KUALA LUMPUR: Netflix's hit survival series Squid Game returned for its second season on Dec 26, amassing over 68 million views in its first week.
The season quickly claimed the top spot on Netflix's streaming charts globally, dominating in 92 countries and marking the biggest debut ever for a Netflix original, Bloomberg reported.
Produced in South Korea, the series was the centrepiece of a massive marketing campaign designed to replicate the success of the first season, which captivated global audiences in September 2021.
Season 2, however, has received mixed reactions.
While some praised its intricate storytelling, others criticised the episodes as slow and repetitive compared to the electrifying first season.
The show's performance has had financial implications, with shares of related stocks, including Artist United, a marketing firm partially owned by lead actor Lee Jung-jae, plunging 30 per cent in South Korean trading the day after the release.
Despite the polarised reception, Squid Game Season 2 remains a cultural juggernaut, with viewer data over the coming weeks likely to shape its legacy.
The first season reportedly generated US$900 million () in value for Netflix, and expectations remain high for this installment.
The series is also in contention for Best Television Series at the upcoming Golden Globes, with the third and final season set to debut in 2025.