15 Facts You Might Not Know About Squid Game Season 2

15. Hyun-ju is based on a real trans soldier

Hyun-ju, a transgender ex-soldier in Squid Game Season 2, appears to draw inspiration from Byun Hui-su, a real-life trans soldier who faced discrimination and tragedy after her discharge from the South Korean army. | © Netflix

14. Front Man sabotages games intentionally

The Front Man subtly sabotages his team during the six-legged pentathlon by using his non-dominant hand for the spinning game. | © Netflix

13. The cast has some significant K-pop stars

With the massive global influence of K-pop, it's not surprising that the cast of Squid Game Season 2 includes some popular names from the industry. Choi Seung-hyun takes on the role of Thanos (you might want to check out his whole deal right here), while Jo Yu-ri, a former member of Iz*One and rising solo artist, makes her acting debut as Player 222. | © Netflix

12. The story about Front Man's wife is only half true

In Squid Game Season 2, the Front Man claims he joined the games to save his pregnant wife, but the truth reveals she died years ago, leaving much of his story shrouded in mystery and doubt. | © Netflix

11. The automatons play exactly the same song

In Squid Game Season 2, the robot dolls in the Front Man's office play Fly Me to the Moon again. But this time, the music sounds different – more modern. | © Netflix

10. Kang Ha-neul spent days practicing Gonggi

Even though Kang Ha-neul practised tirelessly for his Gonggi scene in Squid Game Season 2, a professional player was ultimately used for the close-up shots to showcase his flawless skill during the scene. | © Netflix

9. The opera songs played by the Salesman carry particular significance

The Salesman’s deadly games in Squid Game Season 2 are chillingly underscored by opera pieces like Nessun Dorma, which perfectly reflect high-stakes tension and dire consequences. | © Netflix

8. The second game initially was longer

In Squid Game Season 2, the second game packed five mini-games into one intense challenge, originally set with a ten-minute time limit. However, the teams performed so well during filming that they consistently completed the tasks in half the time. | © Netflix

7. Jo Yu-ri couldn't play Ddakji

Despite her best efforts, Jo Yu-ri struggled to pull off the perfect Ddakji flip during filming, forcing the director to rely on CGI. With intricate camera work and coordination involved, the seemingly simple game turned into an unexpectedly challenging task. | © Netflix

6. Seasons 2 & 3 were filmed back-to-back

To avoid another long wait, Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3 were filmed back-to-back, ensuring the story flows seamlessly. This promises a natural, more cohesive and thrilling continuation for fans. | © Netflix

5. An actual fear was between actors

For the cast of Squid Game Season 2, playing in a world with such high stakes was genuinely unsettling. Recreating iconic moments like Red Light, and Green Light heightened the tension, making the fear on-screen strikingly authentic. | © Netflix

4. Mingle game was made without CGI

Unlike many modern sets, the iconic Mingle game in Squid Game Season 2 was built entirely from scratch without CGI. The full-scale design and practical effects created an authentic atmosphere, making it one of the most intense games in the history of the show. | © Netflix

3. Season 2 and Season 3 were written in 6 months

Creator Hwang Dong-hyuk faced a significant challenge, writing Squid Game Seasons 2 and 3 in only six months. After a decade of struggle to sell the script of the first season, Netflix demanded him to finish the latest season within six months. | © Netflix

2. Thanos’ Actor was an actual rapper

After a period away from the spotlight, rapper T.O.P makes a triumphant return in Squid Game Season 2, playing the formidable Thanos. The contrast between the rapper's playful image and the character's chilling villainy promises a memorable performance. | © Netflix

1. Salesman was the actor's first time as a villain

Despite a career spanning over two decades, Gong Yoo had never played a villain until Squid Game. As the enigmatic Salesman, his calm persona added an unforgettable layer of unease, making it hard to imagine anyone else in the role. | © Netflix