"Day 1 at the new job vs Day 2": Fans react hilariously to the Lee Jung-jae's Squid Game season 1 vs season 2 still

The stark transformation of Lee Jung-jae’s character between Squid Game seasons 1 and 2 has sparked a wave of hilarious fan reactions, with one tweet perfectly summarizing it:

"why he look so much older it’s just been 3 years 😭😭."

The first season, which dropped in 2021, featured Lee’s character Seong Gi-hun looking hopeful despite the life-or-death games he was thrust into. Fast forward to season 2, and the once-lucky survivor has aged visibly—and fans have not let it slide.

Lee’s new look has become a meme magnet, particularly one still from the second season where the visual contrast is too hard to ignore. Fans have flocked to social media, using the side-by-side images to create memes about everything from work-life balance to the existential crisis of aging. Let’s dive into the best of these fan reactions.

---

Fans react hilariously to Lee Jung-jae's Squid Game season 1 vs season 2 still

Social media, particularly X (formerly Twitter), has become a playground for fans reacting to Lee Jung-jae’s aged appearance between Squid Game’s two seasons. One fan kicked things off with the now-viral comparison:

"Day 1 at the new job vs Day 2." It struck a chord with fans and quickly became the perfect metaphor for the struggles of real-world responsibilities versus initial enthusiasm.

Another user chimed in with,

"bro is not making it to season 3 😭😭,"

poking fun at the exhaustion Gi-hun seems to radiate after surviving round one of the games. And it didn’t stop there—fans across the board pointed out how time has not been kind to Gi-hun.

"2019 vs 2024" one fan wrote, comparing the seasons like a before-and-after shot of a particularly tough job stint.

Some couldn’t resist adding even more to the meme-able moment.

"Getting the job vs getting more work,"

tweeted one, illustrating how life seems to pile on more challenges just when you think you’ve made it. Another tweet took a slightly more analytical approach:

"Season 1 was released years after it was conceptualized and filmed."

Fans began to wonder if this gap had something to do with the visible aging of Lee’s character.

But it wasn’t all about work or weariness. One fan humorously speculated,

"Because he’s vegan,"

suggesting the leaner, gaunter look could be attributed to a lifestyle change. Others took a jab at the fact that season 2 has only seven episodes, with one user lamenting,

"When you’re excited to watch Squid Game 2 but only has 7 episodes."

With so much to say, fans have made it clear that they’ll be watching every moment closely—meme potential included.

---

Squid Game: What to expect in season 2

Since its announcement, fans have been conjecturing about the plotlines of Squid Game season 2, which is eagerly awaited. The first season of Squid Game was planned years before it was shot, but the show didn't start until 2021 because of delays, according to the show's developer.

Fans are now anxious to see if Seong Gi-hun's character growth can equal the intensity of his debut appearance in the upcoming second season. From outward clues like his notorious new pink hair to deeper emotional arcs, Lee Jung-jae has alluded to changes in his character.

A few cast members have also alluded to unexpected and sinister turns. Fans speculated wildly after Wi Ha-joon, who was a key character in season 1, hinted at possible changes in his own storyline. Fans are giddy with anticipation for Squid Game season 2 because of the main characters' appearance changes and the anticipated unexpected twists.