Hwang Dong-hyuk on the Secrets Behind Squid Game’s Success

Hwang Dong-hyuk on Killing Off ‘Squid Game’ Characters and Dreaming of Working with Jake Gyllenhaal

The simulated deaths in Netflix’s Squid Game might make viewers gasp, cringe, or cry, but for creator, writer, and director Hwang Dong-hyuk, they evoke a different emotion: happiness.

With the show’s massive cast, Hwang admitted that managing everyone on set was “really difficult.” However, he humorously shared his mixed emotions when characters met their demise. “On their last day, I’d tell the actors, ‘Oh no! How sad! I won’t see you tomorrow,’ but I was always smiling inside,” he said.

As the highly anticipated second season of Squid Game premieres Thursday, fans will once again follow Lee Jung-jae in a chilling secret competition set in South Korea. The stakes? Contestants battling crushing debt vie for a massive cash prize—but losing comes at the ultimate cost: death.

A Dream 15 Years in the Making

Hwang originally conceived Squid Game as a two-hour film 15 years ago but faced rejection from financiers and actors. Setting the idea aside, he pursued other projects before revisiting it as a TV series. Netflix provided the platform to reach a global audience.

“I never in my wildest dream thought it was going to be this huge,” Hwang said, reflecting on the show’s unprecedented success.

Hwang Dong-hyuk’s Insights and Future Plans

AP: What have you learned from Squid Game?
Hwang: I’ve learned not to give up. If you love something and want to create it, it might not work now, but its time could come later. Or, it could inspire something even better.

AP: You’ve finished filming season three of Squid Game. What’s your next project?
Hwang: It’s a feature film set 10-20 years in the future. It’s darker than Squid Game—quite cruel, sad, yet quirky and humorous. I’m excited, but also a bit afraid to talk about it.

From Breaking Bad to Hollywood Dreams

AP: What films and TV shows do you enjoy?
Hwang: I’m omnivorous in my tastes. I watch everything from CNN and Fox News to National Geographic and nature documentaries. I also enjoy soapy Korean dramas and reality TV. However, I rarely stick with a series to the end. Only a few, like Breaking Bad and Why Women Kill, kept me hooked.

AP: Would you direct a U.S. production or work with Hollywood actors?
Hwang: Absolutely. I studied at the University of Southern California and have dreamt of working with amazing talents. While I feel most comfortable directing Korean actors in my native language, I’d jump at the chance to work with the right script. Jake Gyllenhaal is at the top of my list!

Expanding the Squid Game Universe

AP: Season two features more characters. Why the change?
Hwang: Seasons two and three gave me the opportunity to explore more characters. This time, there’s a focus on younger participants. In season one, I believed that being deep in debt typically affected middle-aged people. But today, the landscape has shifted.

Many young people in their 20s and 30s face financial struggles, often resorting to online gambling or risky investments like cryptocurrency. They see hard work as insufficient to achieve even middle-class stability. I wanted to reflect these societal changes in the new seasons.

Teasing Future Seasons

AP: Squid Game season two has already been nominated for a Golden Globe. Can you share any insights about season three?
Hwang: It’s better than season two.

With his mix of humor, reflection, and ambition, Hwang Dong-hyuk continues to captivate audiences as he expands the world of Squid Game and ventures into new creative realms.

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