Did You Know That Creator Of Squid Game Sold His Laptop To Pay His House Rent? More Details Inside!
South Korean writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk started developing the idea that would eventually become Squid Game!
As Squid Game gears up for its third season, the world is once again drawn into its chilling game of survival. But behind the global phenomenon lies an unlikely story of how he struggled in a cramped apartment, a huge amount of debt, rejection, and a desperate need to pay rent. Back in 2009, South Korean writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk started developing the idea that would eventually become Squid Game. The concept, inspired by the brutal economic struggles he witnessed growing up, took shape slowly.
But with no financial backing and little industry interest, Hwang was forced to make painful choices, including selling his laptop, then worth about 675, just to stay afloat. Hwang spent nearly a year refining the script, but it was shelved for years. Production companies dismissed the idea as too disturbing, while actors hesitated to associate themselves with something so bleak. He’s admitted in multiple interviews that people just didn’t think it would work, and that it is too strange, too brutal and not marketable.
But all that changed in 2021, when Netflix picked up the project. The show premiered in September and quickly became a cultural juggernaut. Within weeks, it hit No. 1 in 94 countries and pulled in an estimated 900 million in value for Netflix, all from a production budget of just over 21 million. The show logged more than 1.6 billion viewing hours in its first month.
Also Read: Is Squid Game Season 3’s Ending Going To Be Happy Or Sad? Creator Hwang Dong Hyuk Reveals!
Now, Hwang is preparing for Squid Game’s third and final season. He’s hinted that this will be the emotional payoff fans have been waiting for. “This chapter brings everything together. It’s meant to leave a lasting impression,” he recently said.
Also Read: 10 Lines To Help You Get A Quick Recap Of Squid Game As We Wait For Season 3!
First Published: June 27, 2025 2:45 PM
