Squid Game creator reveals he lost nine teeth while filming series

Hwang Dong-hyuk, the director of the global hit series Squid Game, revealed that the immense stress of producing the show led to him losing “eight or nine” teeth.

The South Korean thriller, which became a worldwide sensation after its release on Netflix in 2021, follows financially struggling contestants who risk their lives in deadly children’s games for a life-changing cash prize.

In an interview with BBC, Hwang discussed the intense pressure he faced while working on the first season, admitting that the financial rewards from the success of Squid Game were not immediate.

“Honestly, I didn’t make much, so the second season will help make up for it,” Hwang said.

When asked about losing six teeth during production, Hwang corrected the interviewer, stating that the number was actually “eight or nine.”

He did not elaborate on whether the tooth loss was directly linked to the stress of working on the show or other factors.

With most of the original characters having been killed off in the first season, the director faces the challenge of introducing new characters and designing new deadly games for the upcoming season.

Lee Jung-jae will return as Gi-hun, the fictional winner of the first season, who will now aim to dismantle the game and protect the new contestants.

The second season of Squid Game is set to explore unanswered questions from the first season, including the motivations of the mysterious Front Man, who oversees the deadly competition.

Fans can expect deeper insights into the true purpose behind the game, as well as more intense twists.

Squid Game Season 2 will be released on Netflix on December 26, 2024.