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!
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.
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.