Squid Game creator addresses concerns about reality series spin-off

The controversy surrounding the real-life version of Squid Game has been addressed by the original series' creator Hwang Dong-hyuk.

Earlier this year in June, Netflix revealed that a real-life version of its hit South Korean survival series, Squid Game, had been given the green light to go ahead.

This may sound surprising to some, given the gory, gruesome and life-threatening challenges which took place in the original series.

However, Hwang Dong-hyuk, Squid Games' creator, has since spoken out about the upcoming reality show, Squid Game: The Challenge, addressing fans' concerns.

Upon Netflix announcing the reality series, many Squid Game fans were quick to point out the irony of creating a real-life version of the games in how the original series' many messages surrounding financial greed, selfishness and materialism would subsequently be being actively promoted through encouraging people to sign up to such a reality series.

The 'fable about modern capitalist society' as Hwang put it, becoming less of a story and more of a very stark reality.

However, at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards earlier this week on Monday, 12 September, Hwang told Variety: "I think that even though our show does carry quite a heavy message — and I know that there are some concerns of taking that message and creating it into a reality show with a cash prize.

"[...] I feel like when you take things too seriously, that’s really not the best way to go for the entertainment industry. It doesn’t really set a great precedent."

Instead, Hwang resolved: "I would say that reproductions of such efforts are going to bring new meaning to the industry, and I hope that this is going to be a great new direction for the industry overall."

Hwang also noted he's met with the creator for the real-life version of Squid Game.

"[I hope] they will be carrying on my vision and intention as much as possible for the show," he said.

If you're still not convinced and reality television isn't really your thing, then fear not, because the original series has been renewed for a second season.

Hwang has teased that the second season will follow on perfectly from the first, in testing humanity through a series of games once again.

"I want to ask the question, ‘Is true solidarity between humans possible?

"If they were capable of talking with one another, of cooperating with one another, I do agree that there could have been a possibility that we could have seen more winners," he continued.

However, the release date for the second instalment has not yet been revealed, although it's hoped to arrive at some point next year, 2023.

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Topics: Film and TV, Netflix, Squid Game, World News

Poppy Bilderbeck

Poppy Bilderbeck is a Senior Journalist at LADbible Group. She graduated from The University of Manchester in 2021 with a First in English Literature and Drama, where alongside her studies she was Editor-in-Chief of The Tab Manchester. Poppy is most comfortable when chatting about all things mental health, is proving a drama degree is far from useless by watching and reviewing as many TV shows and films as possible and is such a crisp fanatic the office has been forced to release them in batches.