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Promotional image for the second season of “Squid Game” (provided by Netflix)

Plans have been officially finalized for a second season of “Squid Game,” the Korean streaming show that enjoyed massive popularity worldwide last year.

The global online video streaming service Netflix made the announcement Monday through its official social media account, sharing a message from director Hwang Dong-hyuk declaring that a “whole new round” is coming.

“Gi-hun returns. The Front Man returns,” Hwang wrote.

“The man in the suit with ddakji might be back. You’ll also be introduced to Young-hee’s boyfriend, Cheol-su,” he continued.

“Join us once more for a whole new round,” he said.

“Gi-hun” is the name of the protagonist played by Lee Jung-jae who emerged as the final winner in the first season, while the Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun) refers to the man running the game. The “man in the suit with ddakji” is a cameo role by Gong Yoo as a character who recruits participants for the game. “Yeong-hee” is the name of a large doll that appeared in the series’ first game of “Red Light, Green Light.”

“It took 12 years to bring the first season of ‘Squid Game’ to life last year. But it took 12 days for ‘Squid Game’ to become the most popular Netflix series ever,” Hwang wrote in a message expressing thanks to the show’s viewers.

In a previous interview with the foreign press, Hwang shared his goal of having the second season premiere on Halloween in 2024.

“Squid Game” is a show about a bizarre survival game where participants put their lives on the line to win a prize of 45.6 billion won. It became a global sensation last year, emerging as Netflix’s single most popular series to date.

By Oh Seung-hun, staff reporter

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