As anticipation builds for the second season of "Squid Game," which premiered on December 26, 2024, one element remains unchanged: the chilling presence of Young-hee, the seemingly innocent robotic doll. In the series, contestants must navigate deadly games, and Young-hee plays a critical role in the "Red Light, Green Light" game, where she eliminates players who move when they shouldn't.
Dressed in a simple orange dress and adorned with a hair clip, Young-hee has become a viral sensation, featured prominently in the promotional efforts for the show. Chae Kyoung-sun, the production designer, revealed that her daughter's cute bowl haircut inspired the doll's design. "I wanted to create a character with a very short bang, reminiscent of my daughter's hairstyle," Chae explained. "Her large, expressive eyes were designed to enhance her menacing presence."
The initial concept for Young-hee was inspired by a girl of the same name seen on the covers of old South Korean primary school textbooks. Interestingly, the doll was initially conceived as genderless, but evolved into the iconic character recognized by fans worldwide.
The first season of "Squid Game" shattered viewing records, making it Netflix's most-watched show. With the release of the second season, expectations soared, and it quickly became the most-viewed show during its premiere week, attracting 68 million viewers.
Netflix recently announced a record gain of 18.9 million subscribers in the fourth quarter, largely attributed to the success of "Squid Game." In 2023, the streaming service committed $2.5 billion to produce Korean films and series.
Reflecting on the show's impact, Chae attributed the character's popularity to its unexpected nature. "The transformation from a cute doll to a ruthless killer resonates with audiences seeking fresh and unconventional narratives," she said.
Looking ahead, viewers can expect the introduction of Chul-su, a male doll that will appear alongside Young-hee in future seasons. Chae noted that she had retained her original sketches of Chul-su from the first season, viewing him as a companion to Young-hee.
The third and final season of "Squid Game" is anticipated to be released later this year.
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