Squid Game: The creator cites the only reason it’s coming back for a second season

The Squid Game phenomenon took the world by storm upon its release in 2021, immersing viewers in heavy-handed social criticism. However, its creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, was not initially determined to continue this series, whose unexpected success turned into a tsunami.

in an interview given to BBCHwang admitted that he only agreed to return for one reason: money.

“Money”, the main motivation behind the second season

When asked what finally convinced him to write and direct the second season, Hwang bluntly replies, “moneyDespite the great success of the first season, it reveals that it did not really benefit from this worldwide popularity from a financial point of view.

“Doing a second season will help me compensate for the success of the first“, he admits. This blunt honesty highlights the frequent gap between the economic benefits of international success and the perceived achievements of the creators themselves.

Return under high pressure

With even higher expectations for this second season, Hwang Dong-hyuk admits the pressure is greater than ever. According to him, the plot of Squid Game 2 deals with new social issues in our time.

“We are in an era of “us vs. them”.” he explains, referring to the tensions that divide our society at various levels, from intergenerational conflicts to political opposition through gender inequality.

A sequel that delves deeply into social issues

This Season 2 should not only answer the unanswered questions, but explore an even darker and divisive dynamic. The main character Gi-hoon, played by Lee Jung-jae, returns to the game to dismantle the system and save the new participants.

In this way, Hwang Dong-hyuk wants to continue using the Squid Game as a mirror of social fractures, highlighting the dangers of an increasingly polarized world. Although money is the initial driving force behind this sequel, Hwang Dong-hyuk seems determined to make it an engaging and critical work and live up to the expectations of fans of the first season.

Season 2 of The Squid Game will be available starting December 26 on Netflix