The creator of The Squid Game, one of Netflix’s biggest hits, reveals that he is exhausted by the series and wants to disconnect from the project
The squid game revolutionized the world of entertainment in 2021, becoming a Netflix hit which not only attracted millions of viewersbut it also launched an entire franchise with video games, immersive experiences and merchandising. But, despite the cultural impact it had, Its creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, confessed to being exhausted and want to disconnect from the project.
The Squid Game and its expanded universe
Since October, Netflix has been laying the groundwork for the premiere of the second season promotional events in cities such as Paris, Seoul and Los Angeles. Furthermore, they launched The squid game: the experiencean interactive installation that allowed fans immerse yourself in the macabre story of games.
Hwang confirmed this there are more projects in development: “There are some projects where they ask me more actively for my opinion,” he said in an interview with Variety. These include from a possible film adaptation to other creative expansions of the Squid Game universe. However, Hwang pointed this out His priority remains the main series, with seasons 2 and 3 filming consecutively, although he confessed to being physically and mentally exhausted. after a lot of work.
“I’m so tired I can’t take it anymore.”
Hwang’s exhaustion is nothing new. Since the first season, which took almost a decade to come to fruition, the creator has faced enormous challenges. “I wasn’t going to do a second season because the writing, producing and directing process was extremely difficult“he admitted. In fact, he revealed that stress has reached the point of affecting his health: He lost his teeth during the production of the first season.
In this new phase, Hwang confesses that he feels trapped between the high expectations of fans and the need to achieve financial success.. “Even though the first series was a worldwide success, I honestly didn’t make much money,” he explained. This led him to accept seasons 2 and 3 as a solution make up for the lack of revenue gained from the series’ initial boom. Even so, the creator dreams of disconnecting completely once this is all over: “I want to go to a remote island and enjoy free time without Netflix calls.”
Why didn’t The Squid Game have to last this long?
When The squid game debuted, Hwang conceived it as a limited series. “I had no plans for a second season,” he recalled. But the success was so overwhelming that fans and Netflix practically demanded its continuity. Despite the economic benefits, this change in direction has led to enormous pressure on the creator, who must exceed expectations with each new episode.
season 2 of The squid game will be released on December 26, with the promise of taking the tension and drama to an even higher level. The fans are anxious to see how the story will evolve and how Hwang will manage to maintain interest in a universe that, according to him, should have ended after its first chapter.
The cultural impact of The Squid Game is undeniable, but it also reminds us of the dark side successful in the entertainment industry. Creative and commercial pressure It can influence even the brightest talents. Can Hwang find the balance between pleasing his fans and taking care of himself? That remains to be seen, but in the meantime… The legacy of The Squid Game continues to growbringing with it the lights and shadows of a global phenomenon.