Squid Games creator admits he made hardly any money from the first series despite the show being Netflix’s biggest ever hit

Squid Games creator admits he made hardly any money from the first series despite the show being Netflix's biggest ever hit

As a child of the 90s, I vividly remember the nostalgic thrill of playing games like Red Light Green and Tug-of-War in my neighborhood. But nothing can prepare me for the rollercoaster ride that is Squid Game Season 2. Having grown up with a Korean mother who instilled in me the virtues of hard work and frugality, I find myself deeply resonating with the characters’ struggles to make ends meet.

In a recent disclosure, the director and brainchild behind Squid Game, Hwang Dong-hyuk, admitted that he earned only a modest amount from the initial run of the blockbuster Netflix production.

Regardless of the South Korean drama breaking records as the most-watched series on the streaming platform, Hwang has expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming second season, hoping it will lead to a larger compensation.

In an interview with Radio Times, Hwang, who tragically lost his father at a tender age, candidly shared his struggles of growing up in challenging circumstances, battling poverty, and constantly striving to make both ends and ends meet.

When questioned about the reasons behind crafting another installment of his popular series, he joked: “Finances! While the initial season garnered immense worldwide acclaim, I must admit I didn’t reap much from it. Therefore, producing a second season will serve to balance out the profits from the first one’s success.

What truly astonished me was discovering the global extent and rapid pace at which the show has spread. Although it’s important to note that this program isn’t suitable for children.

During the time when I was engaged in the first season, I must admit that I hadn’t given any consideration to a potential second season or even if there might be a continuation at all. Instead, I approached it with the hope that the narrative would conclude satisfactorily with the final scene of the first season.

Squid Games creator admits he made hardly any money from the first series despite the show being Netflix's biggest ever hit

Squid Games creator admits he made hardly any money from the first series despite the show being Netflix's biggest ever hit

Hwang noted that he hasn’t stopped working on developing the second series, aiming to replicate its initial success.

He mentioned: ‘To put it mildly, our family wasn’t wealthy. My mother faced numerous challenges to raise us. I believe it’s accurate to say that I’ve had considerable exposure to poverty and struggling to get by.’

Fans of Squid Game found themselves united in anticipation as Netflix unveiled the primary trailer for season two of the dystopian thriller.

The trailer starts off showing fresh contestants being brought in for the sinister game, and then the victor from the previous Squid Game, portrayed by Lee Jung-jae as Seong Gi-hun, makes his entrance.

Inside a car, Gi-hun is confronted by a golden pig-shaped speaker that inquires in a strange manner, “Player 456, what’s your request of me?

To which he replies: ‘Put me back in the game.’ 

At the start of the game, there’s a noticeable contrast between the eager expressions of the novice players and the hardened, seemingly vindictive visage of Gi-hun.

One contestant asks Gi-hun why he came back and he tells him: ‘I’m trying to put an end to this game.’

Squid Games creator admits he made hardly any money from the first series despite the show being Netflix's biggest ever hit
Squid Games creator admits he made hardly any money from the first series despite the show being Netflix's biggest ever hit
Squid Games creator admits he made hardly any money from the first series despite the show being Netflix's biggest ever hit

He appears to take on a leadership role in the game and tells the other players: ‘Those who created this game… we should fight them.’

Some fans have noticed that a character who was understood to have died in season one has returned.

In the role of Jun-ho, portrayed by Wi Ha-jun, we find a relentless police officer, who is utterly committed to tracking down his brother, In-ho, and bringing to light any corrupt activities to the appropriate authorities.

In the heart-pounding eighth episode, I found myself on the edge of my seat as my beloved character plunged over a treacherous cliff, struck by a bullet from no other than my brother. The shockwave coursed through me when I uncovered the chilling truth that my long-lost sibling was none other than the enigmatic Front Man concealed behind the game’s mask. Little did we know that his apparent demise was merely a twist in the tale, leaving us all on tenterhooks for what would come next.

In the trailer, it’s evident that Jun-ho is spotted, kneeling with a gun prepared, among a group of other officers, within a wooded setting.

In one eerie clip, he tricks one of the game’s masked henchmen by playing dead but as the worker checks his pulse, Gi-hun snaps his eyes open.

But fans found one particular part of the trailer to be especially ‘chilling’.

In what looks like the beginning of a powerful uprising, the players chant: ‘One more game!’ 

Those eagerly waiting for the second season, ever since the first one’s triumph more than three years back, were chomping at the bit to share their opinions about the trailer in the comments on YouTube.

One wrote: ‘The “ONE MORE GAME!” chant has given me chills even after one watch of the trailer. 

Squid Games creator admits he made hardly any money from the first series despite the show being Netflix's biggest ever hit
Squid Games creator admits he made hardly any money from the first series despite the show being Netflix's biggest ever hit
Squid Games creator admits he made hardly any money from the first series despite the show being Netflix's biggest ever hit
Squid Games creator admits he made hardly any money from the first series despite the show being Netflix's biggest ever hit

Reflecting on the situation, it became clear to me that Gi-hun struggles with gambling addiction, which explains why he was chosen to participate previously as he was essentially unknown.

He’s absent right now not for the sake of winning the prize, but rather to assist those facing difficulties, as they share a comparable situation to his own.

A second fan agreed, writing: ‘The “ONE MORE GAME!” part from the trailers always give me chills.’

‘Season two is going to be awesome! So hyped for it,’ another commented.

A fourth said: ‘So hyped for another season of Squid Game! Really curious how this will go. 

It appears that Gi Hun is on a mission to bring an end to the enigmatic organization behind the game itself!

We’re looking forward to increased activity, which is fantastic! I’m really thrilled about it and can hardly wait until December to watch it! It promises to be an excellent event during our holiday season over Christmas.

Squid Game Season 2 premieres globally on Netflix on December 26.

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2024-12-11 05:04

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