The hype for Netflix original series Squid Game was unlike perhaps anything we’ve ever seen before. Breaking all manner of records for the streaming service, the South Korean survival drama captured the imagination of audiences across the globe, drawing us all in with its outlandish but addictive narrative.
Now, with a second season confirmed, many have been theorising about exactly what could happen when the series makes its return. We’ve been scouring the web for some of the best rumours and suggestions as to where the story may go; here are our seven favourite theories surrounding the series’ return…
7. Seong Gi-hun makes a return as a contestant
After the cliffhanger we were left with at the conclusion of Season 1, we know that any linear continuation of the Squid Game story will include Seong Gi-hun. Exactly how he’ll make his return however, is something that is still up in the air. A leading theory is that he’ll be going back into the games once again, this time as an undercover contestant either in a bid to take the establishment down entirely or, to actually work on behalf of those in power, continuing Oh Il-nam’s legacy.
6. Seong Gi-hun returns as an undercover worker
He could also come back as a cog in the Squid Game machine, working as part of the guard that ensures eliminated contestants are killed and, obey all of the rules. Of course, we know Gi-hun has a good heart, so if he does return as a worker, we’re sure that he’ll be plotting to take down the violent tournament once and for all.
5. Hwang Jun-ho is alive
Being shot in the shoulder by his brother, Hwang Jun-ho was presumed dead after falling from the side of the mountain into the rough waters of the ocean below. Having never seen his corpse however, we may see him make a shock return. He could even work alongside Gi-hun to bring the Squid Game organisers down and, claim vengeance against his sibling, the Front Man.
4. The tournament will go international
An exciting prospect is that Squid Game could go abroad, taking the high-stakes game to another country altogether. The only problem here is that this could take away from the magic of the South Korean drama; it would instantly feel Americanised if we started hearing accents from across the United States, for example.
3. Season 2 will focus on Oh Il-nam
Following the conclusion of Season 1, many viewers were left wondering exactly why Il-nam turned out the way he did. He gave his excuses before passing away, but we want to get to the meat and bones of his creation. Having founded the tournament, we could go right back to the very beginning, when games hadn’t yet been tested, before jumping in time through the years, so that Il-nam’s story can be told fully and sufficiently.
2. Kang Sae-byeok's brother will join the games
The tragic death of Kang Sae-byeok is one that will last with audiences for years. If her emotional family journey is one we see continue, it will likely be through her younger brother Kang Sae-byeok. If he joined the games, to fight for a financially-secure future, we imagine Gi-hun will be battling harder than ever before to ensure the youngster comes out on top. We may even see a sacrifice…
1. Season 2 will serve as a prequel
Though we’ve touched on how the show could be an origin story of sorts for Il-nam, what if the entire season was set in one particular year for the tournament? We could then be introduced to an entirely new cast of characters, as they battle for survival and go up against some different forms of their once-favourite childhood games. Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk could go in any direction he wanted, if this is the route he chose to go down.
Squid Game is available to watch now, exclusively on Netflix. We’ll bring you more news on Season 2 as and when we get it.
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