Netflix’s Squid Game season two has announced eight new cast members.
The first season of Squid Game premiered in September 2021 and became a phenomenal hit. It broke all most-watched records on Netflix history with over 2.2 billion hours viewed. It received 14 Emmy nominations, ultimately winning six, including a historic win for lead actor Lee Jung-jae in the Best Actor in a Drama category. Hwang also won the Best Director Drama Emmy.
The announcement comes after initial concerns were raised about the lack of female cast members during the TUDUM event.
“This was the first cast announcement for Squid Game season two,” a Netflix spokesperson told Insider. “We’re excited to share more casting news soon, which will include the leading female characters.”
As per Variety, the new cast joining the international hit includes Park Gyu-young (Sweet Home), Jo Yu-ri (Work Later, Drink Now), Kang Ae-sim (Be Melodramatic), Lee David (The Fortress and Svaha: The Sixth Finger), Lee Jin-uk (Miss Granny), Choi Seung-hyun (Commitment), Roh Jae-won (Missing Yoon), and Won Ji-an (D.P.).
These new additions will join the previously announced cast Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon, and Yang Dong-geun, along with returning stars Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Gong Yoo, and Wi Ha-jun.
The creator of Squid Game, Hwang Dong-hyuk, will return as the writer, director, and executive producer for the second season. Kim Ji-yeon will also serve as an executive producer, while Firstman Studio takes charge of production.
Netflix is also capitalising on the show’s immense success with a reality competition series Squid Game: The Challenge. Contestants will face off in the games featured in the scripted version, vying for a chance to win a cash prize.
The reality show, which has received criticism, is set to premiere in November, further expanding the Squid Game universe.
