Squid Gamecreator Hwang Dong-hyuk reveals why he returned to make season 2 despite the immense stress of making season 1. Following its debut on Netflix in 2021,Squid Gamebecame a global phenomenonand the most-watched non-English original series in the streamer’s history, a record that the series still holds more than three years later. This success inevitably led toSquid Gameseason 2, which will see Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) determined to end the horrific games.
While speaking with theBBC, Hwang explained thatmoney is the main reason he returned forSquid Gameseason 2, even though making season 1 was so stressful that he lost"eight or nine"teeth. This stress previously made him determined not to make season 2. However, even with season 1’s record-breaking success, Hwang’s earnings were not substantial, as he did not receive a bonus from Netflix, and was only paid as per the original contract. Check out Hwang’s comments below:
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 too. And I didn’t fully finish the story.
What This Means For Squid Game
The Creator’s Return Is A Microcosm Of The Show’s Commentary
WhileSquid Gameseason 1’s endingdid set up Gi-hun’s quest for revenge in season 2, this was not as much of a driving force for Hwang’s return as the financial incentive for returning.It is ironic that a series critiquing capitalism and socioeconomic disparity did not pay its creator for his success, while money also became the primary motivation for him to return and continue the story. This is a reminder of howSquid Gameis only a small glimpse into the much larger and systemic issues that the series explores.
All Squid Game Games In Order: Origins & Meaning Explained
Squid Game centers around a series of innocent childhood games turned dark. Here’s the origin of each game in order, and their deeper meanings.
The financial compensation is better this time, as it should be givenSquid Gameseason 1’sviewership and cultural impact, which even led to Netflix’s popular reality seriesSquid Game: The Challenge, coming to fruition. Nevertheless, Hwang says that"The stress I feel now is much greater"due to the high expectations for season 2, made even more challenging by an almost entirely new cast needed after nearly all ofSquid Game’s charactersdied in season 1. This is one of the many factors that contributed to more than three years passing between seasons 1 and 2’s releases.
Our Take On Hwang Dong-hyuk’s Comments
They Encapsulate A Larger Industry Problem
Beyond being ironic,it is concerning that Hwang was not well compensated forSquid Game’s season 1 global success. This likely means that many creators of Netflix series are not being paid as much as they should be, especially since many do not get a season 2 to make up for a lack of compensation in season 1. It is also troublesome to hear about the physical impact that stress had on Hwang during season 1 and that he feels even more stress now. Hopefully, making the rest ofSquid Gamewill not take such a toll on him.
Squid Game
Cast
Squid Game is a South Korean series released in 2021 that follows numerous financially struggling participants who are invited to partake in children’s games with deadly outcomes. As they compete, they vie for a substantial cash prize, all while navigating lethal challenges orchestrated by mysterious figures.
