In an exclusive interview on the set of Squid Game‘s second season, director Hwang Dong-hyuk opens up about the incredible stress he endured while shooting the first series, revealing that he lost not just six, but “eight or nine” teeth.
The dystopian Netflix hit, which pits debt-ridden contestants against each other in life-or-death children’s games, became a global phenomenon. But despite its massive success, Hwang initially swore against making a second season. So what made him change his mind?
“Money,” he says with a laugh. “Even though the first series was such a huge global success, honestly I didn’t make much. So doing the second series will help compensate me for the success of the first one.”
Hwang also admits there was more to the decision: “I didn’t fully finish the story.” The first season, which highlighted the dark realities of wealth inequality, ended with almost every character dead, leaving Hwang to start anew for season two—this time with heightened expectations from fans worldwide.
With three years having passed since the first season, Hwang is more pessimistic than ever about the state of the world, pointing to ongoing wars, climate change, and growing wealth disparity. He believes the world is becoming increasingly divided, with new lines drawn between generations, genders, and political ideologies.
Hwang intends to reflect this growing factionalism in the new season. He shares details about the set, revealing that contestants now have to choose sides after each game, with a majority vote determining whether they continue to fight or leave the game. The new dynamic, he says, will drive deeper division and conflict among the players, mirroring the global trend toward tribalism.
As for the violence that shocked viewers in the first season, Hwang stresses that it’s intentional, designed to provoke thought about humanity’s future. “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.
Though season two will explore more about the mysterious Front Man, played by Lee Byung-hun, who was a masked enigma in the first season, the audience will learn more about his motivations and backstory. This will allow Lee to express himself more fully, after spending much of the first season hidden behind his mask.
Hwang’s journey to creating Squid Game was long and difficult, having spent 10 years struggling to get the show made while taking out loans to support his family. He eventually found success with Netflix, but his modest upfront payment for the series means he missed out on a larger share of the show’s earnings, which are estimated to be around £650 million. This experience has left him ambivalent about streaming platforms like Netflix, which have transformed the South Korean entertainment industry but also left creators feeling financially undervalued.
Hwang’s struggle mirrors the frustrations many South Korean creators feel with the current system. Many argue that the streaming model, which doesn’t share profits with creators like traditional TV reruns or box office sales, has resulted in unfair compensation. In response to these concerns, a collective of South Korean film and TV professionals is pushing for changes to the country’s outdated copyright laws.
Despite these challenges, Hwang is optimistic that his openness about his own financial struggles will spark change. As filming wraps for season two, he admits his teeth are hurting again. “I haven’t seen my dentist yet, but I’ll probably have to pull out a few more very soon,” he laughs.
Squid Game season two will be available for streaming on Netflix starting December 26, 2024.
