(Following Interview ④) Hwang Dong-hyuk, the director of 'Squid Game Season 3,' has drawn a line regarding the sequel series.
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk conducted an interview at a cafe in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 30th. There, he met with domestic reporters and discussed the Netflix original series 'Squid Game Season 3.'
'Squid Game' series has been a work that has not lost its position as the most popular series on Netflix since its debut in 2021. The story involves participants in a mysterious survival game with a prize of 45.6 billion won, who risk their lives to become the final winner. Since Season 1, it has swept the global TV show rankings, enjoying global phenomenon-level popularity not just in Korea but across North America, Europe, South America, and Asia.
Fueled by this success, the total view count has reached 600 million views for Season 2, which was produced, maintaining its position as the most popular original series on Netflix. In this Season 3, it deals with the final fate of Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who loses his closest friend in a game he participates in again with his own objectives after winning Season 1, and the Frontman (Lee Byung-hun), who hid his identity and entered the game, as well as other participants who survived that cruel game.
In particular, 'Squid Game Season 3' has garnered the attention of global viewers as the final chapter that concludes the series. Since its premiere on the 27th, it has consistently held the number one spot on FlixPatrol, continuing its box office heat. As a result, various possibilities such as spin-offs, sequels, and 'Squid Game America' are already being raised regarding the ending of Season 3.
However, Director Hwang Dong-hyuk laughed and said, "There’s no room for 'Squid Game' to emerge any further." He also commented on the scene involving Hollywood star Cate Blanchett, saying, "It wasn’t intended to leave room for a spin-off. In the past, when Seong Gi-hun was alive and went to the U.S., I thought of another recruiting scene, and I wanted to wrap the story as Seong Gi-hun's journey. Seong Gi-hun's death became the driving force for 'Squid Game' to explode, but the system of 'Squid Game' remains solid and spread around the world, so I made (Cate Blanchett's scene) as a symbol that it won't easily end. I wasn’t trying to move forward or tie it to an American version."
Regarding the rumors surrounding 'Squid Game America,' he noted, "There is absolutely no basis for it. It seems there have been rumors, but nothing has been officially released. I’ve read numerous articles claiming filming will start in December, that I will direct, that Cate Blanchett will appear, and that David Fincher will direct—all of those statements are baseless. I really like David Fincher. I think it would be fun if it were actually made, but if David Fincher were to reach out to me for any assistance, then I might seriously consider it. But it hasn’t happened," he laughed.
When asked about the possibility of a spin-off featuring Lee Byung-hun as Frontman Hwang In-ho, Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said, "First of all, I’ve done everything I wanted to do with Seong Gi-hun’s story in 'Squid Game,' so I think it would be meaningless to continue. I do think it might be interesting to tell another story, but it could be imagined similarly to how 'Better Call Saul' came out of 'Breaking Bad.' There is a temporal gap between Seasons 1 and 2, isn’t there?"
He continued, "And then, the executive director Choi (Jeon Seok-ho) searches Captain Park's (Oh Dal-soo) house, and there are photos taken with Ddakji Nam (Gong Yoo) as well as with In-ho. I’ve hidden them a bit. I wondered when and how these pictures were taken. While I’m left questioning what their relationship might be in reality, I thought it would be interesting to tell the story of these individuals over three years. However, I have no specific ideas. I thought it would be interesting to do a spin-off out of respect for the message and to provide fun for fans. I'm not saying when it will happen, but it could be possible if the opportunity arises," he said.
Regarding the delivery of the prize money and the '456 uniform training suit' to the Frontman by Seong Gi-hun’s daughter after his death, he said, "It’s not that Jun-hee's child will grow up and continue the game or that Ga-young will participate wearing the blood-stained uniform. The future material is uncertain," he said with a laugh. "Delivering the blood-stained training suit could be the Frontman's bad taste, or maybe the fact that it was delivered unwashed expresses a twisted humanity, and it could symbolize the 456 that wrapped around the child. I thought it was delivered with respect, along with the money, for its raw meaning. It could also mean that a distorted human still remains."
[Photo] Provided by Netflix.
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