‘Squid Game’ was a surprise global smash. Will Season 2 be even bigger for Netflix?

'Squid Game' was a surprise global smash. Will Season 2 be even bigger for Netflix?

As a die-hard fan of gripping storytelling and immersive entertainment, I can confidently say that the hype surrounding “Squid Game” is well-deserved. Having binge-watched the first season in one sitting, I can attest to the show’s ability to keep you on the edge of your seat with its suspenseful plotlines and captivating characters.

Justin Lin, a college student, spent the last three years and more, engrossed in the initial season of “Squid Game” from Netflix over just two days. He’s now eagerly anticipating the premiere of Season 2, scheduled for release on Netflix on December 26th.

Lin was really thrilled, and he hurriedly traveled from the San Gabriel Valley to Hollywood in order to put on a green tracksuit and battle with other enthusiasts for a chance to attend the U.S. debut event.

After watching the first episode of the new season, Lin expressed his excitement by saying, “Everyone was absolutely thrilled – you could cut the tension with a knife.

The hit show, titled “Squid Game,” which focuses on individuals overwhelmed by debt and willing to risk their lives in dangerous contests, has been Netflix’s most-watched series with over 330 million views since its debut. In just the initial 91 days following its release, Squid Game Season 1 amassed an astounding 265.2 million views, breaking the record for any program on Netflix for highest viewership ever.

Tom Nunan, previously an executive for networks and studios, now teaching at UCLA, believes that the upcoming second season may prove even more spectacular.

Nunan stated that the first season was highly popular. Now, you’re working with a well-established title. The audience won’t need to rely on recommendations alone. You’ll be catering to the global fan base that’s already there, as well as those who are curious and want to explore it for the first time.

'Squid Game' was a surprise global smash. Will Season 2 be even bigger for Netflix?

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There’s plenty more to say about human nature in Seasons 2 and 3 of the hit South Korean drama.

Since the debut of “Squid Game” in September 2021, Netflix’s subscriber base has expanded significantly. Initially, it stood at approximately 214 million members during the third quarter of that year. However, as of now, its global membership has swelled by a substantial 32%, reaching over 282 million users worldwide.

Minyoung Kim, Netflix’s vice president for the Asia Pacific region excluding India, expressed great faith that fans who watched Season 1 will undoubtedly adore Season 2, and those yet to be introduced are likely to find Season 2 equally appealing as well. She shared this view in an interview last month.

'Squid Game' was a surprise global smash. Will Season 2 be even bigger for Netflix?

In its second season, which was nominated for a Golden Globe, the story picks up right from where “Squid Game” ended, focusing on the main character’s quest to put an end to the lethal competitions.

Netflix is increasingly focusing on producing content from different parts of the world, investing heavily in tales that strike a chord with particular nations or areas. Occasionally, these narratives gain worldwide popularity, as seen with “Squid Game.

'Squid Game' was a surprise global smash. Will Season 2 be even bigger for Netflix?

Hollywood Inc.

Netflix is intensifying its retail involvement by planning to establish two brick-and-mortar outlets, as well as collaborating with numerous brands to market merchandise inspired by their productions.

At a recent screening of “Squid Game” at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood, Netflix’s head of content, Bela Bajaria, declared that the show has shattered records and emerged as our all-time favorite, demonstrating that outstanding narratives can originate from any corner. She also emphasized the significant global cultural influence it has had.

As a passionate cinephile, I can confidently say that the budget for the first season of this captivating series was approximately $21.4 million, which averaged about $2.4 million per episode. However, Netflix chose not to disclose the budgets for either season. Nonetheless, it’s evident that the filmmakers had a substantial increase in resources for the second season. The creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, shared with The Hollywood Reporter that this time around, he was able to bring his creative vision to life without any compromises, whether it be in set construction or CGI.

Netflix has invested substantially in promoting the series, organizing fan gatherings in cities such as Sydney and Paris. Additionally, the streaming platform has collaborated with prominent brands like Puma, who designed the tracksuits worn by contestants during Season 2 and have made these items available for purchase to enthusiasts. Moreover, you can find Crocs shoes themed around “Squid Game” and a special edition of “Red Light: Green Light” beef jerky from Jack Link’s on the market as well.

Additionally, the company introduced a multiplayer version of the game titled “Squid Game: Unleashed,” which is temporarily accessible even for those without a Netflix subscription. Starting from Monday, Netflix has declared that it will incentivize viewers who are also gaming enthusiasts. By tuning in to Season 2 of the show, they can earn either real money or special game tokens, depending on the number of episodes watched.

And of course, there are the legions of “Squid Game” fans sharing the hype.

Jacqueline Yang, a 28-year-old content creator from downtown L.A., expressed that there’s been a great deal of excitement surrounding it and everyone seems eagerly awaiting it. She herself finished watching the entire Season 1 in just a single day.

At the beginning of this month, approximately 1,700 spectators, among them Yang, joined a 4.56K run – symbolic of Season 1’s central character, Player 456 – which commenced at L.A. City College. These participants were provided with tracksuits reminiscent of those seen on the series.

At the gathering, attendees were given the option to dash through one of three large figures: a circle, a triangle, or a square (the insignias adorning the masks of the supervising guards during the game segments of the show). Those who picked the matching symbol were allowed access to the viewing.

'Squid Game' was a surprise global smash. Will Season 2 be even bigger for Netflix?

Hollywood Inc.

2027 and 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup tournaments are set to be part of my Netflix sports lineup! Exciting news for me as a fan, Netflix is expanding its live sports programming to include these prestigious events.

Lin and a friend chose the triangle — the right choice, it turned out.

In a similar vein, Yang opted for the triangle, however, her mother didn’t fare as well. The family was split up due to her mother participating in two consecutive events – “Red Light, Green Light” and a lottery draw – both of which she unfortunately did not win.

Despite departing the premiere earlier, as her boyfriend came to pick up her mother, she didn’t go away with nothing; instead, she walked off with the tracksuit.

“My mom is like, ‘I guess we have our Halloween costumes for this next year,’” Yang said.

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2024-12-24 20:31

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