On the 30th, at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, we met with Director Hwang Dong-hyuk of 'Squid Game 3.' With the conclusion of Season 3, marking the end of this extensive journey, Director Hwang appeared relieved.
'Squid Game 3' serves as the grand finale of the series. It portrays the final fates of Seong Gi-hun (played by Lee Jung-jae), who re-enters the game with his own motives and loses his closest friend, the Front Man (played by Lee Byung-hun), who infiltrated the game in disguise, and the survivors of the brutal game.
Following the success of Season 1, Seasons 2 and 3 began with high expectations, leading to mixed reviews. This indicates the significant interest surrounding the series. How did the creator and director feel about this?
Director Hwang shared, "During Season 1, there were no expectations. Then the series became a hit, and it was chaos. Some were enthusiastic about the games, others appreciated the hidden social critique, and many loved the characters. Seasons 2 and 3 were viewed in their own ways by the audience. With expectations, some said the message was lacking, the games were less exciting, or questioned why certain characters died so quickly. It felt like the fans became the owners of the series."
He continued, "Long series tend to have such occurrences, especially with a fandom. Our series is composed of extreme stories, naturally leading to mixed opinions. I'm grateful that such a drama could receive so much love, and even criticism is a form of interest, so I'm happy with the controversies. Exchanging opinions is one way to digest the series."
Regarding the ongoing debate about lead actor Lee Jung-jae's performance since Season 2, Director Hwang explained, "I wanted to create a character consumed by delusion and obsession. In Season 3, Seong Gi-hun is not a normal person. He's a man fixated on one person, Dae-ho (played by Kang Ha-neul)." In Season 2, Lee Jung-jae faced criticism for his vocal delivery, and in Season 3, his facial expressions became a topic of debate.
Director Hwang defended, "Actor Lee Jung-jae went on a diet and lost a lot of weight. He ate only steamed vegetables for over a year to portray Gi-hun's deteriorating state. There were hardly any lines, so he had to express a lot through his facial expressions, which was challenging. The character itself couldn't express more."
The director spent six years creating the series, and the actors were with him throughout that time. 'Squid Game' Season 1 premiered in September 2021, but including filming and post-production, both the crew and cast dedicated a long time to this single project.
However, Director Hwang expressed reluctance to undertake another long-term project, shaking his head. He confessed, "I gained a lot, but I also lost a lot. I lost about 10 teeth while working on this project. Just because this series was popular doesn't mean I want to do only this. I want to explore various projects."
Despite receiving more criticism than praise for Season 2, and the lukewarm response to Season 3, 'Squid Game 3' still topped the charts in 93 countries worldwide, continuing to receive global love. Can it break the records set by Season 1? The mixed reactions remain a key factor.
By Yeji Ryu, TenAsia Reporter ryuperstar@tenasia.co.kr