“There are games within games, and I call them psychological warfare,” Jung-jae teases

Lee Jung-jae is teasing season 2 of Squid Game.

The actor spoke with PEOPLE at the show’s Los Angeles premiere on Dec. 12, saying fans have a lot to look forward to with the upcoming season. Talking about his favorite part of filming, Jung-jae reveals “the new games” are the most exciting.

“So I can tell you for sure that you’re in for even more surprises, because there are games within games, and I call them psychological warfare,” he explains. “We have so much of them in season 1. So at one time, you’ll be enemies, the two will be enemies, and then the other time, they will be friends. So you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

“There’s so many twists and turns, so you’re in for a big surprise,” he adds.

Lee Jung-jae.No Ju-han/Netflix

Following the massive success of the first season, which was Netflix’s “biggest series launch ever,” Jung-jae gushes over the fan support he has felt over the release of season 2.

“I want to say that I know that lots of fans are rooting for us,” he notes. “They love us, and what I really feel special about Squid Game is that I not only have Korean fans now, but people all across the globe noticed me and they love me. So I really like that.”

Squid Game is Netflix’s most-watched series in 94 countries, raking in over 142 million member households and 1.65 billion viewing hours in its first four weeks. In June 2022, creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk teased the plot of season 2.

“It took 12 years to bring the first season of Squid Game to life last year. But it took 12 days for Squid Game to become the most popular Netflix series ever,” Hwang said in a statement to Netflix. “As the writer, director and producer of Squid Game, a huge shout out to fans around the world. Thank you for watching and loving our show.”

Lee Jung-jae. Noh Juhan/Netflix

The second installment will follow Jung-jae, who plays Seong Gi-hun, as he enters back into the game.

“Three years after winning Squid Game, Player 456 gave up going to the States and comes back with a new resolution in his mind,” the synopsis reads. “Gi-hun once again dives into the mysterious survival game, starting another life-or-death game with new participants gathered to win the prize of 45.6 billion won.”

In addition to Jung-jae, Lee Byung-Hun, Wi Ha-jun and Gong Yoo will also be returning for season 2, and despite most of the characters being killed off in season 1, Dong-hyuk told Deadline, “I’ll try something to bring them back to season 2.”

New cast members were also revealed during Tudum: A Global Fan Event in June 2023, naming Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Sung-hoon and Yang Dong-guen.

Squid Game season 2 premieres on Dec. 26, 2024 on Netflix.