Hit Netflix series appears across London through sponsorships and special events ahead of the series’s big return to Netflix.

Netflix’s Squid Game has been the talk of the Korean entertainment world throughout 2024, with its release three long years after the show’s record-breaking first season, which saw it break records across the Netflix platform, topping the worldwide charts and even sparking a range of Spin-off shows as it became a cultural phenomenon.

Squid Game is set to feature a lot of changes from season 1, with a brand new star-studded cast featuring the likes of former Bigbang member T.O.P, Yang Dong-Geun, Yim Si-wan and Kang Ha-Neul, as well as the return of season 1 stars Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun and Wi Ha-jun. 

However, this season’s casting hasn’t come without its share of controversies. T.O.P. was taken off the cast poster after fear of backlash due to the idol’s previous legal issues with marijuana. The show has also seen new controversy due to the hiring of Park Sung-hoon, a cis man who portrays Park Hyun-ju, a trans woman in the show. Speaking on the decision, director Hwang Dong-hyuk stated:

“When we researched in Korea, there are close to no actors [who] are openly trans, let alone openly gay, because unfortunately in Korean society the LGBTQ+ community is still marginalised and more neglected, which is heart-breaking.”

Now, while the season has seen a lot of controversy, this past week has seen the show come

up with a masterclass in marketing, after premiering in Los Angeles at the end of November, the show’s star, Lee Sung-Jae would finish the show’s American promotions appearing on ‘The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon’ where they would confirm the shows third season and play a teaser of the upcoming season.

The show has received even more press in the UK, first premiering episode 1 of the second season alongside the season 1 finale at the iconic British Film Institute. The show further cemented its pop culture legacy with the Netflix party held at the London superclub Drumsheads on December 18. With performances from Korean megastar DJ Peggy Gou as well as fellow Korean DJs Yu Su and Mogwaa, the event featured a special red carpet with various UK influencers as well as special games and a Korean market available for fans to enjoy on the day.

Over the weekend, Squid Game hit the footballing world as Tottenham Hotspurs home to South Korean ace Son Heungmin saw the pitch surrounded by guards from the show before their kick-off against Liverpool as well as digital displays of the Squid Game logo across the stadium’s monitors.

Ultimately, with all of the previous success of season 1, there is a lot for season 2 of Squid Games to live up to, with a shorter season of 7 episodes, don’t be surprised to see fans spending their boxing day binging the series in one day and highly recommend staying off social media to avoid those spoilers.

However, with an even more established and star-studded cast, expect more in-depth storylines and violent scenes as number 456 continues his mission to end the games once and for all.

Watch the official trailer for season 3 below:

Are you excited for season 3 of Squid Game? What actor are you most excited to see as part of this season? Let us know via Social Media on X or Instagram.