After wrapping up the 'Squid Game' series, director Hwang Dong-hyuk shared his feelings of relief and slight melancholy.
During an interview in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 30th to commemorate the finale of 'Squid Game' Season 3, Hwang Dong-hyuk, reflecting on the four-year journey, started off by saying, "It's bittersweet."
He added, "This project received so much love, it makes me wonder when I'll ever experience this level of affection again. I'm feeling a mix of relief and sadness."
Following the global success of Season 1, Seasons 2 and 3 also received a warm reception from audiences worldwide, not just domestically. The series went beyond initial buzz, prompting deep analysis and interpretation of its story and characters. Especially from Season 2 onwards, the series faced some harsh criticism. However, Hwang Dong-hyuk expressed gratitude even towards the negative feedback, seeing it as a reaction to the series' popularity.
Hwang Dong-hyuk mentioned, "With Season 1, there were no expectations. It blew up unexpectedly, attracting fans of the games, those who appreciated its social critique, and those who fell in love with its characters. What I realized while working on Seasons 2 and 3 was the weight of expectations. Hence, there were many reactions like 'The games aren't as thrilling,' or 'Why did you kill off characters so quickly?'"
He continued, "Working on a long series made me feel like the fans, not me, were the main characters. I also realized maintaining a series with a strong fanbase is challenging. Just like 'Game of Thrones' faced a lot of backlash in its final season. It showed me that fandoms can lead to such situations. On one hand, I accept the inevitable divide in opinions. This series tells an extreme story, after all. I'm still amazed that such a work could receive so much love. I'm grateful for all the criticism, disappointment, and dissatisfaction from the viewers. The controversy itself is a form of happiness, given the immense love we've already received."
At the end of the interview, when a reporter mentioned that they found Season 3 the most enjoyable, Hwang Dong-hyuk also responded, "Personally, I am most satisfied with Season 3 as well."
'Squid Game' Season 3, which revisits the game with characters harboring their own agendas, including Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) who loses his closest friend, the Front Man (Lee Byung-hun) who infiltrates the game in disguise, and the participants who survive the brutal games, was released on the 27th. It quickly climbed to the top of Netflix's TV show global rankings for two consecutive days, securing its status as a fitting climax to the series.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)