Hwang Dong-hyuk, the director of the global sensation Squid Game, opens up about the immense stress during filming that led to his losing teeth. While he discusses the financial incentives for producing a second season, he also sheds light on the challenges faced by Korean creators in the streaming era. As societal issues permeate his work, Hwang hopes to spark conversations about fair compensation for creators in the industry as the new season approaches.
The Cost of Creation: Hwang Dong-hyuk Reflects on Squid Game's Impact and Struggles
The Cost of Creation: Hwang Dong-hyuk Reflects on Squid Game's Impact and Struggles
As the director gears up for the second season of Squid Game, he reveals the personal and industry-wide challenges he's faced, including financial struggles and the pressure of expectations.
In a recent interview, Hwang Dong-hyuk, creator of the blockbuster Netflix series Squid Game, candidly confessed that the pressure of his debut season took a toll on him both physically and mentally, resulting in the loss of eight or nine teeth. As he stands on the set of the highly anticipated second season, Hwang reflects on what it took to bring his vision to life and the added stress he now feels, given the unprecedented expectations following the series' worldwide acclaim.
Initially swearing off a sequel due to the traumatic experience of production, Hwang’s views changed when financial considerations came to the fore. “Money,” he says outright, explaining that despite the first season's overwhelming success, he had not reaped substantial financial rewards. "Doing the second series will help compensate me for the success of the first one too," he adds. Furthermore, he confesses he felt the narrative left unfinished, prompting a desire to elaborate on the story.
The groundbreaking first season of Squid Game took the world by storm, exposing deep-seated issues related to wealth inequality. However, with most of the original characters killed off, Hwang faces the challenge of crafting a fresh storyline and cast for the next installment, all while navigating increased audience attention. “The stress I feel now is much greater,” he admits.
Over the past three years since the show premiered, Hwang’s perspective has darkened, citing global conflicts, climate change, and escalating inequality as contributing to his pessimism about the state of the world. His current project aims to portray these themes more vividly, indicating that the second season will further explore notions of tribalism and division within society. This thematic evolution is reflected in the new dynamics among characters, highlighted by a split dormitory floor where players must pick sides, ultimately marking a move towards more intense factional conflicts.
Despite the violent narratives previously criticized by some viewers, Hwang, with consideration, ensures that each portrayal of violence serves a purpose in illustrating the turmoil of contemporary existence. He continuously questions humanity’s ability to overcome divisive behavior brought forth by societal changes, albeit unsure of the answer.
Moreover, the second season aims to address specific plot gaps from the original series, such as the motivations behind the game's existence and the past of the enigmatic Front Man, with the actor Lee Byung-hun hinting at deeper explorations of his character in the upcoming episodes.
Hwang's initial battle with the industry was far from easy, having fought ten years to get Squid Game off the ground, accumulating personal debts in the process. Despite the immense financial earnings the show generated for Netflix, his monetary compensation from the platform was modest, a sentiment echoed by many creators in South Korea who feel shortchanged. This ongoing battle for fair compensation has culminated in filmmakers and writers forming collectives to voice their concerns.
The South Korean government's lack of decisive action to amend copyright laws also looms over the creative landscape, leaving many creators hesitant to invest fully in new projects. Writers like Park Hae-young are mindful of the unsatisfactory compensation structure and express reluctance to put their all into new work without assurance of fair compensation.
As the release date for Squid Game Season 2 approaches, Hwang hopes that discussions about the dire need for reform will gain traction, ultimately improving conditions for creators within the industry. Although still facing physical repercussions from his artistic endeavors, such as potential dental issues, Hwang remains resolute in his commitment to tackling real-world issues through his storytelling.
The second season of Squid Game is set to be available on Netflix on December 26, 2024.
Initially swearing off a sequel due to the traumatic experience of production, Hwang’s views changed when financial considerations came to the fore. “Money,” he says outright, explaining that despite the first season's overwhelming success, he had not reaped substantial financial rewards. "Doing the second series will help compensate me for the success of the first one too," he adds. Furthermore, he confesses he felt the narrative left unfinished, prompting a desire to elaborate on the story.
The groundbreaking first season of Squid Game took the world by storm, exposing deep-seated issues related to wealth inequality. However, with most of the original characters killed off, Hwang faces the challenge of crafting a fresh storyline and cast for the next installment, all while navigating increased audience attention. “The stress I feel now is much greater,” he admits.
Over the past three years since the show premiered, Hwang’s perspective has darkened, citing global conflicts, climate change, and escalating inequality as contributing to his pessimism about the state of the world. His current project aims to portray these themes more vividly, indicating that the second season will further explore notions of tribalism and division within society. This thematic evolution is reflected in the new dynamics among characters, highlighted by a split dormitory floor where players must pick sides, ultimately marking a move towards more intense factional conflicts.
Despite the violent narratives previously criticized by some viewers, Hwang, with consideration, ensures that each portrayal of violence serves a purpose in illustrating the turmoil of contemporary existence. He continuously questions humanity’s ability to overcome divisive behavior brought forth by societal changes, albeit unsure of the answer.
Moreover, the second season aims to address specific plot gaps from the original series, such as the motivations behind the game's existence and the past of the enigmatic Front Man, with the actor Lee Byung-hun hinting at deeper explorations of his character in the upcoming episodes.
Hwang's initial battle with the industry was far from easy, having fought ten years to get Squid Game off the ground, accumulating personal debts in the process. Despite the immense financial earnings the show generated for Netflix, his monetary compensation from the platform was modest, a sentiment echoed by many creators in South Korea who feel shortchanged. This ongoing battle for fair compensation has culminated in filmmakers and writers forming collectives to voice their concerns.
The South Korean government's lack of decisive action to amend copyright laws also looms over the creative landscape, leaving many creators hesitant to invest fully in new projects. Writers like Park Hae-young are mindful of the unsatisfactory compensation structure and express reluctance to put their all into new work without assurance of fair compensation.
As the release date for Squid Game Season 2 approaches, Hwang hopes that discussions about the dire need for reform will gain traction, ultimately improving conditions for creators within the industry. Although still facing physical repercussions from his artistic endeavors, such as potential dental issues, Hwang remains resolute in his commitment to tackling real-world issues through his storytelling.
The second season of Squid Game is set to be available on Netflix on December 26, 2024.
