Hwang Dong-hyuk never expected Squid Game to change his life the way it has—or to take a piece of him in the process. Recently, the Squid Game creator revealed the toll of making the hit show’s first season: an unimaginable level of stress that cost him eight or nine teeth. That’s right—Hwang literally gritted his teeth through every step of the journey until they cracked. On November 10, 2024, he set the record straight, sharing that earlier reports had understated his loss. His revelation gave fans a glimpse of what this global sensation truly demanded, and why he’s chosen to return for a second season despite the sacrifice.
The path to Squid Game was long and steep for Hwang. In fact, it took 12 years to get his script off the ground. Back then, few people were interested in his dark, dystopian vision, and Hwang found himself pouring his own money into supporting his family while he held onto his dream. There were years when he felt completely alone in his vision, even as he went into debt trying to make it a reality. When Netflix finally saw the potential in Squid Game, it felt like a victory against all odds.
And yet, the irony of Hwang’s situation is hard to ignore. Despite Squid Game’s meteoric success—an explosion of popularity that made it a household name worldwide—Hwang didn’t exactly cash in. Due to his deal with Netflix, he received only a modest upfront payment. There were no profit-sharing deals or extra windfall when the show became a cultural phenomenon. So while the world became captivated by his vision, Hwang’s bank account remained mostly the same, and this financial reality was a big reason he’s back for another season.
Season 2 isn’t just about extending the show’s legacy. It’s a chance for Hwang to flesh out the stories he couldn’t finish in Season 1. One of the threads he’s most excited to revisit is the relationship between the police officer and his brother, The Front Man—a connection that, in classic Squid Game style, carries its own haunting secrets. For fans, these lingering mysteries have been tantalizing, and Hwang knows he owes them answers. But giving those answers means reliving the same stressful, exhausting process that cost him so much the first time around.
This time, though, the stakes are even higher. With the global spotlight on Squid Game and its dark, twisted universe, Hwang feels the weight of delivering a story that won’t just satisfy expectations but will take them to another level. There’s a kind of urgency in the world right now, he says, and it’s driving him to make this season even more reflective of society’s struggles. The expectations are daunting, and he knows he’s in for another intense ride.
Adding fuel to the Squid Game fire is Netflix’s new reality show, Squid Game: The Challenge, which launched in November 2024. For the first time, fans have a chance to experience the tension and drama of the show—without the life-and-death stakes, of course. Four hundred and fifty-six contestants are competing for an eye-popping $4.56 million prize. The format mirrors the fictional game’s structure, letting real people navigate some of the show’s most iconic challenges, with a mix of thrill and trepidation that has made the series so addictive.
And the fictional world of Squid Game promises even more twists. In Season 2, Gi-hun, the lone survivor and unlikely hero, is back, determined to dismantle the organization behind the deadly game. But there’s a brutal new twist: after each game, the contestants have to make a choice—continue playing and risk their lives, or walk away and survive. It’s a gut-wrenching decision that pulls right at the heart of Squid Game’s appeal, forcing people to confront how far they’ll go for a chance at something better.
Hwang’s story is more than just a tale of show business success; it’s a story of grit and sacrifice. He gave his body and soul to Squid Game, and despite everything, he’s back for more.
