The New “Squid Game” Season Two Cast Announcement Receives Criticism From Netizens

Netflix recently announced the cast of the global hit show Squid Game, yet the announcement has gained criticism from fans for the lack of diversity.

The poster for the first series of “Squid Game” | Netflix

During the first series, the Korean cast quickly became global superstars, whether they had already been veterans in Korea or not. While many K-Drama fans knew about many of the actors, the show introduced fans to new and rising stars from all walks of life.

| @hoooooyeony/Instagram | @leeyoum262/Instagram

On June 17, netizens couldn’t hide their excitement when Netflix posted the first teaser ahead of the second series. It started out with some classic scenes from the first series that became a hit worldwide.

Your browser does not support video.| @netflix/Twitter

Of course, netizens couldn’t hide their excitement when the video was released, as the trailer revealed that fan favorites of the show were returning, including Lee Jung Jae, Lee Byung Hun, Wi Ha Joon, and of course, Gong Yoo.

Your browser does not support video.| @netflix/Twitter Your browser does not support video.| @netflix/Twitter 

Along with the cast that netizens are used to seeing in the series, there were some shocking new additions from well-loved Korean actors. It included Yim Siwan (also known as Im Siwan), Kang Na Haeul, Yang Dong Geun, and The Glory star Park Sung Hoon.

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When the trailer was released on different platforms, while many fans couldn’t hide their excitement, there were mixed reactions about the diversity within the announcement.

Considering the success of stars like Jung Ho Yeon and Lee Yoo Mi…

Lee Yoo Mi and Jung Ho Yeon | @leeyoum262/Instagram

many were shocked that no female stars were announced, no matter their experience. Although there could be more to come, many thought the first and most important announcement should include female stars.

Not a single woman in the main cast of squid game 2nd season lol… were they afraid that another female character would steel the spotlight from the male leads again? pic.twitter.com/7Rzq2du7U8

— sabi (@aquarieee) June 17, 2023

wdym there’s no women casted for squid game s2?? that show literally became famous because of a woman

— (@bIurredmirrors) June 18, 2023

also the way there’s no new woman character…. squid game hates women https://t.co/HJzrd9AlIA

— marziଓ (@youthfmay) June 17, 2023

squid game season 2’s new characters are just men like where are the women???? the female actress was the best thing of season 1

— alyssa ☽ kinda ia (@clxvdtyun) June 18, 2023

Some even pointed out the “controversial” past of two of the male actors, including the lead actor, which made them skeptical about watching the next series.

Yet, it wasn’t just international netizens who had concerns in different ways.

Korean netizens noticed the distinct lack of diversity in the first teasers, and it was not just gender but also age and experience within the business. One of the rising stars in the first series was Anupam Tripathi, who played Ali Abdul.

Anupam Tripathi who played Ali Abdul | Netflix

For many, the cast were Korean male actors of a similar age who have had experience in the industry, compared to the varied cast of the first series.

| theqoo

Strangely, there’s no gender assignment, but there are no actresses or other people of different ages. If this were a series we didn’t know anything about, like in season one, I wouldn’t have said anything. But it’s a series following season one. There were impressive female and grandfather characters shown in season one. But this time, it’s just all famous male actors around the same age, and it’s not really hitting. There should be a grandmother or teenage character for us to gain some interest. I feel like that age range is too stereotyped. Even if there were only male actors if they had also added grandfather actors too, I think I would have been more excited about it.

— OP

While more cast will surely be announced, or many hope, it is disappointing that the first major announcement that is meant to have the “main cast” didn’t include any diversity.

You can read more about the cast below.

Netflix Confirms New And Returning Cast Members For “Squid Game” Season 2