The second season of Netflix’s megahit series Squid Game has quickly captured the attention of millions worldwide, bringing back its signature mix of tension, drama, and shocking plot twists. While the new season introduces fresh challenges and unpredictable turns, one familiar element has remained constant—Young-hee, the seemingly innocent yet deadly robotic doll who continues to haunt the “Red Light, Green Light” game. This character, with her haunting eyes and mysterious presence, has become a viral sensation and a central figure in the show’s promotional campaign.
Young-hee, designed as a robotic doll with a simple orange dress and a hair clip, is not just a passive figure. In the high-stakes game where contestants risk their lives for a cash prize, she plays a key role in identifying and eliminating players who dare to move when she commands “Red Light.” Her innocent appearance, contrasted with her lethal abilities, has captured the public’s imagination, turning her into a global meme. She is both a symbol of the show’s tension and an unforgettable character in the Squid Game universe.
Chae Kyoung-sun, the production designer behind Squid Game, explained the inspiration behind Young-hee’s design in a recent interview. The character’s appearance was partly inspired by Chae’s own daughter, who sported a cute bowl cut for many years. The short, bangs-heavy hairstyle of Young-hee was a deliberate choice to evoke a sense of innocence. However, Chae also revealed that the doll’s eyes were intentionally made larger and more “crazy” to amplify the eerie and unsettling nature of the character. The eyes, Chae noted, were crucial to ensuring that the doll’s deadly intentions were unmistakable to both players and viewers alike.
While the character’s design was inspired by personal experiences, the initial concept for Young-hee stemmed from a South Korean textbook cover, featuring a girl named Young-hee. Initially intended to be a genderless figure, the killer doll evolved into the iconic character we know today. As the series exploded in popularity, Young-hee became a symbol of Squid Game‘s unique blend of innocence and violence, capturing the attention of viewers worldwide.
The first season of Squid Game became the most-watched show in Netflix history, a record that the second season has not only matched but surpassed. Premiering on December 26, the second season was watched by a staggering 68 million viewers in its opening week, according to Netflix. The success of the series has had a substantial impact on Netflix’s subscriber growth, with the company announcing a record 18.9 million new subscribers in the fourth quarter, driven in part by the release of Squid Game season 2.
The tremendous success of the show has sparked significant investments in South Korean media. In 2023, Netflix announced a $2.5 billion investment to fund the production of more Korean TV shows, films, and unscripted content, signaling the company’s commitment to tapping into the global appeal of Korean entertainment.
While Young-hee continues to be a central figure in the second season, fans are also getting a sneak peek of a new character, Chul-su, a male doll that was originally intended for the first season. Chul-su will join forces with Young-hee in the next season, further expanding the ominous universe of Squid Game. Chae shared that the design of Chul-su was brought back for season two, where he will be introduced as a “friend” and “partner” to Young-hee, potentially raising the stakes even higher for contestants in the games.
With the third and final season of Squid Game set to release later this year, viewers can expect even more jaw-dropping moments, and perhaps more chilling surprises from Young-hee and her new companion, Chul-su.
