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Netflix ups the ante in global premiere for ‘Squid Game 2’

!hola - MJ Marfori - The Philippine Star
Netflix ups the ante in global premiere for ‘Squid Game 2’
The powerful ‘1 Million Dance’ number opens the fan event for ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 in Dongdaemun.

Nothing like it. Hands down! Now let me walk you through this half-visual article about the “Squid Game” Season 2 world premiere in Seoul, which happened two weeks ago.

We were part of the handful of Philippine journalists and content creators who immersed in the world of “Squid Game” in Seoul, South Korea and it was the perfect event to end the year with a bang and to remind us of how impactful and intense the massively popular this hit show from South Korea is.

The impact of “Squid Game” transcends all continents and cultures that the event was also a melting pot of invited content creators with over one billion in reach, according to Netflix.

Now that’s massive! The three-day event was full of activities that were well-spaced and bursting with content.

The author interviews the South Korean show’s lead star, Lee Jung Jae.

There were welcome socials at the hip Arzu Cheongdam, where we met Filipino content creators based in Los Angeles, Angelo and Alexandra Marasigan, Nava Rose and Katrina Bruno.

The next day, we started bright and early as we headed to Hongdae, where Netflix transformed a building into the “Squid Game” island.

The author with cosplayer Awie de Guzman at the pink-carpet world premiere.

We were all decked out in the exclusive Puma x Squid Game 2 tracksuit and sneakers as we first headed for activity No. 1, which was a TikTok dance trend, ala Pink Soldiers, which taught to us by the popular 1 Million Dance choreographer Harimu. I was grouped with Kapuso stars Sofia Andres and Allen Ansay, who had natural swagger, thankfully! We then went to design our own sweater, ala “Squid Game,” that got us all excited to sport.

I made one for my husband Oscar, as he was already trying to score my Squid Game tracksuit! Hahaha!

The massive fan activation zone for ‘Squid Game’ Season 2. — Photo courtesy of Netflix Philippines

During break, even our snacks were “Squid Game”-inspired!

The Netflix nacho cheese chips now live in my head rent-free and I hope these merch and knick-knacks will reach the Philippine shores.

To top this, Netflix brought us to a studio and makeup area, where we received exclusive Squid Game makeup and had a group photo to mark the core memory.

But wait, there is more!

We were not yet done with the day as we played the children’s game Yutnori that almost tested the sportsmanship of our members in the team Philippines.

Playing the game though does not mean that it will be in the new season. Now, let’s go to day three!

My jaw dropped when I saw how the beautiful Dongdaemun Design Plaza was transformed completely for “Squid Game.”

The hot pink carpet was spread out from outside until the hallways of the venue, an area looked like a train station with matching salesman ready to play ddakji with you!

If that is not enough, the fan activation zones looked like scenes from the series that will bring in the nostalgia for real!

From the bunk beds, stairs, VIP room, exclusive arcade games and claw machines, it was indeed a fan’s dream coming true to experience this.

In true Netflix fashion, they take their guests’ needs to heart that they arranged an exclusive talent meet and greet with the core cast from season two of “Squid Game.”

Special shoutout to Francis Romero and Portia Trinidad of Netflix Philippines because they managed to put our group front and center to get all the good content with the cast and about the cast.

Yours truly also got to sit down with the cast including the man of the hour, “Squid Game” 2 lead star Lee Jung Jae. I am not stopping here because after our interviews at the posh The Shilla hotel, we went back to DDP for the global fan event and premiere where 1Million Dance opened the show with the “Squid Game” doll Young Hee beaming the crowd with her laser eyes!

It was fantastic! At the end of it all, it was an event that got us talking weeks after it happened and we will continue to talk about it until producers and platforms understand the importance of mounting immersive happenings surrounding a worth show that will surely sweep off the world come Dec. 26 on Netflix.

Promotions are not just promotions anymore. You just cannot say hey, watch us on this date and so on and so forth. In this day when everyone has a narrative and a slant, the audience is yearning for something that goes beyond a title. Something genuine, heartfelt, captivating and impactful and surely Netflix has mastered this department.

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