Ahead of the release of the second season of wildly popular Netflix series Squid Game, the artist KAWS unveiled a new figurine that mashes up elements of his famous “Companion” with elements of the TV show’s chilling star character, an animatronic doll named Young Hee.

“YOUNG HEE returns,” the artist wrote on Instagram. “To celebrate the highly anticipated Squid Game Season 2 premier, KAWS has partnered with [Netflix, AllRightsReserved and DDT store] to release a set of pieces, reinterpreting the iconic character YOUNG-HEE.”

Additional social media posts featured a reveal between KAWS and BTS band member J-Hope, who unboxes and dons a “Companion” mask before taking a selfie with the Young Hee figure as KAWS looks on.

KAWS x Squid Game figurine. Photo: @kaws on Instagram.

KAWS’s take on Young Hee is a standing figure with moveable arms. She wears an orange jumper over a yellow short sleeve collared shirt. In typical KAWS style she has X’s for eyes, gray, cloud-shaped-ears and white gloves with another signature X that cover her eyes once her eyes when her arms are re-positioned. She also sports white knee socks and black patent leather shoes.

KAWS x Squid Game figurine. Photo: @kaws on Instagram.

The KAWS post had already garnered hundreds of comments including some followers asking for the price of the work. KAWS’s studio did not immediately respond to our inquiries about the price, edition, and inspiration for the series.

According to social media, there will be a limited pop-up store in Shinsegae Gangnam, Seoul, open from December 20 until January 5, 2025. Interested buyers were encouraged to register for international orders at DDT Store beginning on Thursday December 19 at 9:30 p.m. ET and Friday December 20 at 10:30 am Hong Kong time.

Lee Jung-jae in Squid Game, season 2 (2024). Photo courtesy of Netflix.

The second season of Squid Game is set to premiere globally on December 26 on Netflix. Where the first season in 2021 introduced the world to the titular and deadly contest—wherein 456 players vie for a multibillion-dollar prize—the second season follows protagonist Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) as he returns to the game seeking apparent revenge. The series was a commercial and critical hit upon release; it was the streaming platform’s most-watched series in 94 countries and made Lee the first Asian actor to land an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

In addition to KAWS, Netflix has roped in an absolute hoard of other collaborators to create merch to accompany the forthcoming release. Puma and Crocs are churning out Squid Game-branded apparel, while Johnnie Walker is unveiling a themed limited-edition design of its iconic Black Label, numbered one through 456. Korean artist Quenzy has created Escher-like posters for the series, which are dropping on Displate; toy-maker Lucie Kaas is offering cute wooden figurines of Squid Game characters; while Mattel will produce a Monster High Skullector doll in the form of Young-Hee.

Meanwhile, an immersive experience inspired by the series (one presumably less perilous than the fictional contest) has opened in New York and Madrid, and will expand to Sydney later this month.