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Squid Game fans rejoiced on New Year's Day after Netflix unveiled a first look at a major new figure in the series.
Ahead of the release of season three, the streamer shared a short teaser clip to social media featuring a deadly new doll named Chul-su.
The new figure is pictured in the clip opposite the previously featured doll Young-hee.
The latest look at Squid Game season three comes as Netflix appears to have accidentally announced the release date for the new season, though the streamer quickly deleted the post.
Fans on social media were overjoyed to learn more about the upcoming season — which was rumored to star Leonardo DiCaprio — after season two premiered in full on the service earlier in December and became Netflix's most-watched series ever with 68 million views.
The new clip opens with a burst of anxious music as the monumental doll Young-hee, a young girl, is seen from behind.
Squid Game fans rejoiced on New Year's Day after Netflix unveiled a first look at Chul-su, a new doll who joins the deadly Young-hee in the upcoming third season
A group of people who appear to be Squid Game contestants walk toward her from behind, though seemingly without caution, suggesting they're not in the midst of one of her life-or-death games.
Her face is then seen in extreme closeup, which reveals the motion-detecting sensors hidden in her eyes.
She stands in front of what looks like a painted backdrop of a sunset, but the scene then cuts to a reverse shot showing the new boy doll Chul-su, who appears to be facing her and displaying a similarly eerie smile.
The clip takes on a more menacing tone as red and green lights are shown.
There's a piercing chime, and suddenly the green light illuminates.
'Everyone say hi to Chul-su,' Netflix's post read, before it announced, 'Squid Game 3 coming 2025.'
Young-hee was previously featured in the series during a game of red light, green light.
During the game, contestants were tasked with reaching a finish line before a timer went off.
The teaser showed Squid Game contestants approaching the girl doll Young-hee from behind
Her face is then seen in extreme closeup, which reveals the motion-detecting sensors hidden in her eyes
The clip takes on a more menacing tone as red and green lights are shown, referencing the deadly game Young-hee was featured in
However, the giant Young-hee doll was positioned by the field they competed on. Contestants could only move when she had her back turned to them, and any who were still moving when she turned around were eliminated from the game.
In the ultra-violent world of Squid Game, elimination meant that players who were caught by Young-hee's motion sensors or who failed to reach the finish line by the end of the game were summarily executed by unseen snipers.
On X (formerly Twitter), fans shared a mix of excitement about the upcoming season and new doll Chul-su, along with fears that they would be kept waiting for an extended period after season two had ended.
'Yeesssss, can't wait to see Chul-su! 2025 gonna be [fire emoji],' wrote one overjoyed fan.
Another person sounded excited to see 'Red light green light at its finest.'
Other fans couldn't contain their excitement and shared their hopes that season three would be just around the corner.
'I hope it's not [being released in] December 2025,' moaned one X user.
Another person joked that they wanted season three to be available immediately: 'They meant Jan 2 2025 right.'
On X (formerly Twitter), fans shared a mix of excitement about the upcoming season and new doll Chul-su
Other fans couldn't contain their excitement and shared their hopes that season three would be just around the corner
One person pushily advised Netflix: 'Just don't delay this further. Waiting for the final episode.'
Some fans were certain that season three would be another 'banger,' but several fans shared their concerns that season two wasn't up to the high bar set by the hit first season
Squid Game season two, which dropped in December, became Netflix's most-watched debut to date with 68 million views; still from Squid Game season one
According to Forbes , Netflix appears to have leaked its own release date accidentally on social media. One Netflix Korea post didn't include the generic 'coming in 2025' message, but instead said the show would be released on June 27, 2025; still from season two
One person pushily advised Netflix: 'Just don't delay this further. Waiting for the final episode.'
Some fans were certain that season three would be another 'banger,' but several fans shared their concerns that season two wasn't up to the high bar set by the hit first season.
'The episodes of Squid Game Season 2 kind of felt like fillers. Not as exciting as season 1 and very predictable too,' one viewer complained.
Whatever the quality of season three turns out to be, fans may have a chance to see it sooner than some expected.
According to Forbes, Netflix appears to have leaked its own release date accidentally on social media.
One Netflix Korea post didn't include the generic 'coming in 2025' message, but instead said the show would be released on June 27, 2025.
The date, nearly six months from now, would be far shorter than the three-year wait between seasons one and two.
The time frame makes sense, as seasons two and three of Squid Game were reportedly shot back-to-back, so the season is likely close to being completed.
Netflix is no stranger to breaking seasons up and releasing them in shorter segments, though Forbes points out that it's more common for the streamer to release four or five episodes at a time with only about a month separating batches.
Fans will be happy to get back to season three later this year, as season two ended with a shocking cliffhanger.
