Lee Jung-jae’s Reaction to Squid Game Season 2 Cliffhanger
Lee Jung-jae, the star of Netflix’s mega-hit Squid Game, recently opened up about his thoughts on the dramatic cliffhanger that concluded the series’ second season. In this much-anticipated return, fans watched as Seong Gi-hun, the victorious player of the deadly competition, reentered the perilous game with the aim of dismantling it. The season culminated in a shocking act of rebellion led by Gi-hun, but this rebellion did not succeed, tragically costing the life of his best friend, Park Jung-bae (portrayed by Lee Seo-hawn). The finale left viewers on the edge of their seats, uncertain of the future for the surviving players.
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lee expressed his surprise at the season’s end, exclaiming, “how could you end the season at that point?”He acknowledged that while audiences might feel anxious about the unresolved storylines, he believes many viewers today relish the suspense that cliffhangers bring. Below is an excerpt from his response:
“My first reaction was, ‘how could you end the season at that point?’ I think the audience would be dying to know what’s going to happen next and some may be very angry, actually. Some may even curse that it’s ending on such a cliffhanger. But I realized that a lot of people nowadays actually love bold cliffhangers.”
Viewer Response to Squid Game Season 2 Ending
The Controversy Surrounding the Cliffhanger
Lee’s insights into viewer reactions have proven accurate, as the feedback for season 2 has been notably mixed. The first season of Squid Game enjoyed a robust 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In contrast, season 2 has plummeted to a mere 65%, highlighting a widespread dissatisfaction among fans, particularly regarding the cliffhanger conclusion.
| Squid Game Seasons | Rotten Tomatoes Critics Score | Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score |
|---|---|---|
| Season 1 (2021) | 95% | 83% |
| Season 2 (2024) | 82% | 65% |
With season 3 already confirmed and set to be the series’ final installment, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has elaborated on his decision to divide the concluding narrative across two seasons. He explained that the expansive storyline necessitated additional episodes for thorough development. Hwang envisioned seasons 2 and 3 as a single narrative arc, ultimately splitting it to provide adequate clarity and resolve. He believed the conclusion of Gi-hun’s rebellion offered a fitting endpoint for the first chapter of this journey.
Our Perspective on the Season 2 Cliffhanger
Anticipation for Season 3
The audience’s frustrations are understandable, especially after a three-year wait for the continuation of Gi-hun’s journey in South Korea. While cliffhanger endings may seem like a predictable trope, it’s clear that Hwang has a meticulous vision intended to honor Gi-hun’s narrative arc.
Conversely, fans should be willing to accept this cliffhanger. Unlike the notable gap between the first and second seasons, season 3 is anticipated to drop in 2025, shortening the wait for resolution. Furthermore, viewers are eager to see how pivotal storylines will intertwine, particularly concerning the Front Man and the implications of Jung-bae’s death on Gi-hun’s character development. Therefore, although a cliffhanger can be exasperating, answers are imminent.
Source: Entertainment Weekly
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