Squid Game Season 2 and its Filming Locations

“Squid Game Season 2“is a Netflix original Korean drama directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk. It depicts a mysterious survival game where 456 participants compete for a prize of 45.6 billion won. The title is derived from the traditional Korean game “Squid Game,” named so because the playing field, which is drawn with large circles, triangles, and squares, resembles a squid.

Facts about “Squid Game” Season 2

A representative of “Squid Game Season 2” revealed on May 5th that they are demolishing the existing sets and building new ones to film the remaining scenes at Studio Cube in the Daejeon Expo Park. The previous season was also filmed at this location, and the current season is being shot in the largest studio, Studio A (1,500 pyeong).

The cast includes Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Im Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Gong Yoo, Wi Ha-jun, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, No Jae-won, Park Kyu-young, Cho Yu-ri, Kim Si-eun, Kang Ae-shim, Lee David, Lee Jin-wook, Choi Seung-hyun, and Won Ji-an.

Filming began in July 2023 and took approximately one year. Unlike the previous 9-episode season, Season 2 consists of 6 episodes. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk wrote and directed the series, and Kim Ji-yeon from Siren Pictures produced it. The production budget for this season is the largest in Korea, amounting to 100 billion won.

“Squid Game” Season 2 Coming Dec.26th 2024

“Squid Game Season 2” began filming in July last year, completed its lengthy 11-month production last June month, and took longer due to filming in chronological order, leading to a high-quality outcome. The filmed content is likely to be divided into two seasons. Similar to the Netflix series “The Glory,” it might be released in two parts, with Season 2 coming in winter and Season 3 in spring in 2025.

Global Promotion and Anticipation

Before the Christmas release, director Hwang Dong-hyuk and actor Lee Jung-jae will promote the new “Squid Game” in Italy this October. They will attend the “Lucca Comics & Games Festival” on October 31 to introduce Season 2, which is expected to garner worldwide attention.

“Squid Game,” released in 2021, ranked first in Netflix’s all-time viewer count, viewing hours, and household rankings. Despite three years passing, it retains its reputation as Netflix’s biggest hit, guaranteeing the success of Season 2.

This Christmas season, global viewers are preparing to be captivated by “Squid Game Season 2” once again. With high expectations and curiosity, the upcoming “Squid Game Season 2” is highly anticipated.

Filming Locations of “Squid Game Season 2”

Studio Cube: The Hub of South Korea’s Broadcasting and Video Content Industry

Aimed at strengthening the competitiveness of the Korean broadcasting and video content industry, Studio Cube is the largest public production support facility in the country, established by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency. It houses one large studio and four medium to large studios, one of which features a four-sided chroma key setup for VFX filming.

Notable works utilizing Studio Cube include the globally popular Netflix original content “Squid Game.” The maze corridors participants pass through to reach the game area, as well as the dalgona, marble game, tug-of-war, and stepping stone game scenes were all filmed here. Other prominent productions such as the drama “Jirisan,” which garnered attention for the collaboration between writer Kim Eun-hee and actors Jun Ji-hyun and Ju Ji-hoon, as well as dramas “Mr. Sunshine,” “Sweet Home,” and “Kingdom Season 2,” also used Studio Cube.

As such, Studio Cube has established itself as the hub of South Korea’s broadcasting and video content industry, supporting the production of various works.

Origins of ‘Squid Game’

Traditional Game: The Squid Game is based on a traditional Korean children’s game that dates back to the 1970s and 1980s. It is named after the squid shape drawn on the ground, which serves as the playing field .

Cultural Significance: This game is significant in South Korean culture as it evokes nostalgia and represents childhood experiences. It is one of many traditional games that children played before the rise of digital entertainment.

Rules of the Game

Setup: The game is played on a large drawing of a squid on the ground, divided into two sections: the offense and the defense.

Teams: Players are divided into two teams. The offense tries to reach the “head” of the squid, while the defense attempts to stop them.

Gameplay:

The offense starts from the tail of the squid and must navigate through the body to reach the head.

The defense can push or tag the offensive players to prevent them from reaching their goal.

If the offense successfully reaches the head, they win the game.

Cultural Impact

Nostalgia and Memory: The game is not just a pastime; it represents a shared cultural memory among South Koreans. It has been a part of childhood for many, making it a poignant symbol in the context of the series .

Modern Interpretation: The Netflix series uses the game as a metaphor for societal issues, such as economic disparity and the struggles of modern life, while also highlighting the importance of traditional games in Korean culture .

In summary, the Squid Game is a traditional Korean children’s game that has deep cultural roots and evokes nostalgia. Its rules are simple yet engaging, and its modern representation in the Netflix series has sparked global interest in Korean culture and childhood games. The blend of tradition and contemporary issues makes it a fascinating subject for both cultural study and entertainment.

Other Korean Games in the “Squid Game”

“Mugunghwa kkochi pieotseumnida” (무궁화 꽃이 피었습니다)

“Mugunghwa kkochi pieotseumnida” (무궁화 꽃이 피었습니다), which translates to “The hibiscus flower has bloomed,” is a traditional Korean children’s game featured prominently in the Netflix drama “Squid Game.” Here’s an explanation of the game in English:

How to Play

One player is chosen as “it” (the tagger) and stands at one end of the playing area, facing away from the other players.
The other players line up at the opposite end of the area.
The tagger chants “Mugunghwa kkochi pieotseumnida” while facing away from the players.
While the tagger is chanting, the other players can move forward.
When the chant ends, the tagger quickly turns around to face the players.
Players must freeze in place when the tagger turns around. If the tagger sees anyone moving, that player is out.
The goal is for players to reach the tagger’s position without being caught moving.

Game Variations

In some versions, players caught moving become helpers for the tagger4.
Modern variations may include the tagger changing the ending of the phrase, requiring players to mimic the action (e.g., “Mugunghwa kkochi chumchumida” – “The hibiscus flower is dancing”)

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