[Focus] Drunk on Drugs, T.O.P Faces Harsh Foreign Media Reactions... 'Ojingeo Game 2' Is Not Easy

Opened 'Ojingeo Game 2' Draws Domestic and International Attention

"Boring Season 1 Rehash" vs "Theme Stands Out"
Foreign Media Split on "Creative Dilemma" Evaluation
Debate Over 'Drug Charges' Top Rapper Role

Still from 'Ojingeo Game 2'. Provided by Netflix

Reactions to Netflix's online video service (OTT) series "Squid Game" Season 2 (hereafter "Squid Game 2") are divided. Reviews from domestic and international media were posted as the embargo lifted simultaneously at 5 p.m. on the 26th of this month, and viewers' feedback was shared in real time on social networking services (SNS). The responses largely fall into two categories: "The artificially prolonged story is boring" and "The expanded story and themes stand out." Overseas, some expressed disappointment that the repeated shooting massacres were portrayed meaninglessly, while domestically, criticism continues over the appearance of singer T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun), who was embroiled in a drug scandal. The buzz is at its peak. It dominates online search terms both at home and abroad, sparking various discussions.

"7-hour-long Season 3 mega teaser" Cold foreign media reactions

Major foreign media outlets unanimously published reviews of "Squid Game 2." The American daily The New York Times (NYT) ran an article titled "'Squid Game' hits a red light," stating, "While the plausible killings are depicted, the story has stagnated." It added, "Those who watched Season 1 will see the same things again," and criticized that "Season 2 fell short of expectations for a sequel to have different thrills and independent variations from the original."

The American newsweekly Time published an article titled "Capitalism killed Squid Game," commenting that "As the IP (intellectual property) was commercialized, the storytelling lost its power." It further pointed out, "Time is wasted on unimportant characters," and "The repetition of murder and anger makes it feel like a rehash of Season 1." It criticized, "It feels like watching a 7-hour-long mega teaser video for Season 3."

The daily USA Today described it as "still violent and more disappointing than surprising." It also criticized, "Director Hwang Dong-hyuk failed to effectively convey the anti-capitalist message he intended." It added, "The latter half rushes into a typical action film and ends without a clear conclusion. It seems like Seasons 2 and 3 were conceived as one story and artificially split to extend the series," delivering a harsh review.

Still from 'Ojingeo Game 2'. Provided by Netflix

The American entertainment media The Hollywood Reporter published an article titled "Netflix's Korean hit lost its 'edge' (unique personality and charm)," reviewing that "Season 2 is disappointing" and "it followed the successful formula of Season 1 exactly." The British daily The Guardian criticized, "Splitting stories to increase profits is a chronic bad habit of American Hollywood," and commented, "It became the highest-grossing series in Netflix history but lacks creativity."

Foreign media commonly pointed out that the depiction of 'blood' and 'massacre' was inappropriate. The NYT criticized, "As the games continue, bloody scenes repeat within twists, which is more painful than entertaining." It added, "If this work is merely a means to show brutal killings, then we are just 'VIPs' (people watching the Squid Game in the series)."

There were also evaluations highlighting the expanded story. The American film trade magazine Variety said, "Season 2 is bigger and more intense," and "It sheds new light on Korean social issues such as exploitation in the capitalist market, moral decay, and class inequality." It expressed anticipation that "Season 3, to be released next year, will be more interesting." However, it also noted, "It is cruel, violent, and filled with bloody scenes," adding, "This is also a symbol of 'Squid Game.'"

On the American film review site Rotten Tomatoes, "Squid Game 2" currently holds a critic score of 82% and an audience score of 60%. Season 1 recorded a critic score of 90% and an audience score of 75%.

T.O.P's line "If you were weak, you wouldn't act like that" and scenes of taking drugs

'Squid Game 2' teaser screen. Provided by Netflix

Domestically, there is much discussion about T.O.P (Choi Seung-hyun), formerly of the group Big Bang, appearing as a 'drug-addicted' rapper. "Squid Game 2" tells the story of Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), who won the first season, returning with a vow for revenge and participating in the game again. A fierce battle unfolds with the Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun). Gi-hun has been searching for the Suit Man (played by Gong Yoo) for three years and, after many twists and turns, joins the game again. T.O.P plays the participant Thanos.

The process leading up to joining the game is depicted in episodes 1 and 2, and the game begins from episode 3. In episode 3, the game "Mugunghwa flower has bloomed" appears, where Gi-hun shouts "Don't move" and "Freeze" to save the participants. Then one participant says, "Isn't that man on drugs?" and Thanos (played by T.O.P) sneers, "No, if he were on drugs, he wouldn't act like that." When the participant asks, "Have you tried (drugs)?" Thanos retorts, "Are you interested (in drugs)?" Afterwards, Thanos looks shocked as he watches a participant dying in front of him and takes drugs. Then, seemingly intoxicated, he suddenly dances or pushes the person in front, causing them to be shot, showing a sudden change in behavior.

T.O.P was sentenced to 10 months in prison with a 2-year probation after it was revealed in 2017, during his police service, that he smoked marijuana four times?twice with a heated cigarette and twice with a liquid form?at his home in October 2016. The role of the 'drug-addicted rapper ruined by coin investment' played by T.O.P in the series has been criticized as mocking viewers. The mention of 'drugs' in the lines written by Director Hwang and the depiction of drug intoxication have sparked debate, with some calling it "inappropriate" and others defending it as "freedom of expression."

Top (real name Choi Seung-hyun), a member of the popular idol group Big Bang, who is accused of smoking marijuana, is attending the first trial held at the Seoul District Court in Seocho-gu, Seoul, on the morning of June 29, 2017. Photo by Yonhap News

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk. Photo by Yonhap News

T.O.P's role is quite significant. Before the release of "Squid Game 2," at the production briefing, Director Hwang said about the casting controversy, "It was not an easy decision," and "Please judge after watching the work." This meant to evaluate based on the actor's performance, but responses to his acting have been mixed. Among viewers, many felt that T.O.P's unstable voice and pronunciation made his lines hard to understand, and the rap-mixed lines felt awkward and embarrassing to watch. Some scenes even drew "laughter," leading to divided opinions.