“I’m so sick of ‘Squid Game”— Netflix survivor show creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk admits to exhaustion amidst Season 2 buzz

The hype surrounding Netflix’s hit Korean thriller series, Squid Game, is building up ahead of its second season’s premiere on December 26, 2024. However, amidst the excitement for the upcoming season, its creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, has expressed his exhaustion. In a recent interview with Variety, he admitted,

“I’m so exhausted. I’m so tired. In a way, I have to say, I’m so sick of ‘Squid Game.’ I’m so sick of my life making something, promoting something. So I’m not thinking about my next project right now.”

Hwang's candid comments come as the news of the confirmation of season 3 of Squid Game for 2025 gets announced on December 18, 2024. Although the success of season 1 has given him the motivation to return for a second season, it has taken a toll on him. He reveals that the process of writing, producing, and directing the series has been incredibly challenging.

“I had no intention of doing a second season, because the overall process of writing, producing and directing the series was so challenging. I didn’t think to do another one,” he said.

However, he has pushed forward due to the overwhelming success of season 1. Amidst the preparations for season 2’s launch, Hwang has expressed his desire for a break. He shared that he’s not focused on any new projects and plans to take time off once postproduction for Squid Game season 3 concludes.

“I’m just thinking about going to some remote island and having my own free time without any phone calls from Netflix.”

Netflix’s head of content for the Asia Pacific region, Minyoung Kim, also has acknowledged the pressure on Hwang. She reassures that the team ensured his well-being. In the interviews, Hwang reveals that the stress during the production of season 1 has led him to lose several teeth. Kim confirms that he has not faced the same physical toll during the filming of seasons 2 and 3.

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Squid Game season 2: New challenges, returning faces, and global phenomenon expands with new emotional depth

Despite the strain, Hwang confirmed that the scripts for both season 2 and season 3 were shot back-to-back, enabling Netflix to release the third season in 2025. Lee Jung-jae, a key star of the series, teased that the ending of season 3 would be something unexpected.

Netflix is increasing its promotional efforts ahead of season 2. Events include Squid Game: The Experience installations in New York, Madrid, Sydney, and Seoul. Netflix has also launched a mobile game, Squid Game: Unleashed.

These promotional efforts also include the show's merchandise and brand collaborations with companies like Puma, Domino's, and Xbox.

The upcoming season 2 of Squid Game would explore modern issues like voting, cryptocurrency, and wealth disparity. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed to The Hollywood Reporter on November 12 that the second season focuses on the financial struggles of young people. It was shaped by the pandemic-driven cryptocurrency craze that left many in debt.

Season 2 revisits Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, three years after season 1, as he returns to uncover the game’s secrets. With 45.6 billion KRW at stake, Gi-hun faces new challenges and confronts the Front Man. Meanwhile, Jun-ho, played by Wi Ha-joon, intensifies his search for his brother, In-ho, setting up emotional conflicts.

Returning cast members are joined by newcomers Yim Si-wan, Kang Ha-neul, Park Gyu-young, Park Sung-hoon, Jo Yu-ri, Yang Dong-geun, Kang Ae-sim, Lee David, Lee Jin-uk, Choi Seung-hyun (T.O.P), Roh Jae-won, and Won Ji-an.

Yim plays a disgraced YouTuber seeking redemption, while Park Sung-hoon portrays a transgender woman saving for surgery. Lee Jin-wook plays a father fighting for his daughter’s treatment.

Kang Ha-neul is a cunning strategist, while Park Gyu-young’s character searches for her missing child. Former BigBang member T.O.P stars as Thanos, a fallen hip-hop artist who lost everything to bad investment advice and seeks redemption through the deadly games.

The success of season 1 continues to reverberate globally. As of 2024, season 1 has garnered 330 million viewers and 2.8 billion hours of viewing time, according to Variety.

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Squid Game season 2 is set to premiere on Netflix on December 26, 2024. Notably, the series has already earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Television Series—Drama, even before its official release.