Director Hwang Dong-hyeok: “No More ‘Squid Games’” [DA : Interview ③]
Director Hwang Dong-hyeok met with Donga.com for an interview about the Netflix series ‘Squid Game 3’ at a cafe in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the morning of the 30th and talked about the work.
On that day, when director Hwang Dong-hyeok was asked if Cate Blanchett’s appearance in the last scene of ‘Squid Game 3’ was a hint at the American version of ‘Squid Game’, he said, “If Sung Ki-hoon survives and goes to America, I also thought about an ending where he sees another Tak-ji-man in America.That would have made sense, but when I made the ending with(Sung Ki-hoon’s)death, that wasn’t the meaning.I thought of it as a symbol that this system has spread around the world and won’t end easily.I didn’t make that scene to connect it to the American version.”
Regarding the rumor that he is participating in directing the American version of ‘Squid Game’, he said, “It is completely groundless.I have never heard anything officially.I have seen many articles, but I do not know how much of it is true.”
When asked about the possibility of another season of ‘Squid Game’, Director Hwang Dong-hyeok said, “I’ve delivered all the messages I wanted to convey in this story.Then, I wanted to try a work with a different tone.Director Choi(played by Jeon Seok-ho)searches Captain Park’s house, and there are fishing photos posted there.There are photos with Ttakjinam, and if you look closely, there are photos with the frontman.I wondered when these photos were taken, and what their relationship was.I thought it would be fun to tell these people a story over the past three years.Regardless of the message, I thought it would be fun to talk about what kind of relationship they have.If there were a spin-off, I thought I’d like to tell such a fun story for the fans.It’s a vague thought, but I think I could try it once if I get the chance.”
Director Hwang Dong-hyeok previously revealed that he was considering making his next work a movie.Regarding his next work, Director Hwang Dong-hyeok said, “There was a work I originally wanted to do.I was scared because theaters are so difficult these days.In Korea, theaters have become so difficult that I wonder if I can say that I will take other people’s money and make this work successful.I am losing that confidence, so I am worried about whether I can do it.I feel a lot of pressure and worry a lot.”
When asked about the most memorable moment in ‘Squid Game’, Director Hwang Dong-hyeok said, “Every moment is memorable.The most memorable moment is the day Ki-hoon fell.Of all the expressions I’ve seen on Ki-hoon’s face, his last face is the most memorable.Filming was hard, but the actor also did his best to immerse himself in the ending while creating that look for over a year.That’s when I thought, ‘This is the end.’”
When asked if he was expressing his thoughts that ‘Squid Game’ could no longer be produced due to Sung Ki-hoon’s death, he said, “Yes.’Squid Game’ without Sung Ki-hoon was because he wanted to tell the story through one person.There is no room for ‘Squid Game’ to be produced anymore.”
Meanwhile, ‘Squid Game 3’, released on the 27th, is a story about Ki-hoon(played by Lee Jung-jae)who loses his best friend in a game he re-entered with his own purpose, the frontman(played by Lee Byung-hun)who hid his identity and entered the game, and the final fate of the participants who survived the cruel game.
‘Squid Game’ Season 1 and Season 2 recorded a combined cumulative viewership of approximately 600 million(the number of hours watched divided by the total running time of the series)for the two seasons, making the two seasons a global record for a Korean series.
Reporter Yoonna Choi com Donga.com yyynnn@donga
This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.
