The debut of Netflix’s highly anticipated Squid Game season 2 has led to a sharp decline in shares of South Korean companies tied to the show.
The new season, released on December 26, failed to live up to expectations, causing a significant dip in stock prices:
Artist United Inc., a distributor and marketing firm with Squid Game’s lead actor Lee Jung-jae as the largest shareholder, saw its stock drop by the daily limit of 30%.
Wysiwyg Studios Co., another investor in Artist United, plunged 25%.
Dexter Studios Co., a partner of Netflix, sank 24%.
Despite the show’s success in 2021, season 2 has received mixed reviews. While 85% of critics on Rotten Tomatoes gave it a positive rating, 65% of viewers expressed approval.
The New York Times noted that the season “hints at larger-scale ambitions” but ultimately “stalls” in its narrative.
With the third season scheduled for release in 2025, the future of the series and its impact on related stocks remains uncertain.
