“Squid Game 2“, which was released on the 26th, follows Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) seeking revenge and returning to the game, where he faces off against the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) in a new set of challenges. After the success of Season 1, the production team decided to film Seasons 2 and 3 together, and the series made its return after three years.
However, from the moment the casting was revealed, concerns arose. Although well-known actors like Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, Im Si-wan, Wi Ha-jun, Park Gyu-young, Lee Jin-wook, Park Seong-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-shim, Lee Seo-hwan, and Jo Yu-ri were announced, the issue was the “gender balance.” When Netflix first revealed the Squid Game Season 2 lineup last June, there was no mention of female characters. This sparked a wave of disappointment, especially as global fans had high expectations following the international popularity of Season 1’s female star, Jung Ho-yeon. Netflix later responded by adding Park Gyu-young, Jo Yu-ri, and Kang Ae-shim to the cast, increasing the number of female characters.
However, the actual portrayal of female characters in Season 2 fell short, with many of them being reduced to one-dimensional roles. Most of the female characters revolve around the theme of “motherhood.” For example, Kang No-eul (Park Gyu-young) is a mother searching for her lost family, while Jang Geum-ja (Kang Ae-shim) participates in the game to pay off her son’s debt. Kim Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri), is soon to become a mother due to an unplanned pregnancy.
Furthermore, none of the women stand out in the games. Kang Mi-na (Song Ji-woo) is the first to be eliminated, depicted as a naive woman obsessed with outward appearances. Kim Young-mi (Kim Si-eun), a scared character, is left behind by her group and dies miserably, while the “strong woman” character, Sem-i (Won Ji-an), is killed by her teammate due to her dominant personality.
While the character of Yong-gung Seon-nyeo (Chae Guk-hee) does play a religious role, she does not actively participate in the game. The only somewhat developed female character is Jo Hyun-ju (played by Park Seong-hoon), who helps injured participants and shows exceptional marksmanship during the rebellion. However, the character’s identity as a transgender woman complicates the portrayal of a “strong female character.”
Overall, “Squid Game” Season 2 has been criticized for its shallow portrayal of female characters, questioning the direction the series should take. With Season 3 set to release next year, fans are eager to see whether the show will move beyond basic gender representations and provide more depth to its female characters.
