“The distinction and division among people, that’s an important theme of Season 2.” (Director Hwang Dong-hyuk) Netflix unveiled part of the set for ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 (directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk) to the press on December 7th last year in Daejeon.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk and art director Chae Kyung-sun were present. Two iconic sets of ‘Squid Game’ were revealed. The more sophisticated set of Season 2, the story, new participants, new game system, mise-en-scène, and hidden messages were all unveiled. A striking phrase caught attention. A Latin phrase was found on the wallpaper of a large dormitory revealed at the end.
The catchphrase ‘hodie mihi, cras tibi’ was hidden between metal beds. It means ‘Today me, tomorrow you’ in Korean. Literally, it translates to ‘Today I have entered as a coffin, but tomorrow you will enter as one.’ What is the hidden meaning behind this powerful phrase?
◆ New Faces and Relationships
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said, “My work has created buzz before, but it’s the first time it’s received worldwide attention even before being made. It feels very strange, awkward, and pressuring.” Season 2 begins with ‘Seong Gi-hun’ (played by Lee Jung-jae) returning to the game.
He confronts the Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun). Director Hwang focused on a new narrative as well. “Gi-hun returns to the game to meet new people, and the main content is about his efforts to achieve what he wants with them.” Many new faces appear. Director Hwang stated, “Younger participants than those in Season 1 will appear.
Participants of various generations, ages, and genders will reveal themselves.” He also hinted at relationships. “In Season 1, Gi-hun and Sang-woo were revealed to be childhood neighborhood friends. In Season 2, there are more participants with personal relationships.”
◆ OX, and Division
Changes were made in the game system. “In Season 2, at the end of each game, a chance is given. A vote determines whether they stay or leave each time.” “Depending on whether they choose O or X, groups are divided. It introduces an element of conflict among them, which was incorporated into Season 2.” It was a special device planted by Director Hwang.
The satirical message about conflicts prevalent in society was embedded in the O, X system. He introduced it as “a satirical element.” “There’s a lot of division these days. Globally, there are regional, religious conflicts, and wars. Also, conflicts between generations, genders, and social classes…” Director Hwang added, “Many people say that groups they don’t belong to or think differently from them are wrong.
They distinguish by O and X, attack each other, and conflicts arise.” He further emphasized, “It was a satirical element about such things. I incorporated ‘distinction among people’ through the election system and O and X as one of the major themes of Season 2.”
◆ Maze Stairs and Dormitory
There were behind-the-scenes stories about the set work process. Art director Chae revealed, “The pink maze corridor was designed with the same planning and design as in Season 1.” The scale and scope were expanded. Director Chae said, “We increased the height. Designed with more grandeur than Season 1,” adding, “a set size of 120 pyeong was designed and worked on.”
He also elaborated on the details regarding colors. “While planning the overall art concept, we pondered a lot about ‘what colors would be childish and reminiscent of innocence’,” he continued, “we chose pink as the representative color.” They also visited a large dormitory, where participants spent most of their time in Season 1. It’s an iconic space of ‘Squid Game’ and is also noted as a piece of mise-en-scène.
Director Chae pointed out, “Given that ‘choice’ is important in Season 2, we preserved the symbolic dormitory while utilizing O and X on the set floor,” and mentioned, “we expanded the area and made it more massive.” While retaining the symbolic dormitory,
◆ Will Season 2 Maintain Its Momentum?
‘Squid Game’ took the world by storm in 2021. It became Netflix’s most successful work. Upon its release, it ranked number one in viewership for 46 consecutive days across 83 countries worldwide. It reached the top overall in the TV show category.
It swept international award shows, including the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards (Best Actor and Actress, Stunt Ensemble in a TV Series) and the 27th Critics’ Choice Awards (Best Foreign Language Series, Best Actor). The narrative of Season 2 unfolds around Seong Gi-hun. The story after Gi-hun doesn’t board the plane from the last season will be revealed. Lee Jung-jae hinted at the character, saying, “There is a character difference from Season 1.”
New characters join the cast: Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Yang Dong-geun, Park Sung-hoon, Park Gyu-young, Jo Yuri, Won Ji-an, Kang Ae-shim, Lee David, Lee Jin-wook, Noh Jae-won, and Choi Seung-hyun. Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and Wi Ha-joon also continue to appear. Meanwhile, ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 will be released on the 26th of next month.
<Photo courtesy of Netflix>
