The creators of Squid Game could have taken the easy route for Season 2, simply replicating the high-concept premise that made its first season a global phenomenon in 2021. With 330 million viewers worldwide, the series became Netflix’s most-watched title, lauded as a sharp critique of late-stage capitalism. However, the new season, which premiered on December 26, takes a bolder approach by weaving an intricate narrative that mirrors the current political landscape, exploring the destructive nature of tribalism.
If Season 1 illustrated the impossible choices capitalism imposes—where desperate individuals gamble their lives for a chance at a better future—Season 2 examines how political and social divisions pit us against each other, often to mutual ruin. It’s a timely reflection of global rightward political shifts, including the election of South Korea’s conservative president Yoon Suk-yeol in 2022 and the resurgence of populist movements worldwide.
A Shift in the Game’s Stakes
Season 2 builds on the thematic foundation laid in its predecessor. In Season 1, the second episode, “Hell,” provided a striking moment when contestants were given the chance to vote on whether to leave the deadly game. Despite the horrific stakes, the contestants chose to stay, as the grim realities of their outside lives offered little hope for improvement. The game’s cruelty mirrored the world’s indifference, compelling them to continue.
This moral quandary is amplified in Season 2, where voting becomes a recurring feature after every round. Surviving contestants must decide whether to end the game and split the prize money or press on for a larger jackpot. The stakes are higher, and the dilemma sharper: leave with less but ensure survival or risk everything for personal gain.
Political Allegory and Division
The contestants quickly divide into two factions: the red X team, advocating for an end to the bloodshed, and the blue O team, determined to push forward despite the risks. The show draws overt parallels to political divisions, with voting scenes staged as charged rallies. In one particularly chilling episode, a populist wave overtakes the group, driven by desperation and greed. Chants of “One more game!” echo through the dormitory, a clear nod to the rallying cries of political movements around the world.
As tensions escalate, the factions devolve into outright violence, with contestants attacking one another in a grim reflection of real-world tribalism. The message is clear: when we view others as enemies rather than collaborators, we doom ourselves to mutual destruction.
A Creator’s Vision
Hwang Dong-hyuk, the show’s creator, began writing Season 2 shortly after Yoon Suk-yeol’s election. At a panel discussion in Los Angeles, Hwang shared his intention to explore how individual choices fuel conflicts and whether humanity can overcome these divisions. South Korea’s turbulent history, marked by authoritarianism and mass protests, serves as a poignant backdrop for the series.
Recent events, such as Yoon’s attempted declaration of martial law and subsequent impeachment, highlight the resilience of the Korean people in resisting oppressive leadership. These themes resonate deeply in Squid Game, which draws from the country’s struggles to tell a universal story about power, division, and hope.
A Beacon of Hope
Amid the darkness, Season 2 offers a glimmer of hope. In the finale, a member of the red X team, played by series star Lee Jung-jae, leads a rebellion against the game’s guards. Contestants from both factions unite, sacrificing themselves to dismantle the system that oppresses them all. The moment suggests that only by overcoming tribalism can humanity achieve collective liberation.
As America braces for the second term of Donald Trump, Squid Game serves as a cautionary tale and a call to action. It challenges us to rise above division, reject mutual destruction, and work together for a better future. The question remains: will we heed its warning, or are we too fractured to change course? The answer may lie in how we face the political battles ahead.
