Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Following the astronomical success ofSquid Game, as Netflix announced their plans to bring the highly anticipated show back for a second season, people went into a frenzy. However, while fans are losing their minds over the return of the show, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk revealed the heartbreaking truth behind his return.
Revealing how he made a meager sum, compared to the stress he took while creating season 1—which became a global phenomenon and the most-watched non-English original series in Netflix’s history—Hwang Dong-hyuk explained that money is the main reason behind his return. As per Dong-hyuk, he’s hoping for Netflix to compensate him for the success of both seasons.
Squid GameCreator Hwang Dong-hyuk Didn’t Make Enough Money from Season 1
AfterSquid GameSeason 1’s ending set up Seong Gi-hun’s (Lee Jung-jae) quest for revenge, it became obvious for Netflix to come up with a second season. Especially given the popularity of the show and the groundbreaking success the streamer witnessed,Squid GameS2 became an obvious option.
Golden Globes 2025 May Have Leaked the Biggest Question About Squid Game Season 2
But while Netflix announced their plans for a second run that got fans all hyped for the show’s return,Squid Gamecreator Hwang Dong-hyuk dropped a rather ironic bombshell about his return. Admitting that money was his motivating factor, Dong-hyuk toldBBC, about making significantly less for season 1, despite his show reportedly earning $900M for Netflix (viaLA Times).
Even though the first series was such a huge global success, honestly I didn’t make much. So doing the second series will help compensate me for the success of the first one too. And I didn’t fully finish the story.
Explaining how he was super stressed while makingSquid GameS1, leading him to witness physical impact where he lost “eight or nine”teeth, Hwang Dong-hyuk mentioned that the compensation wasn’t substantial. So now, the creator admitted to returning for a second run, with high hopes of getting fairly compensated.
Hwang Dong-hyuk Hopes to Get Compensated Fairly by Netflix for Season 2
During his interview,Hwang Dong-hyuktold the outlet that the financial compensation is better this time—givenSquid Gameseason 1’s viewership and cultural impact. Therefore, the show creator is hoping for the streamer to pay him, not just for season 2, but also for the revenue he helped generate with season 1.
Squid Game 2 Cast: Netflix Turns T.O.P. into a Villain That We Hate Already
Further, considering how the stress is “much greater” for season 2, due to high expectations based on the standard set by the previous installment, Hwang Dong-hyuk simply hoped for Netflix to offer him his deserving sum. Meanwhile, Dong-hyuk’s comments regarding Netflix’s lack of fair compensation seemed ironic considering how his show critiqued capitalism and socioeconomic disparity.
But beyond ironic, it seemed concerning that Hwang Dong-hyuk invested his time and health in the first season ofSquid Gameonly to make peanuts as compensation. Therefore, now thatSquid GameSeason 2 is set to returnwith Seong Gi-hun putting an end to the horrific games, it can only be hoped that Dong-hyuk gets his fair share of income from the success of the show.
Squid GameSeason 2 will debut on Netflix on June 06, 2025.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3217
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
More from Krittika Mukherjee
Why Is Sharon Stone Dissing Basic Instinct Reboot Despite Years of Clout? Details Inside
Michael C. Hall’s Breakout Came at Adam Scott’s Lowest Career Moment
The Map That Leads to You: Madelyn Cline Shares Controversial Dating Advice That’s Genius
Recommended
Fallout Season 2 Release Date Confirmed: 5 Post-Apocalyptic Shows to Watch While You Wait For Peak Cinema
Kevin Hart Is Trading Dwayne Johnson for Another WWE Star in New Netflix Film
Perfect Match Season 3: How Did Ollie Propose to AD?
Severance Season 3: Why Isn’t Ben Stiller Directing? Details Inside
Timo Tjahjanto Shades Keanu Reeves Film: Why is Nobody 2 Not a Desperate John Wick Ripoff?
Hwang Dong-hyukLee Jung-jaeSquid Game
