Will Jung Ho-yeon’s Sae-byeok Return in Squid Game Season 2?

WARNING: Spoilers ahead for Squid Game season 2, episode 1.

In the wake of the highly anticipated premiere of Squid Game season 2 on December 26, 2024, fans are buzzing with speculation regarding the return of Jung Ho-yeon as Sae-byeok. Originally launched in September 2021, the series became Netflix’s most-watched show of all time. In this new season, Lee Jung-jae reprises his role as the determined survivor Seong Gi-hun, who is on a mission to confront and seek justice from the creators of the deadly survival game.

The cast this season welcomes back notable characters including Wi Ha-joon as Hwang Jun-ho and Lee Byung-hun as the enigmatic Front Man, Hwang In-ho. Furthermore, series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk returns to both write and direct the show. He has already confirmed that there will be a third season, which will mark the series’ conclusion and is slated for release in 2025. While the first season offered nine gripping episodes, this upcoming installment consists of seven.

Sae-byeok’s Haunting Return in Gi-hun’s Nightmare

Sae-byeok’s Appearance in a Nightmarish Vision

Squid Game's Sae-byeok looks disheveled.

In a gripping turn of events, Sae-byeok makes a haunting return in the form of Gi-hun’s nightmare during episode 1 of season 2. In this unsettling scene, Gi-hun encounters the severed heads of Sae-byeok and his childhood friend Cho Sang-woo, both of whom met tragic fates in the first season. The emotional weight of Sae-byeok’s death, having been killed by Sang-woo before his own suicide in the finale, renders her unexpected appearance quite poignant.

Jung Ho-yeon’s Absence in Season 2

Gi-hun’s Promise to Protect Cheol

Despite fan hopes for Jung Ho-yeon’s character’s return, she is notably absent in season 2, a situation largely tied to the narrative’s progression following her character’s demise. Gi-hun, however, is determined to honor his promise to take care of Sae-byeok’s younger brother, Cheol, who appears early in the season. Additionally, Gi-hun is depicted as trying to facilitate Sae-byeok’s mother’s migration from North Korea to South Korea, navigating challenges even after making significant financial arrangements through a local marriage broker.

Jung Ho-yeon’s Journey Post-Squid Game

Jung Ho-yeon as Kim in Alfonso Cuarón's Disclaimer.

Since her meteoric rise to fame from the success of Squid Game, Jung Ho-yeon has diversified her career. She featured prominently in The Weeknd’s music video “Out of Time”and has maintained her modeling career. On Netflix, she appeared in the comedy series Chicken Nugget, and made an appearance in the acclaimed Apple TV+ series Disclaimer, acting alongside Cate Blanchett. Looking to the future, Ho-yeon is set to star in Joe Talbot’s film The Governesses and the Na Hong-jin thriller Hope, alongside Michael Fassbender.

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