Back in the Dormitory: Squid Game: The Challenge Returns for an Epic Season 2 on Netflix
The global phenomenon that captivated millions is back for its highly anticipated second season! Squid Game: The Challenge Season 2 returns exclusively to Netflix, promising even more high-stakes drama, heart-pounding games, and brutal eliminations. This season introduces 456 new contestants to the arena, all competing for the staggering $4.56 million cash prize. With brand new challenges, shocking twists, and the pressure cranked up to lethal levels, the real competition has officially begun. Prepare for the return of the world’s most intense reality competition.
The Tribune spoke to some of the contestants vying for the big cash prize. Viper (LJ Glanton), known as (Player 152), is a contestant in the current season. Viper is a 28-year-old DJ and SoulCycle coach from New York. While Viper may at times have not vocalized his distaste, he did not hesitate to give his fellow contestants a strong side-eye when needed.
"That reflects who I am as a person. Therefore, this aspect of my personality will also be reflected in the game. If you're going to be insincere, please do so openly in my presence. I'm going to clock it. I am going to call it out. I understood that people on reality TV raise the stakes and exaggerate situations. I was determined to pinpoint the items for display with precision. I wasn't so engrossed in their performance that I, you know, wanted to be clear. I sought clarification. I wanted to ensure that everything I was doing and the people I was with were honest and transparent,” he shares.
Another contestant who remained loyal to himself was Mark Levy, participant 100. He is a customer service contestant who is currently engaged and hopes to have a Star Wars wedding. His sweet demeanor is sure to make him a fan favorite.
“I went in with the attitude of "I want to make friends with people," and I believe it worked out nicely. I was thinking of money. Don't get me wrong. I was there to win. I wanted to win. I felt I had a good chance of winning. If I walked away, my chances of winning would be 5%. My approach was to be nice, make friends, and play catch. I thought that someone who was supposed to be his ally accidentally decided to bully him.
This season's game is exciting because players thought they could rest, but there were more players than beds, so they couldn't relax yet.
“I was very overwhelmed in that moment. I had no idea what was going to happen. I assumed it was going to be hectic because the activity was a squid game, but I had no idea. I believed that we could all ascend and engage in a game of rock, paper, scissors against one another. I had no idea, but I'm just delighted I made it,” were Claire (Contestant 409) thoughts. She and Erin (Player 393) are one of several duos and groups featured in the show's second installment.
“I had a sense. I believed there was no way they were going to house, feed, and bathe all 456 of us. A large number of us will be returning home, and I will do all in my power to avoid being one of them. I was actually kind of grateful to have that moment; I let it soak in, knowing I had to lock in.” Faith (Player 361) explained.
Melissa (Player 110) had this perspective: “I think the hardest thing was being on for as long as we were. That was a really difficult thing for me because there was no reprieve. You didn't have a second to yourself. You were always surrounded by other people, and everything you did and everything you said was speculated, recorded, and watched.”
While not everyone can walk away with a big prize, Squid Game: The Challengers season is still filled with the excitement and unpredictability of the original.
Viewers can follow the action on Tuesday, November 4th, with the first 4 episodes. Followed by Tuesday, November 11 (4 episodes) and Tuesday, November 18 (1 episode—6pm PST)