But the hit Korean-language Netflix series is already facing criticism for failing to live up to the promise of its powerful original run. Media experts say it shouldn’t come as any surprise: Call it the curse of round two.

Squid Game's creator and stars break down what went into creating Season 2, a production that lasted a challenging year.

Happily for Hwang, season 2 of the South Korean dystopian drama garnered early critical acclaim, earning a 2025 Golden Globe nomination for Best Drama Series ahead of its release. The show has already hit No. 1 on Netflix, and it has an 85% Certified Fresh rating from Rotten Tomatoes.