Season 1 Sep. 17, 2021 Apr 2026

While Squid Game dominated the headlines, that Friday was a busy day for television. Other major premieres included:

: The season made history at the Primetime Emmy Awards , where Lee Jung-jae became the first Asian actor to win Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for a non-English part. Other Notable Releases on Sept. 17, 2021

: For K-Drama fans, this innovative series also made its debut on tvN/TVING . What's Next for the Franchise? Squid Game: Season 1 Season 1 Sep. 17, 2021

On September 17, 2021, a nine-episode series titled Squid Game dropped on Netflix with relatively little fanfare. Within weeks, it wasn't just a show—it was a global obsession. Created, written, and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk , the series introduced us to a brutal world where 456 debt-ridden contestants risked their lives for a chance at a massive ₩45.6 billion cash prize. Why Season 1 Changed Everything

: The high-profile drama returned to Apple TV+. While Squid Game dominated the headlines, that Friday

: One of Netflix’s other heavy hitters returned for another installment.

The first season struck a chord with audiences worldwide by blending high-stakes survival horror with sharp social commentary on class disparity and capitalism. It wasn't just the deadly games like "Red Light, Green Light" that kept viewers hooked, but the deeply human stories of characters like Seong Gi-hun and Kang Sae-byeok. 17, 2021 : For K-Drama fans, this innovative

: From dalgona candy challenges to the iconic green tracksuits, the show's aesthetic permeated every corner of the internet.