Squid Game season 2 premieres worldwide on Netflix today: release time, cast, and plot details

Squid Game returns with season 2, bringing back fan-favorite cast members and an intense new storyline.

Get ready to step back into the high-stakes world of Squid Game—the series returns with Season 2. The hit South Korean drama premieres new episodes this week, so read on for the exact release date on Netflix.  

The next chapter follows Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), the previous winner, as he re-enters the deadly arena three years after claiming the 45.6 billion won prize. This time, however, he isn’t just aiming to survive or win money—he’s determined to dismantle the sinister game. Player 456 sets out to confront the enigmatic Front Man, the mastermind behind *Squid Game*.  

“Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 gave up going to the States and comes back with a new resolution in his mind,” the official Season 2 synopsis reads. “Gi-hun once again dives into the mysterious survival game, starting another life-or-death game with new participants gathered to win the prize of 45.6 billion won.”  

The second season features returning cast members Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Wi Ha-jun, and Gong Yoo. Joining them are new additions Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-uk, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Choi Seung-hyun, Roh Jae-won, Jo Yu-ri, and Won Ji-an.  

The first season of Squid Game achieved remarkable success, winning six Primetime Emmy Awards. Among the accolades was a groundbreaking victory for director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who became the first Asian to win Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series. Actors Lee Jung-jae and Lee You-mi also received awards for their performances.  

Season 2 of Squid Game will be released on Thursday, Dec. 26, at 3 a.m. ET / midnight PT on Netflix.

Unlike the first season, which had nine episodes, Season 2 consists of only seven episodes. The shorter length is intentional, as the series has been renewed for a third and final season, slated for release in 2025.  

Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk explained to Deadline that he wrote Seasons 2 and 3 back-to-back. During the process, he decided that Season 2, Episode 7 was the perfect point to pause before concluding the story in the final episodes.