Squid Gamecreator Hwang Dong-hyuk has explained why season 2 of the survival thriller show is shorter than season 1, and what led to the decision for a smaller episode count.Squid Gameseason 2will see the return of Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) as he becomes a contestant once more, intent on confronting its masked Front Man, Hwang In-ho (Lee Byung-hun), and stopping the games for good. Season 2 arrives on June 27, 2025, while season 3 ends the show next year. However, while season 1 consisted of nine episodes, season 2 only has seven episodes in total.
Speaking withDeadline, Hwang explained thatSquid Gameseason 2 has less episodes than season 1 because of the events that transpireat the end of the season. The show’s creator revealed that he wrote seasons 2 and 3 back-to-back, and, during the process, decided season 2, episode 7 was the best break point before the final episodes. Check out what Hwang had to say about the shorter season below:
I wrote seasons two and three at the same time, and we were in production for both simultaneously, and currently we are in the post-production process for Season 3. When I was writing the script for the two seasons, I felt like there was a big turning point or an inflection point, and that was the end of episode seven, so I thought that it would do it justice to have a separate season after that. That’s why I had first seven episodes as Season 2 and then the rest of Season 3.
What Hwang’s Explanation Means For Squid Game Season 2
Season 2, Episode 7 Will Be A Major Turning Point
Gi-hun was one of the few survivingcharacters inSquid Gameseason 1, having won the game, but not willing to touch his earnings for a year because of the survivor’s guilt he felt. Now,he’ll be using what he didn’t give to Sang-woo’s mother and Sae-byeok’s brother to investigate the Front Manand uncover the truth about the games. While he’ll be going back in as a contestant, Hwang’s explanation about the episode count indicates some very different events will play out, leading into whatever the final season holds.
Squid Game’s 3-Season Tease Spoils At Least One Part Of Season 2’s Story
The creator of Squid Games has confirmed that the show will conclude with season 3, and an added tidbit spoils at least part of season 2’s ending.
The shorter episode count could indicate a faster pace during season 2,quickly resolving Gi-hun’s role in the second batch of games to push forward into the finale. This could involve anything from him winning the games, to the games ending early because of his interference with them. SinceNetflix is developing an AmericanSquid Gamefrom David Fincher, there could be some ties to that as well, with season 1 hinting the games are a worldwide phenomenon. With plenty of directions the show could go in, any of these ideas are possible explanations for season 2 being shortened.
Our Take On Why Squid Game Season 2 Is Shorter Than Season 1
Hwang’s Narrative Is An Important Factor
Although two less episodes inSquid Gameseason 2 is slightly disappointing, Hwang’s explanation emphasizes the narrative importance of the decision. By stopping the story at a point where it makes sense to transition into season 3, the upcoming episodes will feel like a full chapter within the larger narrative. A longer season could leave viewers in a disappointing spot, or ruin the presentation by stretching out the story too much. A more concise season will likely make sense once the episodes drop at the end of the year.
Squid Gameremains the most popular non-English TV show on Netflix, boasting 2.2 billion hours viewed across 265.2 million viewers.
Squid Game
Cast
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
