Squid Game Season 2 Dominates Global Rankings Despite Mixed Reviews

The Netflix original series Squid Game (오징어 게임) Season 2, directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, continues to enjoy immense popularity despite receiving mixed reviews. According to FlixPatrol, a global OTT ranking service, the show, which premiered on December 26, achieved the number one spot in 92 countries by December 27. With Netflix available in 93 countries, it only fell short in New Zealand, where it ranked second behind La Palma.

FlixPatrol also assigns scores based on country rankings, and currently, Squid Game Season 2 has amassed a score of 929, significantly higher than La Palma's 775. The first season of Squid Game remains Netflix's most-watched content, with approximately 2.2 billion viewing hours, which heightened anticipation for the second season.

However, critical reception varies among prestigious global media outlets. Variety praised Season 2 for its intensified drama and larger scale, highlighting its exploration of issues such as capitalist exploitation and class inequality in South Korean society. In contrast, outlets like The New York Times, USA Today, and The Guardian expressed disappointment, suggesting that Season 2 did not meet the high expectations set by its predecessor and emphasized the need for improvement in Season 3.

Domestic viewers, familiar with social issues in South Korea, have also noted a lack of freshness in the new season, although they are generally positive about character development for the upcoming third season.

Squid Game Season 2 has been nominated for Best Television Series at the Golden Globe Awards, set to take place in January 2025, having been submitted for consideration prior to its release. The third season is expected to premiere in the first half of next year, with Hwang Dong-hyuk describing it as darker, more brutal, and sadder than Season 2, yet also inventive and humorous, set 10 to 20 years in the future.