Another round of ‘Squid Game’? Hwang Dong-hyuk mulls the odds of a second season

Writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk had been working on ‘Squid Game’ since 2008; will it take that long to see a second season?

Another round of ‘Squid Game’? Hwang Dong-hyuk mulls the odds of a second season
(Image: Netflix)

Mere two weeks after its Netflix debut, Squid Game has undoubtedly kept audiences at the edge of their seats for the right reasons. The high-stakes survival drama, which is poised to be the streaming platform biggest show yet, is reaping all sorts of success with its cutthroat games and suspenseful storytelling.

Thus, the question stands: will we see more of it?  In an exclusive interview with Variety, “Squid Game” writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk reflected on the thriller series’ triumph, and pondered over the possibility of a sophomore season.

According to Hwang, making “Squid Game” was “a long and stressful process and not something he is planning to repeat,” at least not in the immediate future. Putting a team together was also a factor for him, which he says he’s “not great at.”

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(Image: Netflix)

I don’t have well developed plans for ‘Squid Game 2.’ It is quite tiring just thinking about it,” said Hwang. “But if I were to do it, I would certainly not do it alone. I’d consider using a writers’ room and would want multiple experienced directors.”

Hwang first conceived the idea and began writing in 2008. In 2009, he finished the script for the series’ maiden season — all nine Netflix original episodes — by himself. Speaking to Variety, Hwang shared that “it took him six months to write and rewrite the first two episodes,” thus proving the painstaking process that it took for Squid Game to see the light of day.

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(Image: Netflix)

Unfortunately, he had to shelf the idea for the meantime to make way for the production of his hit films Silenced (2011), Miss Granny (2014), and The Fortress (2017).

“At the time, it seemed very unfamiliar and violent,” Hwang told Netflix. “There were people who thought it was a little too complex and not commercial. I wasn’t able to get enough investment and casting was not easy. I dabbled in it for about a year, but I had to put it to sleep then.”

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(Image: Netflix)

Moving forward, Hwang told Variety that he plans to return to making feature film before he sinks his hands on a “Squid Game” sequel. Hwang is currently working on a draft of a film indefinitely named “KO Club,” an inter-generational war project that’s short for “Killing Old Men Club.”

Art Daniella Sison

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