It was the surprise South Korean hit that became Netflix’s most-watched show and after confirmation of a second season, fans are eagerly awaiting the return of Squid Game.
On Sunday, the streaming platform released a 10-second teaser trailer showing Young-hee, the show's much-recognisable motion-sensing, animatronic doll. The caption simply reads: "Red light…GREENLIGHT! Squid Game is officially coming back for season 2!"
However, no details were revealed about the coming season.
Along with the teaser trailer, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk also shared a special message in which he thanked fans for watching Squid Game and making it the most popular show ever on Netflix. "Thank you for watching and loving our show," he wrote.
He also dropped a few hints about season two, including the return of familiar characters and the introduction of new ones.
Back in March, Hwang shared that he had some ideas for the new season but hadn't officially started putting it together yet.
“There will be more great games, that’s all I can say,” Hwang said in an interview with Deadline entertainment news website. “I’m just still brainstorming and collecting the ideas for season two. I haven’t even started with the writing yet.”
So while it still might be a bit away, here’s everything we know so far about the coming season.
When will 'Squid Game' season two be released?
As of yet, no date has been revealed and likely won't be for a while. Back in November, Hwang told the Associated Press that there had been pressure and demand for another season that he felt like he “had no choice” but to continue on.
“I will say there will indeed be a second season. It’s in my head right now. I’m in the planning process currently,” he said.
Who is in the cast of the second season?
For those who binge-watched the show, they’ll know that a majority of the characters introduced over the course of the nine-episode first season have died.
Hwang has however confirmed that main character Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) will return in season two.
“I do think it’s too early to say when and how that’s going to happen. So I will promise you this, Gi-hun will come back. He will do something for the world,” Hwang told the Associated Press during a red carpet event.
However, as mentioned above, The Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) will also be back with the possibility of seeing the game recruiter (Gong Yoo) again. There will also be the introduction of Young-hee's boyfriend, Cheol-su — but in what capacity remains to be seen.
Hwang also hinted that he could find creative ways to bring back past characters such as HoYeon Jung who played Kang Sae-byeok, aka Player 067, during the Producers Guild Awards on Saturday.
“I’ll try something to bring them back to season two," Hwang said. "Let’s say maybe [Kang] has a twin sister, you’ll see."
"I could change my hair colour. Let’s do a little like plastic surgery," the actress responded.
What is ‘Squid Game’ about and why is it so popular?
The first season of the show started in September 2021 and became a global phenomenon. It was the top watched show in 94 countries, with more than 142 million households tuning it and 1.65 billion viewing hours during its first four weeks, becoming the streaming platform’s most-watched show.
The premise of Squid Game follows 456 debt-ridden and desperate people who play classic Korean children’s games in the hope of winning a cash prize — however, the losers are often executed at the end of each game. The first season followed a group of people with Lee’s Seong becoming the winner of 45.6 billion South Korean won ($38.5 million) after turning out the sole survivor of the violent competition.
After being broadcast on Netflix, the show also had its moment in pop culture as it spawned memes, had its obstacle courses re-created in real life by YouTube star Mr Beast and its player uniforms became the top searched Halloween outfit in 2021. Abu Dhabi's Korean Cultural Centre also hosted an event allowing fans to enjoy the games from the show in order to promote Korean culture.
It was also reported that the survival show struck a chord with many South Koreans, where many people are burdened by debt and escaping relative poverty can feel impossible.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ETribute%20Games%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dotemu%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENintendo%20Switch%2C%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20One%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
IF YOU GO
The flights: FlyDubai offers direct flights to Catania Airport from Dubai International Terminal 2 daily with return fares starting from Dh1,895.
The details: Access to the 2,900-metre elevation point at Mount Etna by cable car and 4x4 transport vehicle cost around €57.50 (Dh248) per adult. Entry into Teatro Greco costs €10 (Dh43). For more go to www.visitsicily.info
Where to stay: Hilton Giardini Naxos offers beachfront access and accessible to Taormina and Mount Etna. Rooms start from around €130 (Dh561) per night, including taxes.
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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UAE
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Japan
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Canada
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German intelligence warnings
- 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
- 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
- 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
THREE
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The Sky Is Pink
Director: Shonali Bose
Cast: Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Farhan Akhtar, Zaira Wasim, Rohit Saraf
Three stars
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”