‘Squid Game’ and 6 K-Dramas in the Process of Developing Second Seasons

The popularity of K-drama across streaming platforms has creators and directors open to developing second seasons. Dramas like 'Sweet Home' are bringing back fan-favorite actors to continue where cliffhangers left off but are still in the filming stages.

by Gabriela Silva

Published on April 5, 2022

4 min read

The global fame of Korean dramas has led to a break in a common rule. K-drama fans are well aware that part of the allure of dramas is their one-season storyline. With the success of Squid Game and other well-known K-dramas, writers and producers have become open to giving fans second seasons. With many dramas due to return, here is a list of what is currently in the works.

'Squid Game' K-drama main characters wearing green tracksuits in relation to second seasons. — ‘Squid Game’ K-drama main characters | via Netflix

‘D.P.’ K-drama gets a second season after immense response to its military storyline

Before Squid Game, Netflix’s D.P. had audiences in a vice grip with its dark and reality-filled storyline. D.P. starred Jun Hae-in as a newly enlisted Army soldier. Ahn Joon-ho sees firsthand the mistreatment of young recruits by high-ranking officers. He joins the D.P. team to bring back deserters from the army. Actor Jung explains the K-drama depicts the harsh reality of mandatory enlistment.

Months after the success of D.P., Soompi reported the K-drama would get a second season. Based on a webtoon, the new season will bring back director Han Joon-hee in collaboration with author Kim Bo-tong. Details of the storyline have not been released. It is speculated Jung will reprise his role after showing interest in a second season.

On Twitter, a Naver interview with Han reveals filming will possibly begin in September 2022.

‘Yumi’s Cells’ will continue its story of realistic relationships

Fans fell in love with Yumi’s Cells, starring Kim Go-eun and Ahn Bo-hyun. The K-drama told the story of an ordinary office worker who lost her love cell. With a combination of animation, fans watched Yumi (Kim) experience love again with a game designer named Goo Woong (Ahn).

Yumi’s Cells broke major K-drama rules to show the reality of love and relationships. Before the drama’s finale, a second season was already in the planning stages. According to Soompi, the K-dramas creators planned multiple seasons from the start.

The second season of the K-drama will once again follow Yumi and her quest for love, but this time with the second-lead male character. Following seasons will inhabit a mild theme similar to Sex and the City. According to Soompi, actor Kim began filming the new season in December 2021.

‘Taxi Driver’ K-drama gets a second season but without a leading actor

Taxi Driver starred Lee Je-hoon as an ex-military officer who finds his mother brutally murdered. When the justice system fails, he is recruited to join the Rainbow Taxi company. He takes on the role of a vigilante who offers revenge for victims the system failed. Their services are at risk when a detective catches on to their plans.

In July of 2021, Soompy reported Taxi Driver K-drama would get a second season. SBS explained details, schedules, and filming was still being discussed. Later in December, SBS confirmed a second season would premiere in 2022.

Actor Esom starred in Taxi Driver as passionate prosecutor Kang Ha-na. In March 2022, Soompi reported the actor is unable to join season two due to schedule conflicts.

‘All of Us Are Dead’ Season 2 is still in the planning stages

The next K-drama that gained international fame was All of Us Are Dead, based on the webtoon Now at Our School by Joo Dong-geun. The coming-of-age zombie K-drama centered on a viral outbreak at a high school and a group of friends trying to survive.

As the K-drama became popular, director Lee Jae-gyu expressed his future storyline plans for a second season. Lee explains the first season set the zombie story in motion, with the cliffhanger being a precursor for a new season. All of Us Are Dead Season 2 will shift and focus on the survival of zombies.

Netflix has yet to announce a second season officially, but fans can still have high hopes. Multiple theories can play out and the return of certain lead characters.

‘Sweet Home’ is well underway into a second season after its storyline cliffhanger

Sweet Home was one of Netflix’s biggest successes in the apocalyptic K-drama genre based on a Naver webtoon. The ‘Son of Netflix’ Song Kang starred as Cha Hyun-soo. After losing his family, he moves into a new apartment building. Overnight, chaos descends as humans turn into monsters. The tenants are trapped inside and must find a way to survive.

In July 2021, Soompi reported an industry representative announced Sweet Home Season 2. Netflix claimed nothing had been decided yet and was still in the planning stages. Later in December, Song Kang’s agency clarified reports that the actor has yet to confirm his return.

According to Soompi, some of the main cast is already on board. There have been no concrete details of a second season storyline or cast as Kang recently wrapped Forecasting Love and Weather. A fan on Twitter posted Kang’s manager’s Instagram story showing an official script and filming location.

‘The Uncanny Counter’ will return to Netflix

Fans adored The Uncanny Counter for its unique take on the afterlife, demons, superpowers, and a redemption story. The K-drama cast included Business Proposal’s Kim Se-jeong, Jo Byung-gyu, Yoo Jun-sang, and Yeom Hye-ran. The finale left room for a second season, and OCN reported in 2021 that it is in the works.

Netflix nor OCN have teased fans with an update about a new storyline, cast members, or premiere date. The leading actors have shown their immense interest in returning for a second season but are also in the dark about when it will happen.

‘Squid Game’ is the most anticipated K-drama to get a second season

There is no denying the success of Squid Game changed the outlook on K-dramas. From winning SAG Awards and everything in between, the K-drama struck gold. There has been immense discussion about possible theories that could take place in Squid Game Season 2.

The cliffhanger finale left the door open for Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) to uncover the truth behind the Games and its organization. While fans wanted another season, director Hwang Dong-hyuk needed convincing. He ultimately revealed he has plans for a second season of the K-drama.

He has since confirmed he plans to bring back Gi-hun, and he will dive deep into the Games’ creators. Netflix also released an official statement of their plans to develop the second season. Hwang has also teased how characters could return and the possibilities of a third season.