TMTPOST -- Shares of South Korean companies tied to Netflix’s hit series Squid Game plummeted on Friday following a less-than-anticipated debut for the new season. Artist United Inc., a movie distributor and marketing firm where Squid Game’s lead actor Lee Jung-jae holds the largest stake, saw its stock fall by the daily limit of 30%. Wysiwyg Studios Co., another investor in Artist United, dropped as much as 25%, while Dexter Studios Co., a Korean partner of Netflix, saw a 24% decline. The first season of Squid Game was a massive global success upon its 2021 release, boosting local entertainment stocks on the back of high expectations for Netflix’s next big hit. The series became the most-watched title on the streaming platform worldwide and was the first non-English-language show to be nominated for Best Drama at the Emmy Awards. Season two, released on December 26, faced high expectations but received mixed reviews. While some critics were less enthusiastic, it still garnered approval from 85% of critics and 65% of viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.