The creator of Squid Game, Hwang Dong-hyuk, returns to set with intense expectations for the second season of the global hit.
When asked about reports of losing teeth from stress during the first season, Hwang laughs and clarifies, “It was eight or nine.”
As he films the second season of the dystopian thriller, in which debt-ridden contestants compete in deadly children’s games for a huge cash prize, he reflects on how far he’s come—and the price he’s paid along the way.
A second season wasn’t always in the cards. Hwang once vowed never to revisit the stress it took to create the first. But when asked what changed his mind, he responds bluntly: “Money.”
Despite the original series’ global success, Hwang admits his compensation didn’t match. With the second season, he hopes to be compensated fairly for both installments. “I didn’t fully finish the story either,” he adds.
Squid Game holds the title of Netflix’s most successful show, spotlighting South Korea’s TV industry and tapping into a powerful commentary on wealth inequality.
Yet, the high stakes of meeting viewer expectations and a fresh cast of characters and games has only intensified Hwang’s stress. “The pressure now is much greater,” he confesses.
As Hwang observes a world troubled by economic disparity, climate change, and conflict, these themes continue to influence the series’ narrative.
“New lines are being drawn. We’re in an era of ‘us vs. them.’ Who’s right and who’s wrong?” he muses. In the new season, the previous winner, Gi-hun, returns to bring down the deadly game.
This time, contestants must choose sides after each game: either end the contest to survive or continue, knowing only one can win.
The stakes are designed to fuel tension and division, a commentary on today’s polarized world.
Hwang addresses criticism of the series’ violence, clarifying that every scene has purpose. “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.”
The second season will delve into some of the mysteries left unresolved, including the origin of the masked Front Man.
Lee Byung-hun, who plays the enigmatic character, hints at more scenes without his mask, allowing him to portray the character’s complex emotions.
Hwang’s journey to bring Squid Game to life was grueling, marked by years of loans and struggle before Netflix came on board.
While the streaming giant’s investment has elevated South Korea’s entertainment industry globally, creators feel short-changed.
Current streaming contracts often require them to surrender copyright, preventing them from profiting off their successes.
The issue has led South Korean creators to unite for better compensation and copyright protections, pushing for government reforms to ensure profit-sharing.
Hwang’s openness about his own challenges has helped bring attention to fair compensation within the industry.
As he wraps filming, he shares one last detail: his teeth are aching again, and he may need to pull out a few more.
Source: BBC
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