WARNING: SPOILERS ahead for Squid Game season 2.
The much-anticipated second season of Squid Game launched on Netflix on December 26, 2024, after a three-year hiatus. Season 2 reintroduces several familiar children’s games from the first season while introducing a variety of new, deadly challenges. The protagonist, Seong Gi-hun, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae, returns with a mission to dismantle the twisted competition from within—an endeavor that unfortunately requires him to participate in the games once again.
Following the dramatic conclusion of season 1, where Gi-hun resolves to oppose the game’s organizers, season 2 escalates the action. While Gi-hun collaborates with mercenaries to retaliate against his adversaries, the series adeptly maintains the intensity and intrigue that captivated audiences in the first season. The games not only retain their lethal edge but also include both returning favorites and innovative new additions.
8 Dacians
Episode 1
The game of Ddakji, played by The Salesman (Gong Yoo) in both seasons, serves as a recruitment tool for potential players. Defined by the LA County Library as a traditional South Korean game involving folded paper tiles, in the context of Squid Game, it carries much graver consequences: losing the game results in literal slaps to the face as a punishment for debts owed.
This harrowing twist on the game acts as a grim precursor to the overall atmosphere of Squid Game. The Salesman’s use of slaps to demonstrate the peril of losing foreshadows the potential for much more severe repercussions for players involved in the games.
7 Bread and Lottery
Episode 1
In the opener of season 2, titled “Bread and Lottery”, The Salesman introduces a new method of recruiting participants. He approaches vulnerable individuals in public, offering them a choice between baked goods and lottery tickets. The twist lies in the fact that many opt for the seemingly high-reward option—only to discover their tickets are worthless, watching helplessly as he destroys the unchosen pastries.
This game starkly illustrates a fundamental gambling truth: individuals, especially those in dire financial straits, will often gamble on uncertain rewards rather than take guaranteed, albeit lesser, options. As players grapple with their choices, the narrative emphasizes the fine line between hope and desperation, a recurring theme throughout Squid Game.
6 Jokenpo
Episode 1
The third game, Jokenpô, a variation of Rock Paper Scissors, appears near the end of the premiere episode. The Salesman forces Mr. Kim and Woo-seok to compete, employing a twist known as “Jokenpô minus one,”where players must eliminate one of their choices each round.
While this classic game is straightforward, the stakes are high. Ultimately, Woo-seok wins against Mr. Kim, leading to a shocking and fatal consequence orchestrated by The Salesman, solidifying the grim reality of their predicament.
5 Russian Roulette
Episode 1
In a particularly intense moment, Russian Roulette is introduced as a mechanism for determining fate, where Gi-hun faces The Salesman in a deadly game using a revolver with only one bullet. Each turn escalates the risk, with odds shifting in favor of fatal outcomes.
The outcome of their confrontation results in a dramatic turn of events, paving the way for Gi-hun to reconnect with the Front Man and reenter the brutal competition that lies ahead.
4 Red Light, Green Light
Episode 3
Returning for a pivotal role, the classic game Red Light, Green Light, first introduced in season 1, retains its chilling significance. Players attempt to traverse a deadly obstacle course while obeying strict commands. Any movement during “Red Light”results in immediate elimination at the hands of merciless guards.
This game highlights the brutal stakes of the competition, where mistakes can mean the end of the line, exposing just how unforgiving the environment truly is.
3 Six-Legged Pentathlon
Episodes 4-5
The new Six-Legged Pentathlon game expands the challenge further by introducing a series of mini-games that require teamwork and strategy. Competitors are physically bound together, necessitating coordination to navigate through five demanding contests.
- Game 1 – Ddakji: The initial challenge mirrors the recruitment game played earlier.
- Game 2 – Flying Stone: Knock over a vertical stone from a distance.
- Game 3 – Gong-gi: A traditional game of catching pebbles.
- Game 4 – Spinning Top: Players must produce a spinning top that remains upright.
- Game 5 – Jegi: A simple kicking game akin to hacky sack.
2 Mingle
Episodes 5-6
The innovative game Mingle requires players to huddle together on a massive platform until a designated number is called. Participants must then scramble to form groups based on the announced number, obtaining safety in designated areas. The urgency leads to critical split-second decisions that often result in betrayal.
1 Special Round (Lights Out)
Episodes 6-7
Although season 2’s typical game structure is disrupted by a contestant uprising led by Gi-hun, the much-feared Special Round is a harrowing segment of the season. Players are entrusted with forks as they digest their meals, leading to a chaotic night where trust crumbles under the weight of survival instincts.
This gruesome non-game dynamic highlights the dehumanizing struggle for survival that characterizes the essence of Squid Game.
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