In a new Hollywood Reporter cover story, “Squid Game” creator Hwang Dong-hyuk pulls back the black mesh mask on Season 2 of the world’s biggest show, which is arriving on Netflix next month. He reveals an influence on the Emmy-winning thriller series that sounds a little surprising at first but actually makes a lot of

Hwang Dong Hyuk, the director of Squid Game Season 2, has addressed concerns surrounding the so-called sophomore slump that often affects popular Netflix series follow-up seasons. He’s committed to delivering a sequel that meets—and possibly exceeds—the immense expectations set by its record-breaking predecessor.

Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk says the stress of making season 1 caused him to lose "eight or nine" teeth – but he has a pretty straightforward answer as to why he came back for another installment of the hit Netflix show.