Hwang Dong-hyuk’s Squid Game Success: Still No Big Bank Balances
When Netflix’s Squid Game blows up worldwide, and the mega‑prize of £28 million (S$52 million) makes headlines, the creator, 50‑year‑old writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk, declares, “I’m not that rich.” He paints an honest picture of the life savings that keep his meals on the table and his stress levels modest.
That “No Bonus” Moment
- Hwang says Netflix paid him as stipulated in the original contract – no extra bonus denoted.
- He jokingly adds, “I lost six teeth from the sheer pressure of making Squid Game!”
- He describes a grueling creative process: physically, mentally and emotionally draining. New ideas came in during filming, and each had to be revised on the spot, multiplying the workload.
From Financial Struggle to Creative Triumph
He draws back the curtain on the inspiration behind the series:
- Down in the late 2000s, after a global financial crash, Hwang’s family faced hardships: his mother retired, a film project stalled, and the whole family had to take out loans.
- His mother, him, and his grandmother bore the brunt of those days.
- It was during this low point that Hwang’s own dreams of survival games started to crystallize.
Comic Book Roots and “What If” Musings
Reading Battle Royal and Liar Game fueled Hwang’s imagination. He talks about how he’d imagined a real-life survival game, and how, as a filmmaker, he could bring a personal twist to the genre. “If there was a survival game like those in the comics, would I join it to make money for my family?” he wonders.
Capitalism Commentary, Not a Thesis
When asked about the show’s social message, Hwang admits it’s only an “anti‑capitalism” commentary, not a profound thesis. He cites the pandemic’s spotlight on inequality: poorer nations struggling to vaccinate, people falling ill on the streets, and even causing fatalities. He kept a light‑hearted tone, reminding readers that the show’s message is more about asking “who’s really wealthy?” than preaching.
The Bottom Line
Despite being the brain behind the show that captured 142 million households and added 4.4 million new subscribers to Netflix, Hwang’s bank account remains modest. He reminds us that creativity can triumph even when the paycheck isn’t enormous, and that the true “profit” is the creative satisfaction and the global conversation sparked by Squid Game.
