A sand-filled set left the cast of Squid Game season 2 battling exhaustion and illness.
The return of Squid Game has gripped audiences, but filming the much-anticipated second season came at a cost for its cast. In one particularly gruelling scene, the actors found themselves battling exhaustion and illness after working in a room filled with sand.
Series creator Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed that the challenging sequence required players to form groups of five and complete tasks in a massive sand-filled arena. While the game was designed to encourage teamwork and mutual support, the harsh conditions on set turned the experience into a real-life ordeal for the actors.
“That was the only game where participants root for each other,” Hwang explained in an interview with The Wrap. “I thought, if we can increase the opportunities for people to support and root for each other, society will get better.”
However, the execution of the scene took a toll. Every time a group completed their run, the set was engulfed in clouds of dust, making it nearly impossible to breathe. “Everyone got really sick,” Hwang admitted, describing the physically demanding nature of the shoot.
The second season of Squid Game sees the return of protagonist Seong Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, as he re-enters the games with the ultimate goal of dismantling the deadly competition once and for all. The sand-filled game became a pivotal moment in the season, testing not only the characters’ physical endurance but also their ability to cooperate and trust one another.
Adding to the season’s intensity is its abrupt cliffhanger ending, which has left fans desperate for answers. Without spoiling too much, Hwang elaborated on the decision to cut the story short at a critical juncture.
“Of course, those watching would feel like, ‘Oh, no. What’s going to happen next? Give us the next episode right now,’” he told Entertainment Weekly. However, he explained that the timing of the ending was intentional, reflecting the profound transformation of Gi-hun’s character.
“At that moment, Gi-hun loses everything; he fails all of his attempts,” Hwang said. “That is when he goes through yet another character transition. So I thought that was the best place to end the season.”
Fans have taken to social media to share their reactions, with many praising the show’s ability to evoke powerful emotions while others expressed frustration over the unresolved plotlines.As Squid Game season 2 pushes boundaries both on and off-screen, it’s clear the series continues to explore the darkest corners of human nature and survival. Whether grappling with the harsh realities of its fictional universe or the physical challenges of bringing that vision to life, the show’s cast and crew have proven their commitment to delivering an unforgettable experience.
