The creation of “Squid Game” involves challenges as perilous as those faced by its characters in the deadly survival contest they endure. Hwang Dong-hyuk, the visionary creator of the acclaimed South Korean thriller series on Netflix, recently shared with the BBC that he experienced significant physical tolls while filming the first season—specifically, he lost “eight or nine” teeth during production. In a previous discussion with Variety in 2022, Hwang had initially stated that six of his teeth fell out; however, he has since corrected that number, highlighting the high stakes of bringing his ambitious vision to life.
“Squid Game” revolves around the harrowing narrative of hundreds of economically disadvantaged individuals who enter a cryptic competition dubbed a “survive or die” game. This twisted contest offers the allure of a life-changing cash prize to the sole victor, provided they can endure a series of disturbing challenges based on childhood games. Despite the monumental global success of the first season, which became Netflix’s most-watched show upon its release in September 2021, Hwang revealed to the BBC that the financial rewards for him were minimal. “Even though the first series was such a huge global success, honestly I didn’t make much,” he admitted while promoting the second season, which is set to premiere on December 26.
When asked about his motivations for pursuing a second season, Hwang candidly stated, “Money.” He explained that creating this new installment would serve to financially compensate for the success of the first, noting that he had not completely conveyed the story he wished to tell. The foundation for “Squid Game” was laid during Hwang’s reflections on his personal struggles in the wake of the 2009 economic crisis in South Korea, which deeply influenced the themes of the series.
As he embarks on the production of Season 2, Hwang has expressed that the pressure he faces now is exponentially greater than before. Aside from Lee Jung-jae’s character, Seong Gi-hun—the show’s reigning champion who is compelled to return to the game in his quest to end the cycle of violence—this upcoming season will introduce a host of new characters that could add fresh dynamics to the narrative.
Reflecting on the arduous process of creating the first season, Hwang recounted how it significantly affected his well-being. He mentioned how the experience was “physically, mentally, and emotionally draining,” as he grappled with incessant ideas and made continual revisions to episodes even as filming progressed, resulting in a relentless workload.
Despite the cultural phenomenon that “Squid Game” became, Hwang previously highlighted the financial struggles he endured because of it. In an interview with the Guardian in October 2021, he revealed that the success of the series did not translate to financial abundance, stating he had only made “enough to put food on the table.” He poignantly noted, “It’s not like Netflix is paying me a bonus,” emphasizing the disparity between public perception of success and his personal reality.
Looking ahead, Hwang has confirmed that “Squid Game” will conclude its storyline with a highly anticipated Season 3, which is slated for release in 2025. He shared with the Hollywood Reporter that as he contemplated the ending of the series, the conclusion naturally came to him, leading him to believe that it would serve as an appropriate finale. “I believed that with that story, I was able to tell everything I wanted to tell through the story of *Squid Game*,” he stated, adding that he felt satisfied with what he had conveyed from the perspective of Gi-hun’s character.
As the anticipation builds for “Squid Game” Season 2, fans remain eager to dive back into the gripping world that Hwang has intricately crafted. The new season is set to premiere on Netflix on December 26.
