South Korean director Hwang Dong-hyuk (centre) speaking onstage at the Los Angeles premiere of Squid Game 2. - AFP
LOS ANGELES: As they tease the much-anticipated second season of Squid Game, the cast and creator of the hit South Korean survivalist drama are still trying to wrap their heads around its global success, which saw its debut season in 2021 become the most-watched series on Netflix.
And ahead of the show’s return on Dec 26, when it continues its tale of cash-strapped contestants in a deadly tournament of children’s games, they marvel at the huge fan turnout at the Los Angeles premiere on Dec 12.
At the event, more than 1,700 excited fans don the same green tracksuits worn by the characters and compete in a 4.56km race – a nod to the 45.6 billion won (S$42.8 million) up for grabs on the show – to win a seat at a preview of the first episode.
“I can’t believe I’m watching this,” says South Korean creator-showrunner Hwang Dong-hyuk, 53. He is surveying the giant crowd gathered on a college athletic field to play recreations of games from the series, such as the iconic Red Light, Green Light.
Hwang, who writes and directs the series, is similarly taken aback at the warm reception it has enjoyed.
“Every time I come to Los Angeles and meet the fans here, it’s a big surprise. I still can’t believe how successful the show was and how it’s become a phenomenon across the world.”
Hwang, who famously lost a few teeth because of the stress of making Season 1, says he felt the pressure to replicate its success with this new batch of seven episodes.
“But somehow, after I started writing, it took just six months to write them. It was quicker than I expected, and I was even surprised at myself.”
The first season was praised for its social commentary, and Hwang hints that this instalment may have some political commentary as well.
It may remind viewers of recent real-world events, such as the presidential election in the United States and the brief declaration of martial law in South Korea, which Hwang has joined other South Korean celebrities in condemning.
“In Season 2, the voting is the most key element of the show, because the players do vote after every game to decide whether they keep playing or leave.
“And if you compare voting in the real world with the voting in Squid Game, that will be a fun comparison,” he says.
Speaking through an interpreter, leading man Lee Jung-jae – reprising his role as protagonist Gi-hun, who won in Season 1 but is coming back to dismantle the game – adds: “The fact that a story made in South Korea is loved and related to by so many people around the globe means the world to us.”
“While you could think of this as a story unique to Korea, the themes we try to express are universal, so it’s a story that everyone can relate to,” says the 52-year-old South Korean actor, who picked up a Best Actor Emmy for the role.
Lee, who also played Jedi Master Sol in Star Wars series The Acolyte (2024) and made his feature directorial debut with espionage thriller Hunt (2022), says his fan base has grown bigger.
“Not only do I have Korean fans now, but people all across the globe have also noticed me, and I really like that.”
South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun, who plays the mysterious overseer of the game known as the Front Man, is also gratified by the show’s popularity.
“We didn’t expect that much support and love for this show, but it’s great to have this kind of phenomenon,” says the 54-year-old, who starred in hit South Korean movies such as Joint Security Area (2000) and Hollywood action films including G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra (2009).
And fans will learn a lot more about his character, who was masked for most of Season 1.
“In Season 2, I come out without my mask, mostly, and you will see the Front Man’s backstory,” he says. - The Straits Times/ANN
*** Squid Game 2 premieres on Netflix on Dec 26.
