Squid Game’s Hwang Dong-hyuk on the Price of Success: “I Lost Eight or Nine Teeth”

As filming for Squid Game's second season commences, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk shares the intense stress that led to him losing multiple teeth during the first series, and reveals the challenges he faces in meeting heightened audience expectations amidst global conflicts and societal divisions.

In a candid interview on the set of the highly anticipated second season of Squid Game, director Hwang Dong-hyuk recalls the toll that the first series took on him, jokingly revealing that he lost "eight or nine" teeth due to the immense stress of production. The Korean drama took the world by storm upon its 2021 debut, exposing harsh realities about wealth inequality while raking in unprecedented viewership. However, the success brought little financial reward for Hwang, who admitted that it is the prospect of better compensation that has motivated him to continue with a second season.

Three years post-initial release, Hwang is acutely aware of the dark state of the world, drawing parallels between current global conflicts, climate change, and increasing divides among generations and genders. "We’re in an era of us vs them," he asserts, revealing how this prevailing atmosphere of conflict will inform the narrative of the new series.

This season sees the return of previous winner Gi-hun, who is portrayed as "more desperate and determined," reflecting the character's shifting motivations. The new series will introduce heightened stakes, as contestants will face the choice of survival against the brutal reality of the games, reflecting the increasingly factional nature of modern life.

While acknowledging the potential for violence in the show, Hwang is philosophical about its implications, weighing humanity's capacity to change course in light of current crises. Meanwhile, character arcs will delve deeper into the mysterious masked Front Man's past, offering more context to his decisions and motivations.

Despite the overwhelming success of Squid Game, Hwang has spoken candidly about the financial hardships faced by creators in South Korea's entertainment industry amidst the rise of international streaming platforms like Netflix. Many creators feel compelled to relinquish their rights and earnings upon signing contracts, a concern shared by other South Korean filmmakers who struggle with outdated copyright laws that fail to protect their interests.

Meanwhile, as the industry grapples with these issues, Hwang's openness about his struggles may inspire a necessary conversation around fair compensation and labor rights, benefiting the community of creators he represents. Nonetheless, as filming continues, Hwang humorously reveals yet another potential dental issue, indicating that the pressures of creativity remain a significant burden, even against the backdrop of worldwide acclaim. The second season of Squid Game is set for release on December 26, 2024.