First Detailed Information Shared in Interview with Foreign Media for the First Time
On the 26th, director Hwang Dong-hyuk of the Netflix drama 'Squid Game 2,' which was released worldwide, spoke specifically about his next project after finishing the drama production. Director Hwang revealed that it will be a feature film set in the not-so-distant future, with content darker and more brutal than Squid Game.
In an interview with foreign media such as AP News on the 26th (local time), before the drama's release, Hwang said, "I am thinking of a feature film set 10 to 20 years in the future," adding, "It will be darker and more brutal than Squid Game, but at the same time quite inventive and humorous."
Previously, Director Hwang signed simultaneous contracts with Netflix for Squid Game Season 2 and Season 3. Currently, Squid Game Season 3 is in post-production and is scheduled to be released in the first half of next year. According to this interview, he is already considering his next work after Squid Game ends.
He also told the media, "Originally, Squid Game was conceived as a two-hour feature film 15 years ago." However, at that time, neither investors nor actors were confident that the project would gain popularity. Ultimately, Director Hwang gave up on his ambition for a film and shifted the project to a TV series, eventually signing a contract with Netflix.
Director Hwang added, "I never dreamed it would become this huge."
Squid Game depicts the story of people participating in a mysterious survival game with a huge prize of '45.6 billion won.' This survival game is conducted with the participants' lives at stake, and many people lose their lives throughout the series. Despite the brutal content where players die mercilessly upon elimination, Director Hwang emphasized that "I learned that you must never give up."
Regarding the reason why there are many young characters in their 20s and 30s in Squid Game Season 2, he said, "Times have changed. Young people today find it difficult to get decent jobs, and even if they work hard, they cannot reach the middle class," adding, "In Korea, young people in their 20s and 30s have started to engage in online gambling. I wanted to show the real face of society."
He also revealed his ambition to enter Hollywood. Director Hwang said, "I studied film at the University of Southern California," and explained, "There are many people I want to work with in the U.S. I have received offers after 'Squid Game,' but since I am a writer-director, I think it is most suitable to direct Korean films with Korean scripts."
He continued, "Still, if I find a great (foreign language) script, why would I refuse?" and added, "I want to work with famous actors like Jake Gyllenhaal."
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