front Man Felt Bland:
Gi hun occasionally came across as cringey, while the Front Man’s storyline lacked the twists we saw in S1. The big reveal about the old man in the first season packed a punch but there was nothing surprising about the Front Man here.
6. Lack of Game Exploration:
While the carousel game stood out, the others felt rushed and underdeveloped. S1’s games were meticulously crafted and filled with tension but S2 lacked that same level of care, possibly because more main characters survived diminishing the stakes.
7. Missing Intensity & Seriousness:
The emotional weight and tension of S1 were noticeably absent. The sense of dread when characters faced death just wasnt there.
Overall Thoughts:
I did enjoy S2, it was engaging for the most part and i watched it from start to finish with interest. However compared to the S1, it felt underwhelming. Still it far exceeded Sweet Home 2 and other recent disappointments.
Im hoping S3 will bring back the intensity and depth that made the first season what it is today.
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Squid Game Season 2 hits on the red light.
Everyone knew that Squid Game was the talk of the town when it first aired, taking the world by storm. Hundreds of millions of people streamed it on Netflix, setting an all-time high record that no show has beaten to this day. So, when the second season was announced shortly after the first one ended, people were ecstatic, eager to have their questions answered when it finally aired.Just to preface this "review," I personally did not like the first season. I understood why people found it fresh concept-wise, but for someone who has been consuming the "death game" genre for years, the idea was nothing original. It just boiled down to how the creators would put their own spin on it.
My main issue with the first season was its inconsistent writing. You could tell the writer had incredible ideas but struggled to integrate them smoothly into the plot. There were also unnecessary elements that dragged the show longer than necessary (one example being Il-Nam's ten-minute monologue at the end of the season).
That said, I did appreciate the character dynamics and the overall simplicity of the story. I genuinely believe that simplicity was the key factor in its success, especially considering Squid Game served as many people's first experience of the "death game" genre.
When the second season dropped during the holiday season, I decided to give it another chance. I thought perhaps I had been too harsh on the first season, as I only rated it two stars. Maybe the holiday spirit would help me enjoy the new season more.
Trust me, I really wanted to like it. I truly did. I focused on a few good things during the first two episodes, but as time passed, I realized that the one thing I genuinely liked about the first season—its memorable characters—was stripped off from this one.
Although the second season introduced a plethora of new characters, none of them were memorable. They lacked depth, making them utterly forgettable. To be honest, I couldn’t even remember a single name by the time it ended.
Plot-wise, it felt as though the creators sacrificed the show’s core focus to expand the narrative. This season felt rushed, with too many things happening at once, which negatively impacted both the quality of the storyline and the development of the characters.
As for the games, while most were new, they were colorful like those in the first season but lacked the shock factor that made the first season interesting.
Squid Game, like many other series bearing the "second season curse," unfortunately wasn’t safe from landing on the red light. I attribute much of this to the abrupt, and unfulfilling season finale. But who knows? Perhaps what this season lacked might become the strongest element of the next.
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I expected a lot more than this
I was hoping that it could be as thrilling as the first one. But I was wrong, the games were somehow easier and leaner. Gihun is stupid and naive, no character development for him. He should have been cleverer, using the money he got for better resources and not impulsively joined the games again.The other characters carried the show, Hyunju, the son and the mother, JungBae, the Jo YuRi and Im Siwan's characters and Kang Haneul's.
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