Participants decide whether to proceed to the next game through an "O-X vote" after each mission in "Squid Game" Season 2. Courtesy of Netflix

In a recently released trailer for Netflix's "Squid Game" Season 2, Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) screams desperately, "I've been through this game. If we keep going, everyone's really going to die!"

He pleads with other participants to end the game, but only receives scorn in return: "Why did a guy like you crawl back here?" Gi-hun, who wants to stop the game, wears a red X-shaped sticker on his chest, while those shouting "One more time!" to continue the game bear a blue O-shaped sticker.

Scheduled to premiere on Dec. 26, "Squid Game" Season 2 follows Gi-hun, the previous victor who won 45.6 billion won ($34 million), as he attempts to prevent a repeat of the deadly survival game.

To achieve his goal, Gi-hun reenters the game. A new rule for this season is the "O-X voting." At the end of each game, participants vote on whether to continue or end the game, allowing them to potentially earn more prize money or quit the competition.

In the English trailer for "Squid Game" Season 2, participant 230 (T.O.P, formerly of BIGBANG, left) is punching participant 333 (center, Im Si-wan) in the dormitory. This scene is not included in the Korean trailer. Captured from Netflix trailer

In the trailer, after voting, the participants are divided in their dormitories, with lights illuminating areas marked with "O" or "X," symbolizing their choices.

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who explained his intentions during a winter visit to the "Squid Game" set in South Chungcheong Province, said, "These days, divisive conflicts are rampant — territorial issues like the Russia-Ukraine war, religious disputes in the Middle East, generational divides within South Korea, and gender conflicts between young men and women."

Hwang continued, "We often see groups declare those who think differently as wrong and attack them. This season explores these themes of separation and hostility through the satirical O-X voting system."

Art director Chae Kyung-seon elaborated on the set's design, saying, "To highlight the stark contrast between ‘us and them,' we created O-X symbols in red and blue lights on the dormitory floors."

Participants divided by the "O-X vote" in "Squid Game" Season 2. Captured from Netflix trailer

Weeping Yang Dong-geun and Kang Ae-shim

In Season 2, the story is laced with interwoven connections among game participants. For instance, Gi-hun's friend, who went to the racetrack with him in Season 1, joins the game as participant 390 (Lee Seo-hwan).

The trailer shows participant 7 (Yang Dong-geun) standing beside an elderly woman, participant 149 (Kang Ae-sim), in a game before tearfully embracing her, hinting at a possible mother-son relationship.

Director Hwang says, "Season 2 features more participants with personal connections," aiming to amplify the tragedy of the survival narrative.

Notably, Park Sung-hoon, known for his role as the school bully in "The Glory," appears as participant 120 with a bold bob hairstyle, and Kang Ha-neul plays participant 388 with his long hair tied back.

Jo Yu-ri, formerly of the K-pop group IZ*ONE, also joins as participant 222. The trailer's young actors led some online viewers to speculate that Season 2 might delve into topics like cryptocurrency.

In the English version of the trailer, T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun) from BIGBANG is seen as participant 333, hitting participant 335 (Im Si-wan), igniting controversy over T.O.P's casting after past probation for marijuana use. His character's role is expected to remain a focal point of debate upon release.

T.O.P, formerly of BIGBANG, speaks to a nearby participant during a game in "Squid Game" Season 2. Captured from Netflix trailer

Season 2 unveils main posters

"Squid Game" unveiled two main posters Thursday and 12 new stills for its second season, with the posters capturing immediate attention as participants in green tracksuits stand out against vibrant, fairytale-like backdrops.

One poster, featuring players ascending and descending endless, maze-like staircases under close watch, hints at the inescapable fate awaiting them, fueling curiosity about their ultimate end.

The "Front Man," boldly unmasked among the mysterious Pink Guards, raises intrigue as viewers wonder if Gi-hun will uncover his identity in this season's deadly game.

Another poster captures contestants scaling toward victory, revealing new players aiming for the 45.6 billion won prize.

The variety of new faces suggests unique stories and unpredictable twists, building excitement for the unfolding drama and diverse character arcs in "Squid Game" Season 2.

The poster for "Squid Game" Season 2 / Courtesy of Netflix

Paperless scripts and sticker-sealed phones

Following Season 2, "Squid Game" Season 3 is set for release in 2025. The walls of the dormitory in Season 2 are adorned with paintings of people hanging from bars, hinting at new games to come.

To prevent spoilers, Netflix enforced tight security akin to a "007 operation" throughout the production. According to insiders involved in the new season, actors signed confidentiality agreements and had security stickers placed on their phones to block personal recordings.

Even physical scripts were eliminated, with actors only able to access scripts on monitors. A representative from an actor's agency revealed, "The script could only be viewed on a monitor."

The making of "Squid Game" Seasons 2 and 3, a continuation of Netflix's most-watched series, began in July of last year and has spanned over a year.

The poster for the second season of "Squid Game" / Courtesy of Netflix

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.