Squid Game Season 2 hits on the red light.

Everyone knew that Squid Game was the talk of the town when it first aired, taking the world by storm. Hundreds of millions of people streamed it on Netflix, setting an all-time high record that no show has beaten to this day. So, when the second season was announced shortly after the first one ended, people were ecstatic, eager to have their questions answered when it finally aired.

Just to preface this "review," I personally did not like the first season. I understood why people found it fresh concept-wise, but for someone who has been consuming the "death game" genre for years, the idea was nothing original. It just boiled down to how the creators would put their own spin on it.

My main issue with the first season was its inconsistent writing. You could tell the writer had incredible ideas but struggled to integrate them smoothly into the plot. There were also unnecessary elements that dragged the show longer than necessary (one example being Il-Nam's ten-minute monologue at the end of the season).

That said, I did appreciate the character dynamics and the overall simplicity of the story. I genuinely believe that simplicity was the key factor in its success, especially considering Squid Game served as many people's first experience of the "death game" genre.

When the second season dropped during the holiday season, I decided to give it another chance. I thought perhaps I had been too harsh on the first season, as I only rated it two stars. Maybe the holiday spirit would help me enjoy the new season more.

Trust me, I really wanted to like it. I truly did. I focused on a few good things during the first two episodes, but as time passed, I realized that the one thing I genuinely liked about the first season—its memorable characters—was stripped off from this one.

Although the second season introduced a plethora of new characters, none of them were memorable. They lacked depth, making them utterly forgettable. To be honest, I couldn’t even remember a single name by the time it ended.

Plot-wise, it felt as though the creators sacrificed the show’s core focus to expand the narrative. This season felt rushed, with too many things happening at once, which negatively impacted both the quality of the storyline and the development of the characters.

As for the games, while most were new, they were colorful like those in the first season but lacked the shock factor that made the first season interesting.

Squid Game, like many other series bearing the "second season curse," unfortunately wasn’t safe from landing on the red light. I attribute much of this to the abrupt, and unfulfilling season finale. But who knows? Perhaps what this season lacked might become the strongest element of the next.

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Trillion Game delivered a fast-paced story that left me wanting more.

It’s one of those rare times I wished a drama wouldn’t end because it was just that good. Watching this felt like riding a rollercoaster—an exhilarating experience from start to finish.

One of the things I loved about this show was the talented cast, who brought the amazing characters from the source material to life.

Ren Meguro was a revelation as Haru Tennoji. Before watching this show, I had seen him act in Kieta Hatsukoi and As Long as We Both Shall Live. Typically, the characters he plays are gentle, which undoubtedly suits him perfectly. So when it was announced that he would be playing a character completely opposite to his usual roles, I was intrigued. I knew I had to watch this show as soon as it aired.

From the moment he stepped onto the screen, he stole the spotlight and captivated audiences with his charm. Even my aunt pointed out how much she loved seeing Haru’s mischievous smile. Casting him in this role gave him the opportunity to showcase his range as an actor.

Gaku, played by Hayato Sano, was another incredible addition to the talented ensemble. While detailing everything I loved about Gaku would risk giving away too many spoilers, one thing is for sure: he was the perfect partner-in-crime. I also loved how we got to see his character grow over time.

And let’s talk about the women in this show! Mio Iwata was sassy and fearless. It was impossible not to love her—she had beauty, brains, and an impeccable sense of fashion. The tension between Kiri and Haru was such a delight to watch whenever it came up.

Rounding out the Trillion Game trio was Riko Fukumoto’s Rinrin, who I believe served as the story’s moral compass. Her portrayal of a president striving to do what’s best for everyone, despite the challenges, was admirable. You can’t help but root for her and the rest of the team.

I also believe that the show was pretty straightforward with its goals. After the first episode, the audience was given an idea of what seemed to be the show's endgame: reaching the trillion-dollar goal by following a roadmap. What everyone was really here for though, was seeing how Haru, Gaku, and Rinrin would make this goal a reality.

Even though it sometimes feels like you have to suspend your disbelief (because not everything can be solved by the power of friendship), there’s something so compelling about giving in to that illusion even just for a bit.

Long story short, Trillion Game is a drama that you do not want to miss. By the time it ends, you would want to hop on a time machine to go straight to 2025 for the movie release.

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Snow Man is a delight to watch.

The closest thing I knew of Kabuki prior to watching this was when I played a Japanese mobile game about a theater company back in 2018. Since then, I have always wondered what a real Kabuki performance looks like, especially during the time when I became really invested in watching different stage plays.

It seemed like the universe heard my plea and gave me a film starring Snow Man in a Kabuki production, showcasing their range as artists. What's even more fascinating is that I didn't have to scour the ends of the internet to watch it, as it is readily available on Netflix in my country.

Takizawa Kabuki Zero 2020 is such a delight to watch as both a theater fan and a Snow Man fan. The film successfully blends the traditional aspects of Kabuki with the modern elements of a concert. The first act highlighted Snow Man's dancing and acrobatic abilities, while the second act mainly focused on their acting skills.

Overall, it was a truly entertaining show. We were able to see everyone's dynamics from time to time, and each member had the chance to shine in one way or another. I genuinely hope that Snow Man continues to do more theater—both live and on film—because they are a joy to watch.

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