1st episode of 'Squid Game' season 2: Nice?

The wait is finally over.

"Squid Game", the hit Korean dystopian survival series, is back with its highly-anticipated second season three years after season one aired.

Directed by Hwang Dong Hyuk, the show continues to follow contestants trapped in a deadly competition where they must play children's games with life-threatening consequences, all for the chance to win a massive cash prize.

Season one introduced iconic games like Red Light, Green Light and Tug of War, resulting in the tragic deaths of fan-favourite characters, such as Sae Byeok (Jung Ho Yeon) and Ali (Anupam Tripathi).

In a shocking twist, the season finale revealed that Cho Sang Woo (Park Hae Soo), Gi Hun’s childhood friend, is complicit in the game’s violence, alongside player 001, Oh Il Nam (Oh Young Su), the wealthy mastermind behind the "Squid Game".

Here are some highlights with spoilers from the first episode of season two:

Returning characters

Season two of "Squid Game" takes place two years after the events of season one, bringing back key characters, such as Seong Gi Hun (Lee Jung Jae), Jun Ho (Wi Ha Jun), the Front Man (Lee Byung Hun) and the Recruiter (Gong Yoo).

Having won the previous Squid Game, Gi Hun is deeply traumatised by his experience.

Instead of reuniting with his daughter in the United States, he decides to re-enter the game, driven by a determination to put an end to the deadly competition once and for all.

Meanwhile, Jun Ho, last seen falling off a cliff at the end of season one, survived and has recovered in a hospital.

Now working as traffic cop, he remains determined to find his missing brother, the Front Man, and uncover the truth behind the game and its origins.

Both Gi Hun and Jun Ho have spent the past two years tracking down the Recruiter and searching for the hidden Squid Game island, which remains a mystery.

New cast additions

New faces have joined the cast in season two, including:

Kang Ha Neul

Known for his roles in "When the Camellia Blooms," and "The Pirates: The Last Royal Treasure", Kang plays a key role in this season, though his character's exact involvement in the deadly competition remains under wraps.

Im Si Wan

Formerly of the K-pop group ZE:A, Im has gained recognition in acting through projects like "Stranger" and "The King Loves".

In "Squid Game" season two, he makes a brief appearance in the first episode, where his character receives an invitation to join the game.

Jo Yu Ri

A former member of the K-pop group IZ*ONE, Jo assumes the role of an enigmatic character with a secret in "Squid Game" season two.

In the first episode, viewers will catch a glimpse of Jo's character receiving an invitation to join the Squid Game.

A surprising twist unfolds as her character is revealed to be pregnant, adding an unexpected layer to the story.

T.O.P (Choi Seung Hyun)

T.O.P, a former member of the iconic K-pop group Big Bang, known for hits like "Bang Bang Bang," is also recognised for his acting roles in "Tazza: The High Rollers and Commitment".

His role in "Squid Game" season two remains a mystery in the first episode.

Park Sung Hoon

A rising star in Korean dramas, Park has appeared in series like "The Glory" and "Psychopath Diary".

The Recruiter's fate

In the first episode, the Recruiter (Gong Yoo) continues to lure new players with promises of wealth.

When he discovers that Gi Hun has sent people to follow him, the Recruiter captures them and forces them into a twisted game of rock-paper-scissors, which results in one participant's death.

Later, Gi Hun finally confronts the Recruiter and plays a deadly gun game with the odds of survival being one in six.

Ultimately, Gi Hun wins the game and the Recruiter dies.

Before his death, the Recruiter reveals his dark past of having once worked within the Squid Game organisation, disposing of the bodies of dead contestants.

It was during this time that he was given a gun for the first time, an experience that made him feel acknowledged.

The Recruiter recalls shooting a man who had lost a game, only to later discover that the man was his father.

This moment reinforced his belief that he was "cut out for the job".

By the end of episode one, it makes one wonder: With the Recruiter gone, who will take on the responsibility of luring new players into the deadly game?

What’s next?

"Squid Game" season two continues to explore the brutal, high-stakes world of deadly competition.

The show has already garnered critical attention, with a nomination for Best Drama Series at the upcoming Golden Globe Awards.

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Season three, which will be the final season, is set to premiere in 2025, bringing the story to a close.

All seven episodes of season two are now available to stream on Netflix.

Should you watch it?

If you've waited so long for it, you might as well just watch it — even if you end up not liking or expecting more from it.

Top images via Netflix.