Squid Game's fame? Netflix CEO reveals the shocking truth behind its success
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Squid Game's final chapter is set to premiere on Netflix on June 27. The streaming platform dropped the trailer for the final season at its Tudum event last week. The global hit will continue the story of Gi-hun, as he returns to the deadly games following a failed rebellion in Season 2.Since premiering on Netflix on September 17, 2021, the fictional South Korean survival series—where participants compete in brutal games for a prize of 45.6 billion won (S$43 million)—continues to be the platform's most popular show to date.In a podcast with Nikhil Kamath , the co-founder of Zerodha, Netflix Co-CEO, Ted Sarandos explained what made Squid Game such a huge hit across the globe. The fact that Squid Game became such a global sensation was completely unpredictable, Sarandos said.The Korean team that picked it knew it would be a big hit in Korea, he told Kamath. And it turns out that shows that are big local hits have the best chance of travelling globally because they are very, very good, added Sarandos.When Squid Game's Season 2 launched in December 2024, it set a new record for the highest number of views during its premiere week and reached Netflix's global Most Popular Non-English TV list within just three days. Season 2 ranks second on the list with 193 million views, second only to Season 1's 265 million views.Netflix confirmed several returning characters for Season 3. They include Lee Jung-jae as Gi-hun, Lee Byung-hun as the Front Man and Wi Ha-jun as Hwang Jun-ho. It will also star Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Jo Yuri, Lee David, Roh Jae-won and Park Gyu-young.Season 3 features Gi-hun entering the game once again. A teaser shows him brought back in a coffin. He must play new deadly games like jump rope and a violent maze.The teaser keeps the same setting of dangerous games masked as fun. Gi-hun's goal remains revenge against the Front Man. In a message to fans, Dong-hyuk confirmed this season will complete Gi-hun's journey. The conflict between him and the Front Man will reach its conclusion.Netflix will release all episodes of Squid Game Season 3 on June 27, 2025, continuing directly from Season 2.Yes, Season 3 completes Gi-hun's story, but a spin-off exploring events between Seasons 1 and 2 may be developed later.
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