'Squid Game' creator reveals he lost teeth from stress as season 2 promises to be darker

Hwang Dong-hyuk, creator of Netflix’s hit series Squid Game, recently shared the toll the show’s production took on his health, revealing that he lost "about eight or nine" teeth from stress during the making of the first season. Speaking to the BBC, Hwang clarified earlier reports that he had lost six teeth, adding that the challenges of directing and producing the intense thriller led to unexpected physical strain.

Although Hwang initially had no plans for a second season, he cited two primary motivations for returning: the financial success and his desire to complete the story. "Money," he candidly stated as one reason, acknowledging that despite Squid Game’s global acclaim, he didn’t earn as much as anticipated. "So doing the second series will help compensate me for the success of the first one too," he added. The upcoming season, set three years after the events of the first, will continue the journey of protagonist Seong Gi-hun, played by Lee Jung-jae, as he grapples with his traumatic experiences from the deadly games.

The new season will introduce a mix of new characters while bringing back familiar faces, such as Lee Byung-hun, who will reprise his role as the Front Man. Hwang hinted that season 2 would dive deeper into his character’s backstory and confirmed that the tone would be “even darker” than the original.

As anticipation builds, Hwang admitted that the pressure is mounting, saying, "The stress I feel now is much greater," and joking that he may need another visit to the dentist soon. Squid Game season 2 premieres on December 26 on Netflix.