Squid Game Season 2 Becomes Most-Watched Content on Netflix Within a Day

The Netflix original series Squid Game (오징어 게임) Season 2 has quickly risen to prominence, becoming the most-watched content globally just one day after its release. Despite mixed reviews suggesting it may not live up to the expectations set by its predecessor, the numbers speak for themselves.

According to FlixPatrol, as of December 28, Squid Game 2 topped the Netflix TV program charts worldwide. It achieved the number one spot in 92 countries, including the United States, France, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Turkey. Out of the 93 countries tracked by FlixPatrol, it was the most viewed content in all but New Zealand.

The first season of Squid Game entered the global top 10 within two days of its release and claimed the number one position after eight days, maintaining its spot in the top 10 for a total of 106 days.

Since its release, the new season has sparked a wide range of reactions, from praise to criticism. The Hollywood Reporter noted that Netflix's Korean hit has lost some of its edge, while The New York Times remarked that while new characters are introduced, many are merely variations of Season 1's victims, and some subplots fail to develop meaningfully. USA Today echoed this sentiment, stating that while Squid Game 2 remains violent, it is more disappointing than shocking, lacking the sharpness and originality of the first season.

On the other hand, Variety praised the new season for being bloodier, more expansive, and highly immersive, highlighting its fresh perspective on issues like capitalist exploitation, moral decay, and class inequality that plague modern Korean society, thus surpassing many repetitive elements from Season 1.

Squid Game Season 2 features a fierce rivalry between Gi-hun (이정재), who returns to the game seeking revenge, and the Frontman (이병헌), as the real game begins anew. All episodes were released on December 26, and Season 3 is expected to premiere in the first half of 2025.

As the series continues to defy critical backlash with its impressive viewership numbers, many are eager to see how far the popularity of Squid Game will extend.