Netflix fans' prayers have been answered as the Squid Game season three first look trailer included the surprise return of old characters. 

The teaser, released earlier this week, for the next installment of the Netflix show, sees the so-called VIPs make a comeback on our screens. 

The South Korean dystopian thriller, first released in 2021 to massive acclaim, sees 456 players in financial difficulty play a series of life-or-death games, with the survivor winning a cash prize. 

The masked VIP characters were the anonymous wealthy spectators the games were designed for, but they were not seen in the second season. 

But now they are back for the highly anticipated third season, set for release on Netflix on June 27. 

Fans were not keen on the VIPs in the first series, with their strange masks and unnatural voice acting - but with the characters seemingly overhauled, they are feeling more open-minded this time round. 

The VIPs speak English in an otherwise entirely Korean-language TV show - and fans felt show creator Hwang Dong-hyuk did not write the most natural-sounding English dialogue in the first series. 

It was also felt the show had not been able to cast as high-quality English actors as they might have wanted.

Though pop and Korean culture commentator Kayti Burt did note: 'The phenomenon of bad foreign-language acting is not specific to Squid Game, nor is specific to Korea. 

'It’s logical to assume that any country’s entertainment industry would have a harder time casting good actors in a language that is not native to that country, especially when you think about how that pool is further diminished by work visa requirements.' 

But with the massive success of the show since the VIPs last featured in series one, it is thought among fans that season three might have had better luck recruiting more convincing English talent for the roles. 

The new VIPs are different from the previous all-male cast, with at least two women in the group. 

The characters' outfits are also different, with smaller masks and less ornate, gaudy clothes in some cases. 

Fans took to Reddit to speculate about how the casting changes will come across on-screen, with one saying: 'Two female VIPs this time. Interesting.' 

Others added: 'Adding a female VIP was definitely an interesting move. 

'I've got a feeling she's going to be way more twisted and vile than the 69 VIP [named for betting on Player 69] from series one'; 

 'About time a female VIP is present';  'There are more VIPs than the original series one VIPs'; 

'It surprised me that there is a completely new set of them and no one from series one returns. It's like they are aware of the criticism of the original VIPs and decided to replace them.' 

As to the outfits, one user said: 'These seem to dress more like a wealthy/powerful person would and not the loud, gaudy colours like season one.'  

The characterisation seemed to be much more genuinely scary and serious than silly this time round, one noted: 'They seem crueller and more serious than the ones in series one.' 

Another agreed: 'I think they [will] be more serious and mature compared to the goofy guys from series one', while someone replied to them, 'Way more creepy too'. 

Some were really positive, with one saying, 'They look cool, really cool', and another adding, 'The one with the bird mask looks cool'. 

But a small number of users were just as sceptical of the VIPs as they were when watching series one, saying: 'They're bald as hell and masks are so small lol, seems funny.' 

Another simply said: 'Lunatics.' 

Squid Game fans were left 'sobbing and emotionally destroyed' after Netflix revealed the 'devastating' twist in this same first season three trailer.

The first look at the upcoming season - which will premiere on the streaming service on June 27 - was dropped on YouTube earlier this week and it looks like it is definitely not one to miss.

Protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) was seen being brought back into their sleeping area in a coffin, to which the remaining players twist a silver button to receive a ball - which appeared to indicate what team they will be in.

One heartbreaking scene showed Geum-ja (Kang Ae-sim) and Yong-sik (Yang Dong-geun) with different coloured balls - highlighting that they will be against each other.

Right at the end Kim Jun-hee (Jo Yu-ri), who was secretly expecting a baby while playing the game, looked straight into the camera with a tear down her face... which was followed by a baby's cry.

Squid Game season one and two is available to stream on Netflix. Season three will premiere on on June 27.