Director of ‘Squid Game’ Reveals the First Season’s Stress Caused Him to Lose Eight or Nine Teeth

The creator of Squid Game faced such intense pressure that it took a surprising toll on his well-being.

The South Korean show became a global hit, but behind the scenes, its director faced immense challenges.

What drove him to keep going despite the toll it took?

Let’s dive into the story of Hwang Dong-hyuk and the price he paid to bring Squid Game to life.

The intense stress of the director of Squid Game took a toll on his health

Hwang Dong-hyuk, the mastermind and director behind Squid Game, revealed in a BBC interview that the stress of filming the first season was so overwhelming that he lost not only six teeth. He said while laughing, “It was eight or nine.”

Earlier reports mentioned six, but Hwang clarified the higher number with a laugh, showing his resilience despite the hardship. The show, which follows desperate contestants playing deadly children’s games for a huge cash prize, took a decade to get made.

Hwang took out loans to support his family while pitching the idea, only for Netflix to pick it up with a modest upfront payment. Despite the show’s massive success—watched by over 142 million households in its first 28 days—Hwang didn’t earn much from it.

This financial strain, combined with the intense production, led to significant health impacts.

Why Return for Season Two?

After such a grueling experience, why did Hwang agree to make a second season? He told the BBC that money was a key factor.

He said, “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.”

He also wanted to finish the story he started, diving deeper into themes of inequality and human struggle. But the stress didn’t stop. Hwang admitted that filming season two was even more taxing, with his teeth aching again, hinting at more dental issues to come.

The pressure of high expectations and a nearly new cast—since most characters died in season one—added to the challenge. Season two, set to release on Netflix on December 26, 2024, promises to be just as gripping, but at what cost to its creator?

A Bigger Issue in the Industry

Hwang’s story isn’t just about one show. It highlights a larger problem in the streaming industry. Many creators, especially in South Korea, feel short-changed by platforms like Netflix. They often give up their copyright in contracts, losing out on profits from hits like Squid Game, which earned Netflix an estimated $900 million.

Other creators, like writer Park Hae-young, share similar frustrations, reluctant to pour years into projects without fair pay. Hwang hopes his openness will spark change, pushing for better compensation for creators. His experience is a reminder that even behind the world’s biggest shows, there’s a human cost that often goes unseen.

Squid Game’s success put South Korean drama on the global stage, but Hwang’s journey shows the personal sacrifices behind the spotlight. As fans eagerly await season two, his story raises questions about how the industry treats its talent.

Will Hwang’s candor lead to fairer pay for creators? Only time will tell, but his resilience inspires us all.

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