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Following a three-year absence, the hotly anticipated return of Netflix’s landmark TV seriesSquid Gamereturns for Season 2 on July 03, 2025. After captivating the world during the global pandemic lockdown,Squid Gamebecame so successful that the next two seasons were immediately green-lit, written, and shot back to back.
However, days beforethe Season 2 premiere, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk joked that he was already sick of the series and may leave the franchise, possibly withholding Season 3 from the masses if he becomes too tired of the universe he’s built. While Netflix has become nearly synonymous with quantity over quality binge-watching,one of the smartest things the streaming platform could do is endSquid Gamebefore it grows stale and overstays its welcome.
Squid Game
What Is ‘Squid Game’ About?
The head-spinning success ofSquid Gameled toNetflix’s most-viewed series in 94 countries. The streamer instantly greenlit Seasons 2 and 3 simultaneously, tasking Hwang with twice the creative effort. Meanwhile, immersive and interactive spin-off series, games, and art installations likeSquid Game: The Experience, Squid Game: The Challenge,andSquid Game: Virtualscontinued to bolster the franchise’s popularityand drum up anticipation for more of the main series.
Hwang Dong-Hyuk’s Post ‘Squid Game’ Experience
Squid Gamecreator Hwang spoke withVarietyto promote Season 2 and described how much of a toll Season 1 took on him and how he never intended to make Season 2, stating:
“I had no intention of doing a second season, because the overall process of writing, producing, and directing the series was so challenging. I didn’t think to do another one."
Hwang notoriously claimed he had lost eight or nine teeth while toiling over the first season. If true, it’s understandable why he’d want to prevent such a severe physical toll by limiting the number ofSquid Gamesseasons and episodes. However, with the “immense success” of Season 1, Hwang found renewed vigor to create more thrilling challenges for cash-strapped competitors.
‘Squid Game’ Creator Teases the Horror to Come in Season 2
‘Squid Game’ Season 2 is coming soon, and showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk is teasing with a “crueler, scarier and more gruesome” return.
Although he didn’t suffer any dental issues while making Seasons 2 and 3,Hwang admitted to the physical exhaustion and psychological cost of continuingSquid Game, adding:
“I’m so exhausted. I’m so tired. In a way, I have to say, I’m so sick of ‘Squid Game. I’m so sick of my life making something, promoting something. So I’m not thinking about my next project right now. I’m just thinking about going to some remote island and having my own free time without any phone calls from Netflix.”
Beyond the refreshing candor rarely heard from those promoting their work,it sounds like Hwang’s heart is no longer in the franchise. If that’s the case, endingSquid Gamebefore it becomes too derivative, repetitive, boring, and uninspired would be far wiser than continuing the show for money-making popularity.
Why Ending ‘Squid Game’ After Season 2 Could Be a Good Thing
WithSquid GameSeason 2 premiering, Hwang will continue post-production work on Season 3, which is expected to be released in 2025. While it’s unlikely that he will pull the plug and walk away from episodes that have already been shot, if the promotional campaign becomes too unbearable, it’s conceivable he will remain on the remote island he mentioned as a much-needed getaway from the all-consuming franchise.
Whether Hwang stays or goes,it wouldn’t necessarily be a bad thing ifSquid Gameended after Season 2. For a companybuilt on binge-watchingand accommodating quantity over quality, ending its most-viewed show before it dramatically decreases in quality would preserve the integrity and dignity of Seasons 1 and 2. The decision would retainSquid Games' reputational luster while simultaneously showing the streaming world that Netflix isn’t just about logging as many viewership hours as possible and genuinely cares about crafting meritorious projects that withstand time.
Apart from his admission of exhaustion, Hwang also told Variety that several moreSquid Gamesprojects are in development at Netflix, declaring:
“There are certain projects that are currently being made where they ask for my opinion a little bit more actively. So as far as I know, going forward, there’s going to be even more creative projects that come from the ‘Squid Game’ universe, some of which I will be more involved in.”
Hwang’s busy schedule and high demand may become too much to juggle, perhaps leading toSquid Gamebeing cut short. However, star Lee Jung-jae, who plays Seong Gi-hun, teased the ending ofSquid Game(presumably Season 3), saying:
“The ending is something you really cannot expect. I am looking forward to what kind of interpretations viewers have.”
At some point, Netflix risksSquid Game’s diminishing creative turns and must decide whether to go out on a high note by leaving viewers wanting more or sticking around far too long to become a pathetic self-parody. It will get harder and harder to eclipse theshow’s most gruesome deaths, high-risk challenges, compelling drama, and ultimately lead to a watered-down version of the show fans know and love.
Whether Hwang becomes too sick and tired to deliver Season 3 or remains on board for the foreseeable future, Netflix should endSquid Gamewhile it’s preserved in amber as one of Netflix’s most successful programs of all time. If not,Squid Gameis subject to being another Netflix example of quantity trumping quality.Squid Gameis available to stream onNetflixon Dec. 26.
