Summary
The iconic ‘Red Light, Green Light’ game made a comeback in Season 2 ofSquid Gameand enthralled everybody. However, the game could have looked really different if the makers had accepted a stark change made by the show’s art director.
The first season ofSquid Gamebecame a huge hit because of its epic storyline, superb performances, and high-octane action sequences. Another key factor behind its success was the thrilling and innovative games introduced during the deadly competition. Each game brought suspense, strategy, and high stakes, keeping the audience captivated. However, one game that became a cultural phenomenon was the Red Light, Green Light game in which players wearing green tracksuits get to the finish line without getting caught by the eyes of the gigantic doll in front of them. For Season 2, the makers wanted to do something different for the aforementioned game that could have changed its essence, but it seems they decided to drop the plan and continue with their original vision.
Speaking in an interview withThe Korea Times, renowned art director Chae Kyoung-sun revealed that she invested significant time experimenting with various approaches to ensure the visuals in the second season matched the striking impact of those in Season 1. Among the many creative decisions she explored was the possibility of altering the color of the game participants’ iconic green tracksuits, aiming to introduce a fresh visual dynamic while retaining the essence of the series’ identity. However, it seems creator Hwang Dong-hyuk didn’t want to touch certain aspects of the show and wanted it to keep them as it is. Chae said,“We considered making the uniform tracksuits sky blue. I showed director (Hwang Dong-hyuk) a sample, but after some thought, he said, ‘Let’s go back to green.“The art director explained that the design sample drew inspiration from the attire of teacher Hong Du-kke, a character from the beloved 1980s Korean animationRun Hani. By referencing this nostalgic figure, she aimed to evoke a sense of familiarity and cultural resonance, seamlessly blending the past with the series’ modern narrative.
The changing of the color might have given a new perspective to the game, but keeping it exactly the same as the first season helped maintain continuity and reinforced the iconic imagery associated with the series. The original green tracksuits, especiallyduring the Red Light, Green Light game, symbolized the participants' unity and vulnerability, while also serving as a visual link that instantly reminded viewers of the tension and themes established in the first season. Moreover, any changes made to the game might not have sat well with the audiences who fell in love with the game as soon as it was introduced in the first edition. Fortunately, the show’s creator knew that he didn’t need to make any severe changes to the game to make it more appealing.
Butthings are about to change in Season 3because a new member will be introduced in the Red Light, Green Light game. In the exclusive sneak peek seen at the end of Season 2, it was revealed that a new doll would be accompanying Young-hee in Season 3. Known as Chul-su, the male doll will also be in the game and will be used to detect any movement. It would be interesting to see how adding another doll to the game changes the dynamics and forces the players to be extra careful. Moreover, viewers could see more bloodshed during the game because of this added element. Nevertheless, for viewers, the game will once again bring a lot of entertainment and superior action.
Both seasons ofSquid Gameare available to stream on Netflix, while Season 3 will premiere in 2025.
