Squid Game Remains a Hot Topic! Season 2 cast, reality show news, and fans can participate using VR!

Do you still remember the worldwide phenomenon "Squid Game"? The thriller series that challenged humanity in the face of gruesome competition has captivated fans around the world, and everyone has been eagerly awaiting a sequel... even two years after its release. Let's take a look at the recent buzz about the cast of the second season and then see how Netflix allows viewers to "participate" firsthand!

The youngest Baeksang Best Actor and "Celebrity" actress join the cast

In addition to the returning original cast members such as "Seong Gi-hun" Lee Jung-jae, Lee Byung-hun, and Gong Yoo, the second season of Squid Game also features an impressive lineup of new cast members: Korea's youngest Baeksang Best Actor Kang Ha-na, idol-turned-talented actor Im Si-wan, "Celebrity" female lead Park Gyu-young, IZ*ONE's main vocalist Jo Yu-ri, “The Glory" Park Sung-hoon, "MOVING" Yang Dong-geun, "Sweet Home" Lee Jin-wook, and former BIGBANG member T.O.P, amongst others!

Of course, fans are also anticipating resolutions to some of the story threads that are left hanging from season 1, with many questions like how the protagonist will seek revenge, whether the police officer "Hwang Jun-ho" Wi Ha-joon will return, and why the police officer Lee Byung-hun, who was a participant, has become a staff member. Even "Kang Sae-byeok“ Jung Ho-yeon might make a comeback. With so many open mysteries, viewers are excited to see how the story will unfold.

However, before the second season is even finished with production, a new "Squid Game: The Challenge" reality show is set to premiere! That's right, viewers of the show are now invited participate in the "Squid Game” and play for real.

"Squid Game: The Challenge" reality show offers an immersive experience for players

Last year, Netflix offered a $4.56 million prize and publicly recruited 456 contestants from around the world to immerse themselves in the show's scenes and challenge classic levels featured in the show. As long as participants complete each level successfully, they can take home the prize money. This November, the reality show "Squid Game" will be aired (of course, no one will actually be killed).

Couldn't join the reality show? Play the "Squid Game" VR version

Netflix really knows how to please its audience. For the people who couldn't sign up for the reality show, Netflix has developed an alternative solution— they have partnered with Sandbox VR, a developer specializing in making immersive VR experiences, to launch the VR version of "Squid Game”!

Sandbox VR develops location-based entertainment (LBE) experiences with the perfectly balanced VIVE Focus 3 all-in-one VR headset to allow players to comfortably enter the game with their friends and family. Players can play classic levels like “Red Light, Green Light” and “The Glass Bridge" With the addition of VR haptic suits, players can even experience the feeling of falling from a height when they step on an empty platform. In addition, Sandbox VR will create game highlight clips by recording participants' reactions, so that everyone can relive exciting moments in the competition after the game.

What's even more interesting is that since Sandbox VR venues are located globally players from all over the world can play! The scores of all participants will be recorded on a global leaderboard, allowing everyone to see real-time rankings, making this VR "Squid Game" not just a competition between local players and friends, but a true battle with global participants!

Although the fan base of TV series and people who want to experience the game for themselves in VR may be different, Netflix is undoubtedly expanding its audience base through this method, erasing the boundaries between the virtual (TV series) and the real (physical experience). Now that both “Stranger Things” and “Squid Game” have received the VR treatment, which IP do you want to be next?