Viewers could gasp, cringe or cry out watching characters die on Netflix‘s “Squid Sport,” however these simulated deaths have a unique impact on its creator, author and director. As a substitute, Hwang Dong-hyuk feels happiness seeing them go.

The present has an enormous forged and Hwang says it was “actually troublesome” to handle everybody on set.

As characters would die, Hwang remembers saying to the actors on their final day, “‘Oh no! How unhappy! I received’t see you tomorrow,’ however I used to be at all times smiling inside.”

“Squid Sport” season two premieres Thursday. It as soon as once more stars Lee Jung-jae and facilities round a secret competitors in South Korea that targets individuals in debt and the winner will get a giant money prize. What they do not know is that shedding the sport is lethal.

Hwang initially conceived of the present 15 years in the past as a two-hour movie however it failed to achieve traction with financiers and even actors. He put it apart and labored on different movies as a substitute. He then had the thought to make it a TV sequence as a substitute and took the mission to Netflix. There, it might attain a large viewers.

“I by no means in my wildest dream thought it was going to be this large,” mentioned Hwang, who spoke with the AP concerning the present and what comes subsequent. Solutions have been edited for readability and size.

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AP: What have you ever discovered from “Squid Sport”?

HWANG: I discovered that I shouldn’t surrender. When you love one thing and if you wish to create one thing, it won’t work now, however the time may come later. Or that concept could possibly be the supply of inspiration for one thing else.

AP: You have already completed filming season three of “Squid Sport.” Have you considered what your subsequent mission shall be?

HWANG: I am afraid to speak about it however it’s a characteristic movie happening 10-20 years sooner or later. It is darker than “Squid Sport.” It’s going to be fairly merciless, fairly unhappy, however on the identical time fairly quirky and humorous.

AP: What movies and TV exhibits do you get pleasure from?

HWANG: I used to assume you needed to have a selected style to be cool, however I really assume I’m very omnivorous. I like to observe something. After I’m on the sofa watching TV, typically I watch CNN or Fox Information. After which Nationwide Geographic and nature documentaries, I additionally watch some very soapy Korean exhibits or actuality TV as nicely. I hop round and watch the whole lot that’s sort of taking place on the earth. With a sequence, I usually don’t keep it up the entire manner by means of. There’s solely about like 5 exhibits that I watched till the very finish, like “Breaking Unhealthy” and “Why Ladies Kill.”

AP: Would you ever wish to direct a U.S. manufacturing or Hollywood actors?

HWANG: In fact. I studied movie college on the College of Southern California and there are such a lot of individuals I might like to work with. I’ve had these presents since “Squid Sport,” however as a result of I am a writer-director I feel I am greatest once I’m working with Korean actors, giving path in Korean with my Korean script. However, if I come throughout a tremendous scrip, why not? I might like to work with Jake Gyllenhaal.

AP: There are extra characters in season two of “Squid Sport.” Why is that?

HWANG: With seasons two and three, I had extra display time for extra characters. This time round now we have a whole lot of youthful characters. After I was creating season one, I assumed it was very exhausting so that you can be as much as your neck in debt whenever you’re solely in your 20s or 30s. I assumed you needed to be not less than middle-aged to wish cash and wish to be a part of the Squid Sport. However the world has modified. Now I really feel like there are much less first rate jobs for younger individuals and so they really feel like working exhausting does not even get them to center class. They wish to hit the jackpot, in order that’s why they spend money on cryptocurrency. In Korea, there are a whole lot of younger individuals of their early 20s or 30s turning to on-line playing. I wished to point out what society actually is like at the moment.

AP: Season two of “Squid Sport” has already been nominated for a Golden Globe which is an efficient signal. Are you able to say something about season three of “Squid Sport”?

HWANG: It is higher than season two.