Squid Game Season 2 came back in December 2024. It was one of the most-watched shows on Netflix again. It had all the right pieces. Squid Game Season 2 was eligible for the 2025 Emmys. It fit the Emmy calendar window & aired on time. And Netflix pushed it as a drama. But the show got zero nominations. That’s right—zero.
This is surprising for many reasons. Season 1 didn’t just get nominated. It won six Emmys. That was a big deal because it was in Korean. Until then, no non-English show had done that. So, people assumed Season 2 would at least get something. But it didn’t. There was no rule keeping it out. Non-English shows are allowed if they meet the release dates. And Season 2 did. So, what went wrong?
Some industry people think it’s the story. The creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, said Season 2 is just part of a bigger arc. He planned it to continue into Season 3. That could make the second season feel incomplete. And Emmy voters tend to reward stories that feel whole.
Critics mostly liked it. On Rotten Tomatoes, it got 86% from critics. On Metacritic, it had a 61 out of 100. Some praised it for being intense, thoughtful, and better with characters. One review said it felt even more brutal and deep than the first one. But not everyone agreed. Some said it was just more of the same. It didn’t shock like the first season. Others felt it dragged things out or played it safe.
What Really Happened Behind the Scenes
Fans did not take the snub lightly. Social media was full of frustration. Many users said it made no sense. Some called it “xenophobic.” One person wrote, “The most watched series in the world is not nominated. This is so stupid.” Another said, “The Academy hates Asian people.” Some felt the Emmy process was just unfair. Others believed the show at least deserved awards in technical categories like set design or editing.
Even Netflix didn’t stay quiet. One of its top execs, Bela Bajaria, said she was surprised and disappointed. She pointed out how much impact the show had. It wasn’t just big in Korea. It was big everywhere, including in the U.S.
Media outlets also weighed in. Variety, Koreaboo, The Playlist, and E! News all ran stories about the snub. They said Squid Game 2 had strong numbers and wide impact. But still, it didn’t land even a single nomination. These reports called the outcome strange and disappointing.
The bigger question became: who did get nominated?
Shows like Severance, The Last of Us, Andor, White Lotus, Bad Sisters, and Monarch: Legacy of Monsters were all in the mix. Most were in English. Most had huge budgets and big stars. Some were based on existing franchises. Others had creative plots or strong emotional performances.
Severance, for example, had a very weird and creepy setting. The Last of Us had well-known actors and came from a popular game. Paradise, a thriller with big Hollywood names, got surprise nominations too. These shows were familiar to Emmy voters. They were safe picks.
That might be why Squid Game 2 didn’t make it. It was in Korean. It continued a story instead of wrapping one. And it didn’t have the same shock value as Season 1. To Emmy voters, it might have seemed like it didn’t bring anything new.
Why Fans Think This Snub Still Matters
Some argue that the Academy still doesn’t take non-English shows seriously. Season 1 was a big win. But it may have been treated as a one-time thing. The Emmy voters might still lean toward English-language shows with American themes. Squid Game didn’t stop being popular. It just became more Korean in its own way. And that may have hurt its chances with a mostly U.S.-based voting body.
It’s also possible that people didn’t know how to vote for a show that feels like part 2 of a trilogy. Since Season 3 already dropped in June 2025 (too late for this Emmy cycle), it might change how voters see Season 2 next year. But that’s speculation.
Another point is that Netflix did everything right. They promoted the show. Netflix followed the Emmy rules. They even had strong reviews to back it up. Yet, it was ignored. That’s not a small thing. It’s a big cultural signal. The Emmy Awards say they are global now. But this snub tells a different story. If a massive show like Squid Game can get shut out, what hope is there for smaller non-English shows?
It’s also important to mention that Netflix led all networks in nominations this year. That means other shows from the same platform did get love. So, the snub wasn’t about Netflix. It was about this show.
In the end, Squid Game Season 2 did everything it was supposed to do. But it still got nothing. That says more about the Emmys than the show. Whether it’s bias, oversight, or just plain voter fatigue, it raises big questions about what kinds of stories get honored.
One thing is clear: Squid Game remains one of the most influential shows in recent history. With or without awards, it changed the global TV game. And people are still watching. Awards may come and go. But impact? That lasts longer.
Our small team pours their hearts into every K‑drama recap. Keeping this site alive isn’t easy — if our work brings you joy, please buy us a coffee. Every little bit helps us keep the lights on ❤️
Want to earn while you shop?
Sign up on Rakuten using my referral link and get cashback + a bonus when you shop online from brands like Shein, Walmart, and more.
🛍 Join Rakuten & Get CashbackThis is my personal referral link — you get a bonus too when you sign up!
How Does this Article Make You Feel?
Kavita Mishra is a dynamic writer and passionate Korean entertainment enthusiast, combining her love for K-pop and K-drama with a flair for storytelling. With a keen eye for the latest trends, Kavita crafts articles that capture the pulse of K-pop idols, chart-topping hits, and the most buzz-worthy dramas taking over screens worldwide.
