When Squid Game, the dystopian Korean drama, became a global phenomenon in 2021, its creator Hwang Dong-hyuk was thrust into the spotlight. However, as he reflects on the making of the first season, Hwang quickly corrects a common rumor about the toll the project took on him. “It wasn’t six, it was eight or nine,” he laughs, referring to the teeth he lost due to the immense stress of filming.....Read Full Article>>
Hwang is currently on set, filming the second season of Squid Game, a show that follows debt-stricken contestants competing in deadly children’s games for a massive cash prize. However, the decision to continue the series wasn’t easy. At one point, Hwang swore he would not make a second season, but something changed his mind.
“Money,” he says bluntly when asked what led to his change of heart. “Even though the first season was a global hit, I didn’t make much from it. The second season will help make up for that,” he admits. “And I didn’t feel the story was fully complete.”
The first season of Squid Game was Netflix’s biggest success, putting South Korean television on the map globally. Its dark commentary on wealth inequality resonated with audiences worldwide. But with nearly all of the first season’s characters killed off, Hwang faces the challenge of creating a new cast and fresh life-or-death challenges, all while managing incredibly high expectations.
“The stress I’m feeling now is much greater,” he confesses. Three years after the first season aired, Hwang’s outlook on the world has become more cynical. He points to ongoing wars, climate change, and the ever-widening wealth gap as evidence of the world’s declining state. “We now see conflicts not only between the rich and poor, but across generations, genders, and political lines,” he says. “We’re in an era of us vs them. Who’s right, and who’s wrong?”
As I toured the set with its playful yet ominous design—brightly colored staircases and intricate game setups—Hwang’s reflections on global division began to take shape in the narrative. In the second season, the previous winner, Gi-hun, re-enters the deadly competition with a mission to dismantle it and save the current crop of contestants. According to actor Lee Jung-jae, who plays Gi-hun, his character is “more desperate and determined” than ever.
In the game’s dormitory, the contestants must choose a side after each game—either a red X symbolizing the end of the game, or a blue circle representing continued competition, even though only one will survive. This dynamic, Hwang explains, will intensify factionalism and violence, mirroring the real-world dangers of living in a society where people are forced to pick sides.
While some viewers criticized the first season’s violence, Hwang makes it clear that each violent act is purposeful. “When making this series, I constantly asked myself, ‘Do we humans have what it takes to steer the world off this downhill path?’ Honestly, I don’t know,” he reflects, acknowledging his deep unease about the state of the world.
The second season will also reveal more about the enigmatic Front Man, whose backstory and motivations will be explored. Lee Byung-hun, who plays the Front Man, hints that while viewers may not warm to his character, they will gain a deeper understanding of his choices.
Despite Squid Game‘s massive success, Hwang’s financial struggles continue. Netflix paid him a modest upfront fee for the show, which is estimated to have generated £650 million for the platform. This has sparked frustration among South Korean creators, who feel shortchanged by international streaming services that claim ownership of the content and offer little in terms of long-term compensation.
Many South Korean creators, including writers like Park Hae-young, whose My Liberation Notes became a global hit, are speaking out. “Without a fair share of the profits, what’s the point of working so hard?” she says, expressing her reluctance to fully invest in future projects under the current streaming model.
Hwang hopes his openness about his pay struggles will help drive change in the industry, particularly around fair compensation for creators. While the conversation around fair pay continues, Squid Game’s second season is poised to further elevate the series and the industry as a whole.
When I catch up with Hwang after filming wraps, he jokingly adds, “My teeth are hurting again. I haven’t seen a dentist yet, but I’ll probably need to pull out a few more soon.”
The second season of Squid Game will be available on Netflix on December 26, 2024.
