Squid Game has 330 million viewers on Netflix, Experience for Seoul
Netflix’s most popular TV series of all time has become even more popular ahead of the season 2 premiere.
To date, Season 1 of “Squid Game” has attracted an audience of 330 million people and more than 2.8 billion viewing hours since its release on September 17, 2021. Netflix is touting the Korean-language show as the most anticipated title of the year (despite its debut on December 26 is just days away from the end of 2024) and cites a 60% spike in season 1 viewership following the release of the first season 2 teaser on October 31st.
The streamer is building on anticipation for the drama’s return with the in-person activation, Squid Game Experience – currently available in New York City and Madrid. It’ll launch in Sydney on December 14 and Seoul in early 2025. The real-life version of the series’ battle royale (though clearly not deadly in this case) will feature games inspired by the show, complete with pink uniformed guards. following the group as they move from challenge to challenge and ultimately crown a winner. (Note: $45.6 billion won prize not included.)
“Honestly, after we finished season 1, I wasn’t planning on doing a second season because the overall process of writing, producing and directing the series was so challenging that I didn’t think about doing another season to do.” Squid Game’ creator Hwang Dong-hyuk, who infamously lost “eight or nine” teeth during production of the first season, shared Variety.
Hwang says he only went ahead with a second season (which actually grew into a second and third, once he started telling the story) because the “huge success” of the first season “gave me the courage and motivation” to commit more to add.
“To be honest, it was because Season 1 was so loved by so many people,” Hwang said. “And by then I was constantly getting asked, ‘Is there going to be a season 2?’ And also because the story ends at the end of season 1 with Gi-hun turning away from the run and promising to find these people, and many people wanted to see the story unfold further.
