Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of Netflix’s hit series Squid Game, has revealed the intense physical toll that the production of the show took on him, including the loss of several teeth due to the stress of filming.
In a candid interview with the BBC on Sunday, Nov. 10, Dong-hyuk, 53, shared that the pressure of shooting the first season was so overwhelming that he lost “eight or nine” teeth during production. The revelation came after reports suggested he had lost six teeth, a number he quickly corrected.
Despite the health setback, Dong-hyuk noted that the decision to return for a second season of Squid Game was largely driven by financial reasons. He explained that, although the first season became a global phenomenon, bringing in an estimated $800 million for Netflix, he didn’t benefit as much financially from its success.
“I didn’t make much from the first season,” Dong-hyuk admitted. “I received my payment upfront before the release of the series, so I didn’t get to fully capitalize on the success.” He added that working on the second season would help make up for the financial gap left by the first season’s global success.
Squid Game exploded in popularity after its release in September 2021, becoming Netflix’s most-watched series in 94 countries and amassing over 142 million member households and 1.65 billion viewing hours within its first four weeks. Despite the financial rewards of its success, the intense work and pressure took a toll on Dong-hyuk’s health.
While he acknowledged the toll of the first season, Dong-hyuk’s decision to return for Squid Game Season 2 wasn’t just about money. He explained that he felt compelled to continue the story, saying, “I didn’t fully finish the story,” and that there were more narratives to explore in the next installment.
However, the pressure for Squid Game’s second season has only grown, according to the director. Dong-hyuk shared that the global climate has shifted since the first season, making the stress of delivering a successful sequel even more pronounced. “The stress I feel now is much greater,” he said. “New lines are being drawn. We’re in an era of us vs. them. Who’s right and who’s wrong?”
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Dong-hyuk hinted that these societal divisions would play a significant role in the upcoming season. He teased that the characters would return “more desperate and determined” than ever, as they fight to uncover the truth behind the deadly games. This theme of moral ambiguity and societal conflict will be woven into the characters’ journeys, including the return of Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun, the protagonist, and Lee Byung-hun as The Front Man, who has his own complicated backstory.
The creator first confirmed the second season of Squid Game in 2022, following the massive success of the first season. In a statement at the time, Dong-hyuk expressed his gratitude for the show’s worldwide popularity, saying, “It took 12 years to bring the first season of Squid Game to life. But it took 12 days for Squid Game to become the most popular Netflix series ever. As the writer, director, and producer of Squid Game, a huge shout-out to fans around the world. Thank you for watching and loving our show.”
In addition to revisiting familiar faces, the second season will explore unresolved storylines, particularly the mysterious relationship between the police officer and his brother, The Front Man. Dong-hyuk has also hinted at further development for the enigmatic recruiter, who initially gives Gi-hun the invitation to the deadly games.
“There are some other stories in the series that have not been addressed,” Dong-hyuk explained in a 2021 interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “For example, the story of the police officer and the story of his brother, The Front Man. So if I end up creating season 2, I’d like to explore that storyline — what is going on between those two brothers?”
Dong-hyuk also teased the possibility of continuing the narrative arc of Gi-hun, the protagonist, as he seeks revenge against the shadowy figures behind the deadly games. “We could go with Gi-hun’s story as he turns back and explore more about how he’s going to navigate through his reckoning with the people who are designing the games,” he said.
Fans of the show can expect the second season to arrive on Netflix on December 26, 2024. As Squid Game continues to captivate audiences around the world, Dong-hyuk’s insights into the pressures of creating the series shed light on the immense toll the show has taken on its creator, both physically and mentally.
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