In Season 2 of Squid Game, Gi-hun returns to Stop Unjust Game

“Squid Game” writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk and two of the series’ stars, Lee Jung-jae and Wi Ha-Jun, headed to Lucca Comics and Games in Italy on Thursday and revealed new details about the second installment the successful Netflix series Season.

When asked what fans of the mega-hit Korean-language survival drama should expect, Hwang teased the “biggest difference” between the first and second seasons during the first global promotional event for the new season.

“If Season 1 was about the story of Gi-hun (Lee) or player no. 456, in which he enters Squid Game for the first time and how he survives and leaves the game victorious, Season 2 will be about Gi-hun confronting his memories of the first game – the experiences that “He has gone through new realization and awakening and returning to the game again to stop this unjust game,” he said.

Hwang – who became the first Asian to win an Emmy for outstanding directing in a drama series – told the crowd of mostly Italian fans who filled Lucca's 17th-century Teatro del Giglio to capacity that two Italian songs will be featured in the second season will be: Giacomo Puccini's “Nessun Dorma” from the opera “Turandot” and “Time to Say Goodbye” (also known as “Con te partirò”), performed by Andrea Bocelli.

The “Squid Game” creator also revealed why at the very end of “Squid Game” 1 Gi-hun has red hair at the airport.

The inspiration, Hwang said, “came from an unexpected place.” “Seong Gi-hun's red hair at the end of the first season, I got it from my favorite comic 'Slam Dunk,'” he added, revealing his connection to the popular one Japanese sports manga series.

For Lee Jung-jae, who plays Gi-hun, the transition to red hair was “very natural,” he said.

“After having such a powerful experience, I thought that dyeing his hair red would be the beginning of his new courage, so to speak, so that he could live a new life,” said the star, who plays No. 1 player. 456 added.

Wi Ha-Jun, who plays South Korean police detective Hwang Jun-ho who enters the gaming complex in search of his lost brother, said that in Season 1 his character “literally turned away from the gates of death and went looking for him.” His brother – and to hunt down these cruel people behind the game – must put an end to this unjust, brutal game.”

“What kind of things will he go through (now)? How determined will you be to find him and his charisma along the way? I hope you all look forward to watching this,” he added.

Season 2 will be released on December 26th, while the third season of “Squid Game” will premiere in 2025.

The first season of “Squid Game” is considered the most-watched television season in Netflix history. The series received 14 Emmy nominations with six wins. In addition to Hwang's win, Lee also won the award for Best Actor in a Drama Series and Lee You-mi won Guest Actress in a Drama.