‘Squid Game’ Season 3 Would Actually Be a Bad Thing

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  • Hwang Dong-Hyuk’s Post ‘Squid Game’ Experience
  • Why Ending ‘Squid Game’ After Season 2 Could Be a Good Thing

As a longtime fan of gripping dramas that keep me on the edge of my seat, I have to say that the prospect of “Squid Game” ending after Season 2 is music to my ears. Having just finished binge-watching this masterpiece, I find myself eagerly anticipating the next installment while also feeling a sense of relief that the story might not drag on indefinitely.

On December 26, 2024, we’ll witness the long-awaited return of Netflix’s hit TV series, Squid Game, for its second season. This show captivated audiences worldwide during the global lockdown, that it was immediately renewed for two more seasons and filmed back to back.

Although the Season 2 premiere was just around the corner, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk playfully hinted that he might tire of the series, potentially delaying Season 3. A wise move for Netflix could be to conclude Squid Game before it loses its freshness and outstays its charm, a common issue with quantity-focused streaming platforms like Netflix.

What Is ‘Squid Game’ About?

If you haven’t subscribed yet, here’s the gist: Squid Game is a thrilling TV show from South Korea that was born out of the popular kids’ game with the same name. The talented Hwang Dong-hyuk took charge as writer, director, and creator for Netflix, making its debut in 2021 when everyone was stuck at home due to the global pandemic lockdown. This series revolves around a life-changing competition involving 456 people struggling financially, who must play dangerous and sometimes lethal children’s games to win an astounding 45.6 billion South Korean won.

Due to the extraordinary popularity of “Squid Game,” it became Netflix’s most-watched series in 94 countries. Immediately, the platform announced that Seasons 2 and 3 would be produced simultaneously, doubling the creative workload for creator Hwang Dong-hyuk. Additionally, spin-off series, games, and art installations such as “Squid Game: The Experience,” “Squid Game: The Challenge,” and “Squid Game: Virtuals” were developed to boost the franchise’s appeal and generate excitement for future episodes of the original series.

Hwang Dong-Hyuk’s Post ‘Squid Game’ Experience

In an interview with Variety for promotional purposes, Squid Game’s creator Hwang shared that the first season was incredibly demanding on him personally and initially had no plans for a second season, expressing:

Initially, I wasn’t planning on creating a second season as the entire process of scriptwriting, film production, and direction was incredibly demanding and taxing. Frankly, it never crossed my mind to undertake another one.

In his well-known statement, Hwang asserted that he had lost eight or nine teeth during the production of the first season. If this is accurate, it’s not surprising that he would seek to minimize such extensive physical damage by limiting the number of Squid Game seasons and episodes. However, given the “extraordinary success” of Season 1, Hwang rediscovered his energy to devise even more exhilarating challenges for participants who are struggling financially.

Although he didn’t suffer any dental issues while making Seasons 2 and 3, Hwang admitted to the physical exhaustion and psychological cost of continuing Squid Game, adding:

I feel utterly drained, completely spent. To be frank, I’ve had enough of ‘Squid Game’. I’m tired of creating, of promoting. At this moment, I’m not contemplating my next venture. Instead, all I can think about is escaping to a secluded island, disconnecting from the world, and enjoying some peace and quiet, far away from any calls or messages from Netflix.

It appears that Hwang may no longer have the same passion for the franchise as he once did, given his unusually frank remarks about it. If this is true, it might be more prudent to conclude the Squid Game series rather than prolonging it simply for financial gain, as continuing could risk it becoming overly derivative, repetitive, dull, and lacking in fresh ideas.

Why Ending ‘Squid Game’ After Season 2 Could Be a Good Thing

With the upcoming Season 2 of “Squid Game”, creator Hwang will carry on with post-production work for Season 3, slated for release in 2025. Although it’s rare for him to abandon episodes that have already been filmed, if the promotional activities become excessively overwhelming, there’s a possibility he might seek refuge on the secluded island he mentioned as an escape from the overwhelming fame of the series.

Regardless of whether Hwang decides to stay or leave, it might not be a negative outcome if Squid Game concluded after Season 2. For a platform primarily focused on marathon viewing and prioritizing quantity over quality, wrapping up its most-watched series before it experiences a decline in quality would maintain the respect and honor of Seasons 1 and 2. This decision would keep the shine on Squid Game’s reputation while also demonstrating to the streaming world that Netflix values more than just accumulating viewership hours and is committed to creating high-quality, lasting projects.

Beyond mentioning his fatigue, Hwang additionally shared with Variety that multiple other Squid Game projects are being worked on by Netflix. He made this announcement confidently.

In the present, I’m finding that I’m being asked for my input more frequently on certain upcoming projects. Based on what I know, it appears there will be an influx of creative spin-offs from ‘Squid Game’, and I may have a larger role in some of these future developments.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I’ve been eagerly following the success of “Squid Game,” but it seems that director Hwang Dong-hyuk’s packed schedule and escalating demand might become overwhelming, potentially causing the series to conclude prematurely. However, in a recent interview, our beloved actor Lee Jung-jae, who portrays Seong Gi-hun, has hinted at the ending of “Squid Game” (presumably Season 3), leaving us fans excited about what’s to come!

The conclusion is quite unexpected, I can’t wait to see the various perspectives people might have about it.

At one point, I find myself pondering if Netflix might overstep the creative boundaries of ‘Squid Game,’ potentially diluting its raw impact by extending the story beyond what’s necessary. The risk is that it could evolve into an unrecognizable caricature of itself, struggling to recapture the shock value of its brutal deaths, edge-of-your-seat challenges, and deep emotional narrative. Instead, I hope they choose to end it gracefully, leaving us yearning for more and preserving the powerful essence of the series that has captivated us all.

Regardless of whether Hwang’s health prevents him from continuing with Season 3 or he stays involved, it would be wise for Netflix to conclude the Squid Game series while it remains one of their most celebrated shows ever produced. Continuing could risk making it another instance of Netflix favoring quantity over quality. Squid Game is set to stream on Netflix starting December 26.

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2024-12-26 01:02