The second season of the Netflix series “Squid Game” has gained immense popularity globally, ranking first in the global TOP10 for two consecutive weeks and securing first place in 93 countries. However, reception in Korea has been extremely divided since its release.
In a recent interview with HeraldPOP at a bar in Jongno-gu, Seoul, director Hwang Dong-hyuk expressed his desire for more support from the Korean public.
Hwang Dong-hyuk thanked viewers around the world for their interest in the second season, following the success of the first season, saying: “I’m so grateful. I can only express my gratitude” and added, “While various ratings are important, ultimately, a work’s popularity can be measured by viewing time, and I realized that people around the world love and have been waiting for ‘Squid Game’.”
He continued, “Nowadays, with so much content released, local content is popular with specific countries or regions, but can content from one country really rank first globally? It’s a miracle” and said, “The fact that a Korean-language show reached #1 in 93 countries is so miraculous that I wonder if I will ever be able to do something like this again.”
Director Hwang Dong-hyuk also reflected on how his life has revolved around “Squid Game” for the past 5 or 6 years, saying: “I didn’t realize how much attention people had on me until I went on the promotional tour, and I felt the interest more than ever.” He recognized, “Although I feel the burden of the crown, there are also many happy memories, so I feel I have to bear the criticism.”
However, he also said, “What is disappointing is that even a stray dog gets 50% at home, but here in Korea the ratings seem the harshest. I came home and I don’t feel comfortable. I just wish there was a little more support,” he underlined.
Meanwhile, the second season of “Squid Game,” for which director Hwang Dong-hyuk returns as director, follows the story of Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), who vows revenge and returns to participate in the game, and the fierce battle between him and the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun). The new season continues with the start of the actual game.
