The current political context in South Korea, where martial law was briefly declared and then cancelled last week, did not disrupt or derail the launch of the second season of "Squid Game" in Seoul today (Mon, 9 Dec). But, for all the glad tidings mouthed by Netflix executives and finger hearts flashed by an array of stars at a press conference, the social context was never far from the surface.

“There is political turmoil in Korea, and I am here with a heavy heart,” director Hwang Dong-hyuk said. At another moment, he said that he had second thoughts about coming to the launch event.

That Hwang and stars Lee Jung-jae (portrayer of protagonist Gi-hyun), Lee Byung-hun (portrayer of Frontman) and Wi Ha-jun (portrayer of Detective Hwang), turned up, must have been a relief to Netflix.

The Monday launch is said to be the streamer’s largest ever event for a non-English-language show. That befits the 2022 original series’ status as Netflix’s most-watched programme of all time, with some 330 million viewers, 2.8 billion hours of viewing and Korea’s first Emmy Award.

“Squid Game became a phenomenon that crossed orders and languages,” said Netflix co-CEO/chief content officer, Ted Sarandos, in Seoul this evening. 

“For many people, "Squid Game" was the very first Korean show they had ever seen. And now, over 80% of Netflix members around the world watch K-content,” Sarandos added. 

Held at the futuristic Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), today’s event consisted of: a photo call and press conference involving Hwang and a dozen of the principal cast; an afternoon press junket (mini-interview sessions with a select coterie of journalists and influencers); and a wing of the DDP that was filled with Instagram-friendly replicas of "Squid Game’s" iconic sets, costumes and symbols. 

That was followed by an evening-time red-carpet parade and a big- screen premiere of the second season’s first episode. 

The viewing public will have to wait till 26 December to see the new season’s eight episodes. (A third season was shot at the same time as season two, but details, including its playout date, have been kept under wraps.)

Between them, Hwang and trailer footage have previously revealed that season two sees game-winner Gi-hyun abandon his plans to flee to the U.S. and instead attempt to uncover the people who organise the deadly game.

At today’s event it was explained that the characters sucked into the deadly game in season two skew younger and are dealing with more post-pandemic issues, such as crypto-currencies and transgender people. (Having wasted him behind a black mask throughout season one, the show also deploys Lee Byung-hun, one of Korea’s finest actors, as a more fully-fledged antagonist.)

“[Since the pandemic] the social ladder is no longer there. Young people no longer feel that hard work gets them rewards, so they instead turn to [dubious] investments and gambling,” Hwang said.

“Season two draws a lot of parallels with what we are witnessing in the world right now. And with a heavy heart, I feel that watching the second season of ‘Squid Game’ is not going to be very different from watching the news.” – Patrick Frater