Squid Game director Hwang Dong-hyuk has spoken about the intensity of the show's production, revealing that he lost multiple teeth while filming the series.
The creator of the Netflix phenomenon has explained how the stress of shooting the series manifested itself in a very physical way, resulting in him losing six teeth while working on set. "On my left side, I still don't have two molars," he said in an interview with CNN Film School this week. "I need to get implants but haven't had the time."
Despite the magnitude of production and the extremity of the experience, Hwang indicated that he hasn't been totally put off the idea of making a second season. He assured fans that he has been considering Squid Game's future, especially after he left the first season so open-ended for another series to pick up some of the loose threads.
"There are some loose ends I'd like to explore if I were to make a second season," Hwang admitted. "The Frontman's unexplained past, detective Jun-ho's story. Those are things I didn't explain in Season 1. If I were to do Season 2, I'd like to explain those elements. And the man with the Ttakji in his bags, the man who was played by Gong Yoo.
"Writing, producing and directing a series alone was really such a big task," he added, reflecting on the first season. "When I think about doing the same for season two, I'm personally kind of worried. There's nothing confirmed at the moment, but so many people are enthusiastic that I'm really contemplating it."
He also acknowledged the huge popularity and success of Squid Game, which has now hit number one on Netflix in more than 90 countries, per The Independent. "I feel like I've become BTS," the director told CNN, likening the global attention to that of the South Korean k-pop group. "It's as though I've created a Harry Potter or Star Wars franchise."
Hwang previously spoke about how the story could possibly evolve beyond the nine episodes of the first season, which first arrived on Netflix on September 17, suggesting that the show's sophomore season might not be about the contestants. He said he may shift focus in the next chapter, should it be greenlit, to further explore the role of the Korean police.
If you haven't yet streamed the first season, now might be the time to add it to your watchlist. If, however, you're relying on translations to follow the story, make sure to watch the episodes with the proper "English" subtitles turned on rather than Netflix's closed captions, so you don't lose the nuances of the script and all of the show's twisted, colorful competitions.
Adele Ankers is a freelance writer for IGN. Follow her on Twitter.