'Squid Game 2' Premiere Sparks Global Excitement

'Squid Game 2' is set to premiere soon, generating immense anticipation among viewers worldwide. The extensive promotional campaign has heightened expectations both domestically and internationally. In South Korea, stocks related to 'Squid Game 2' have seen a surprising surge, while international media coverage continues to grow.

The Netflix original series 'Squid Game' made waves when it debuted its first season in 2022, amassing a staggering 1.65 billion hours of viewing time within just 28 days, making it the most-watched series on the platform. To date, it has accumulated 2.8 billion views, a record that remains unbroken, solidifying its status as one of the most successful series globally.

With the second season set to release on December 26 (KST), excitement is at an all-time high. In Los Angeles, a 4.56 km run was held to secure tickets for an early screening, attracting 1,600 participants. Meanwhile, in Paris, the Champs-Élysées was closed off for a game of 'Mugunghwa Kkot-i Pieot Seumnida' with 456 participants in front of an audience of 20,000. In Seoul, characters dressed in pink from 'Squid Game' appeared at the Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP), coinciding with a K-pop concert featuring security personnel in similar attire, amplifying the event's energy.

The New York Times reported on December 23 that 'Squid Game 2' is expected to replicate the phenomenal success of its predecessor, noting that the deadly and dystopian Korean drama has created a global sensation and is among the most-watched titles on Netflix. Marion Lee, Netflix's Chief Marketing Officer, expressed surprise at the overwhelming response from audiences outside Korea, stating that even content executives did not anticipate such a worldwide phenomenon. Other outlets, including Forbes and USA Today, have also shared their excitement leading up to the season's release.

In South Korea, merchandise themed around 'Squid Game' is being rapidly released, with pop-up stores and goods becoming increasingly popular. Attention is also focused on Artist Studio, where actor Lee Jung-jae is the largest shareholder, as interest in stocks related to 'Squid Game 2' rises. According to the Korea Exchange, shares of Artist United closed at 18,130 KRW on December 24. After facing allegations of insider trading that saw its stock drop to 10,250 KRW on December 9, the anticipation surrounding 'Squid Game 2' has led to an 80% surge in its stock price.

Following the unprecedented success of the first season, the domestic production industry experienced a boom, and there is hope that 'Squid Game 2' will once again draw significant attention to Korean content both locally and internationally.