Squid Game Season 2- Episodes 1-7
What, you thought the games were over? Think again! Squid Game 2 bursts back onto our screens with a vengeance, and it’s clear from the get-go that this season is determined to outdo its predecessor. Packed with jaw-dropping twists, eccentric new characters, and even more brutal games, the stakes have never been higher. As someone who adored the first season and thought it lived up to every ounce of its hype, I had sky-high expectations for the sequel. And from the very first moments of Ki-hoon’s electrifying reunion with the enigmatic Salesman, the show promises to deliver.
A Deadly Reunion
The episode opens with SUNG KI-HOON (Lee Jung-jae) finally confronting the Salesman (Gong Yoo) in a heart-stopping game of Russian Roulette. Just when you think one might best the other, the Salesman shockingly turns the gun on himself—only for police officer HWANG JUN-HO (Wie Ha-joon) to burst onto the scene. Hesitant allies at first, Ki-hoon and Jun-ho quickly recognize their shared desire to dismantle the games from within. But Jun-ho, holding back the crucial detail that his brother In-ho (Lee Byung-heon) is the Front Man, makes the first of many poor decisions.
The duo teams up with loan shark CHOI WOOK-SEOK (Jeon Suk-ho) and CAPTAIN PARK (Oh Dal-soo), a weathered fisherman who once saved Jun-ho’s life. Together, they plot to ambush the Front Man, only to be outsmarted by the game developers at every turn. In a tense negotiation through a piggy-bank-shaped speaker, Ki-hoon boldly demands to be placed in the next round of games.
Meet the New Players (and Soldiers)
The story shifts to a fresh batch of down-on-their-luck characters who are bound for the games. Enter KANG NO-EUL (Park Kyu-young), a North Korean defector desperate to reunite with her child. While No-eul seems poised to join the players, the show flips the script—she’s revealed as a sharp-shooting pink soldier who’s been part of the games for years.
Meanwhile, the returning Ki-hoon wakes up in familiar territory: the eerie playground of Red Light, Green Light. His warnings about the deadly stakes fall on deaf ears until players witness the grisly truth. Ki-hoon steps into a leadership role, determined to guide as many to safety as possible. This season leans into its trademark themes of survival and human greed but spices things up with a twist—players can now vote after each game to leave or stay, splitting the prize money if they quit.
Familiar Parallels, New Dynamics
The new cast includes characters who parallel Season 1 favorites, like PARK JUNG-BAE (Lee Seo-hwan), Ki-hoon’s gambling buddy, and KANG DAE-HO (Kang Haneul), a fiercely loyal sidekick. But the fresh dynamics really shine, especially the mother-son duo JANG GEUM-JA (Kang Ae-shim) and PARK YONG-SHIK (Yang Dong-geun), and the broken-up couple KIM JUN-HEE (Jo Yu-ri) and LEE MYUNG-KI (Im Shi-wan). Standouts include CHO HYUN-JOO (Park Sung-hoon), a kind yet resilient transgender woman, and THANOS (TOP), an over-the-top rapper who is impossible not to hate (in the best way).
Blood Bonds and Betrayal
The relationships deepen during the second game, a chaotic six-legged race packed with mini-games. It’s heartwarming to see bonds form, but this is Squid Game—you know it won’t last. The Front Man, now more enigmatic than ever, manipulates Ki-hoon and the others, blurring the line between ally and adversary. In a brutal game of Mingle, reminiscent of musical chairs, the Front Man saves Jung-bae’s life in a shocking moment, only to exploit it later.
As the games intensify, the players’ greed takes center stage. Many choose to stay and fight, despite the horrors they’ve witnessed. Ki-hoon, grappling with his own moral compromises, begins to lose his footing. His willingness to use a nighttime attack as a distraction for his plan disappoints not just his allies but the Front Man himself, who seems almost disheartened by Ki-hoon’s descent.
The Shocking Finale
The finale explodes into a frenzied shootout as Ki-hoon and his team stage an ambitious, though poorly executed, raid to take down the control room. Chaos ensues, and the cost is devastating. In a gut-wrenching twist, the Front Man (now fully masked and back in control) executes Jung-bae right in front of Ki-hoon, delivering the ultimate emotional blow. The realization that every calculated move—from saving Jung-bae in Mingle to this climactic moment—was part of the Front Man’s master plan is a game-changer. It’s the ultimate checkmate. Game over.
DramaZen's Opinion
Episode 1: "The Games Begin Again"
From the moment the Salesman reappeared, I was hooked. Ki-hoon’s reunion with him was chilling and nostalgic, setting the stage for the chaos ahead. The twists came fast, especially when the Salesman’s fate took a shocking turn. Seeing Jun-ho and Ki-hoon team up gave me hope, but their mistrust and secrets were frustrating in the best way. A strong, tense start!
Episode 2: "Familiar Faces, New Horrors"
I was on the edge of my seat when Ki-hoon woke up back in the games. The return of Red Light, Green Light felt cruelly nostalgic but so effective. The introduction of No-eul as a pink soldier caught me completely off guard—I loved her sharp, no-nonsense vibe. Ki-hoon stepping up as a leader gave me chills, but the new voting twist made me wonder how greed would test everyone.
Episode 3: "Allies and Enemies"
This was the emotional heart of the season for me. The new players’ backstories—especially No-eul’s and the mother-son duo—had me tearing up. The dynamic between Hyun-joo and Thanos brought some unexpected levity, even as the stakes grew. Watching alliances form during the six-legged race was heartwarming, but it only made me dread the inevitable betrayals.
Episode 4: "Mingle with Madness"
The merry-go-round game was mesmerizing. I couldn’t take my eyes off the tension between Ki-hoon and the Front Man, and when Jung-bae’s life was saved, I thought, “What’s the catch?” The way the players bonded during their downtime was bittersweet—I loved their camaraderie but hated knowing it wouldn’t last. By the end, I was emotionally drained but couldn’t stop watching.
Episode 5: "Descent into Chaos"
This episode was brutal. The bedtime attack left me horrified, especially since Ki-hoon saw it as an opportunity. His moral compromises felt so human but so disappointing. Seeing the Front Man almost disappointed in Ki-hoon’s choices made me question everything about their strange dynamic. I couldn’t stop thinking about how greed drives people to their worst, even in the face of death.
Episode 6: "Bonds Break and Blood Spills"
This was one of the most heartbreaking episodes. The bonds we’ve grown to love begin to shatter as the games pit friends against one another. When the Front Man started manipulating Ki-hoon emotionally, I wanted to scream at the screen. The reveal of In-ho faking his death to regain power was a gut-punch, and I felt like we were hurtling toward disaster.
Episode 7: "Game Over"
The shootout was pure chaos, and Ki-hoon’s desperation to reach the control room was palpable. But his lack of a solid plan was maddening. Watching Jung-bae’s execution felt like my heart was ripped out, and the realization that the Front Man orchestrated it all was devastating. By the end, I was emotionally wrecked, angry at the injustice but so invested in what’s to come.
Squid Game 2 is an emotional rollercoaster that left me questioning morality, greed, and trust at every turn. The characters are complex and deeply human, making their betrayals and sacrifices hit even harder. As a fan of the first season, I loved how the sequel built on its themes while bringing fresh twists. It’s brutal, shocking, and completely addictive. Bring on the finale (Season 3)—I’m not ready, but I need to see how this all ends!
