Squid Game’s Director Faces a Tough Choice for the Next Season
Netflix’s juggernaut Squid Game has become the streaming platform’s most‑watched show of all time. In the mix of memes, green tracksuits, and endless commentary, the series’ visionary, Hwang Dong‑hyuk, is now wrestling with a pivotal question: how to bring back characters that fans hate—yet love—while keeping the drama’s edge razor‑sharp.
What’s Going On?
- Drama’s Core: A brutal survival game where cash‑strapped contestants must navigate childhood games to win life‑changing sums of money.
- Historical Moment: The show won huge Emmy awards last week—Hwang snagged “Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series” and lead star Lee Jung‑jae took “Best Actor in a Drama.”
- Fan Fallout: The characters’ fates are hot topics online; many fans want to see a few, while others fear the story could lose its sharp bite.
- Marketing Buzz: From memes to Halloween costumes, the green tracksuits have popped up on every corner store.
Hwang’s Predicament
“It’s a real brain‑twist,” Hwang told reporters, “to think about reviving dead characters—should we do it, or keep the stakes hard and fresh?”
The director admits that reviving certain characters could enrich the plot, but it risks dragging the pacing down. With the second season on the horizon, he’s looking for a sweet spot where the drama stays tight while giving fans the emotional payoff they’ve craved.
Looking Ahead
For now, the exact approach remains shrouded in mystery. One thing is for sure: the stakes are high, and the audience’s appetite for twists and turns is only growing. Keep an eye out for how Squid Game’s creative squad will juggle this delicate balance in season 2.
<img alt="" data-caption="Lee Jung-jae holds his Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series for Squid Game and Hwang Dong-hyuk, for his Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series for Squid Game at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, US, on Sept 12, 2022.
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Hwang’s Dilemma: Trying to Bring Back Fan‑Favorites
Hwang, the creative mastermind behind Squid Game and a proud Asian Emmy winner, is gearing up for season two while wrestling with a thorny storyline choice.
What’s in Hwang’s Head
- Already has a pack of “games” ready for the next series
- Writers are pulling a fresh script
- But the ghosts of Ji‑young and Sae‑byeok still haunt him
During a joint press conference in Seoul with the cast and crew, Hwang admitted, “I want to revive Ji‑young, but her best friend Sae‑byeok also died, so I’m stuck. What should I do?”
He also said, “So many beloved characters died. I didn’t foresee this—sorry for killing them so quickly.”
Season Two: When It’s On
The new season is slated to be filmed next year, with a 2024 release ticket.
Emmy Glory vs. Missing the Big Prize
Hwang’s directing win at the Emmys was a dream come true, but missing out on “Best Drama Series” felt like a sting. The award went to HBO’s Succession.
He shared the bittersweet moments: “The best drama award would be the moment we all get on stage together—this is what I longed for.”
With a playful grin, he added, “When I heard the ‘S’ sound at the announcement, I thought it said ‘squid,’ but it turned out to be ‘Succession.’ Still, a small disappointment.”
