Could Squid Game Season 2 Be Set Outside Korea? Exploring the Possibility

Expanding the World of Squid Game

A common Squid Game theory could be proven correct in season 2 and would allow the series to expand beyond its South Korea setting. The entirety of the Netflix show's first season was set within this country, but several characters were presumably born and raised elsewhere—most notably the VIPs, who traveled to Korea to watch Oh Il-nam's brutal competition. It was through these wealthy observers that a popular Squid Game theory gained some traction, and the idea behind it could mean an opportunity for new settings going forward.

VIPs in Squid Games dressed in suits, wearing masks.

Squid Game season 1 established that the competition that gives the poor and desperate an opportunity to get rich or die trying was established by Oh Il-nam, a wealthy old man who found that his immense fortune made him and others like him board and disquieted by life. To solve this, he started a competition that allowed the wealthy elite to place bets on people competing for money, like betting on horses. The men whose money is behind the events in Squid Game come from all over the world and wear bedazzled masks to keep themselves anonymous. Still, a comment from one of the VIPs has led to an intriguing theory.

Expanding the World of Squid Game

The VIPs only showed up on the island where the games were held near the end of Squid Game season 1, but their conversations after arriving implied that they had been watching by other means up to this point. One of the masked men mentioned that the 'Korean games' were particularly good that year. This seems to imply that, like the Olympics, a different country hosts the games every year, and this could mean some exciting possibilities in future seasons of Squid Game.

Squid Game VIPs Elevator

Squid Games season 1 ended with Gi-hun seeking revenge for his traumatic experience by taking down Oh Il-nam's games. If, in his effort to do so, he learns more about the VIPs and discovers that other events are held around this world, this would confirm the international games theory. Of course, this would mean a far greater task for Gi-hun. Rather than just taking down a single operation, he would have to find a way to take down the games in each of these different countries.

The Frontman watches the games from the control room in Squid Game

Though Squid Game is a South Korean-made series, it gained a massive following from audiences all over the world. This makes the idea of international settings all the more intriguing since it allows audiences to see their own cultures and childhood games reflected by the series. Additionally, Squid Game explores concepts that aren't exclusive to Korea. There's an imbalance of wealth in many major countries worldwide, which sees the vast majority struggle to get by while a small percentage has more money than they could ever need. Seeing what this looks like in different countries can further drive this point home.

A blended image features Gi-Hun in front of the masked VIPs in Squid Game

Challenges of an International Setting

An international setting for future Squid Game seasons would also have some struggles. First, there is the language barrier. It's implied that Gi-hun will continue to be the central character of at least Squid Game season 2, and bringing him to different countries would mean mixing him with characters who don't speak the same language. Then, most importantly, there is the fact that Squid Game season 1 brought Korean culture and entertainment to the mainstream, and stepping back from this would remove the unique flavor that appealed to global audiences to begin with. There's a lot of potential for an international setting, but it may be best to keep going with what works.

Squid-Game-Player-001-Gi-hun