Squid Game Creator Explains Why Season 2 Is Shorter Than Season 1

Squid Game Season 2 will have only 7 episodes, a reduction from the 9 episodes in Season 1. Here’s why the creator made that decision.

Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has explained why Season 2 is shorter than Season 1.

The second season will feature Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae) returning as a contestant, aiming to stop the deadly games once and for all. While Season 1 had 9 episodes, Season 2 will have just 7.

In an interview with Deadline, Hwang shared that the decision to shorten the season came after he wrote both Seasons 2 and 3 together.

He explained that the story reaches a major turning point at the end of Episode 7. Hwang felt that this was the perfect moment to separate the seasons. Here’s what he had to say:

“I wrote seasons two and three at the same time, and we were in production for both simultaneously.

When I was writing the script for the two seasons, I felt like there was a big turning point or an inflection point, and that was the end of episode seven. I thought it would do it justice to have a separate season after that.”

What This Means for Squid Game Season 2
Hwang’s explanation suggests that Season 2 will end on a dramatic note, leading directly into the final season.

Gi-hun, who survived the first season’s deadly games, will return to confront the Front Man and uncover the truth behind the games.

With Season 2 only having 7 episodes, viewers can expect a faster pace and a quicker resolution to Gi-hun’s involvement in the games.

This shorter episode count might also hint at a more intense and fast-moving plot. The season could end with Gi-hun either winning the games or causing them to end early. Fans are eager to see how the show will evolve, especially with hints of a global expansion of the games.

Why Hwang’s Decision Makes Sense
Though it’s disappointing that Season 2 will be shorter, Hwang’s choice highlights the importance of the story’s structure.

By stopping at a key moment, the transition into Season 3 will feel natural and impactful. A longer season might have stretched the plot too thin, while a shorter one will keep the tension high and the story focused.

With Squid Game being the most-watched non-English TV show on Netflix, the decision to keep the season concise may be a strategic one to maintain the show’s momentum and keep viewers hooked.