The highly anticipated series Squid Game Season 2 is finally set to premiere on December 26th this year. Just shy of a year since December 6th last year, Netflix invited domestic and international press to visit the Squid Game Season 2 set in Daejeon. While the actors were not available for filming during the visit, Kim Ji Yeon, CEO of production company First Man Pictures, along with director Hwang Dong Hyuk and art director Chae Kyung Sun, welcomed the press and shared hints about the upcoming season.
The Irony of the Pink Set: A Maze Inspired by Escher’s Prints
The recently released teaser for Squid Game Season 2 reveals a set design that largely maintains the aesthetic of the first season. The pink “maze corridor” is a standout example, though its scale has been notably expanded. According to art director Chae Kyung Sun, the maze corridor in Season 2 now features additional passageways, with the ceiling height increased to approximately 11 meters and the floor area expanded from 314 square meters to 396 square meters.
Chae explained the concept behind the design, saying, “When creating the art and overall concept of Squid Game, we focused on using playful, childlike colors. Pink was chosen as the main color and it was used as the dominant tone of the maze corridor.”
The corridor’s structure was inspired by the works of Dutch printmaker Maurits Cornelis Escher. Expressing her admiration for Escher, Chae noted, “I wanted to reinterpret the contradictions and paradoxes in Escher’s work to align with the themes of Squid Game.” She added, “This season features a variety of characters who navigate the maze’s perplexing pathways as they engage in conflict and confrontation,” offering insight into the intricate and enigmatic design of the set.
More Contestants With Personal Connections in Season 2
Reflecting on the new season, Hwang shared, “Unfortunately, I ended up killing off most of the fan-favorite characters in Season 1, so this season will feature a whole new lineup. Viewers can expect participants from a range of generations and genders. In Season 1, Gi Hun (Lee Jung Jae) and Sang Woo (Park Hae Soo) were childhood friends from the same neighborhood. Season 2 will introduce even more characters with personal connections to one another.”
A Set That Visualizes Division: Season 2’s Theme Is ‘Distinction’
Squid Game Season 2 is set to introduce a new dynamic to the deadly games. In the recently released teaser trailer, a new rule is revealed: participants will now vote on whether to continue after each game. Unlike Season 1, where a single vote determines the fate of all players, Season 2 will see players divided into two factions: those who choose to continue (O) and those who wish to quit (X).
Director Hwang Dong Hyuk explained that this new rule will lead to internal conflict and division among the players. He stated, “We wanted to visualize this theme through the accommodation set and costumes.” This decision reflects the director’s intent to explore the pervasive issue of division in today’s world, using the game as a satirical lens to examine societal conflicts.
Art director Chae Kyung Sun further elaborated on the design choices for Season 2. She explained that the iconic dormitory set has been subtly altered to reflect the theme of division. The addition of O and X markings on the floor signifies the start of the separation, with contrasting red and blue colors emphasizing the stark division between the two groups.
>> ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 Drops First Look With New Posters, Faces and Rising Stakes
