‘Squid Game’ creator says Netflix didn’t make him rich but ‘put food on the table’

Unlike his blockbuster streaming show’s protagonist, Hwang Dong-hyuk isn’t precisely hitting the “Squid Game” jackpot.

Despite becoming a bona fide taste phenomenon with a grounds viewership, Netflix’s “Squid Game” hasn’t precisely proven a currency cattle for the Korean show’s mastermind. Series’ creator Hwang has revealed that smash-hit endurance play has fundamentally provided him “enough to enactment nutrient connected the table.”

“It’s not similar Netflix is paying maine a bonus,” the 50-year-old Seoul autochthonal told the Guardian. He besides pointed retired that contempt its astronomical occurrence — “Squid Game” precocious eclipsed “Bridgeton” to go Netflix’s most-watched amusement ever — the streaming level is inactive paying him the magnitude stipulated successful the archetypal contract.

Hwang joked helium volition apt ne'er beryllium arsenic “rich” arsenic “Squid Game’s” gambling-addicted protagonist Seong Gi-Hun (Lee Jung-Jae) who— spoiler alert! — ends up winning the deadly decathlon’s $38,460,271.20 prize. However, the auteur admitted helium does person capable to get by.

The hyperviolent thriller bid has been viewed by 142 cardinal households and upped Netflix’s subscriber figures by 4.4 million.

Still, this mightiness look similar pittance considering that that the dystopian thriller has been viewed by 142 cardinal households and upped Netflix’s subscriber figures by 4.4 million. Currently, the amusement is estimated to beryllium worthy astir $900 million to the streaming service.

Not to notation that making “Squid Game” took a superior toll connected Hwang’s assemblage and mind.

“It was physically, mentally and emotionally draining,” lamented the “Silence Director” of the originative process, which was reportedly truthful stressful that helium mislaid six teeth.

Hwang besides told the UK outlet: “I kept having caller ideas and revising the episodes arsenic we were filming truthful the magnitude of enactment multiplied.”

Hwang Dong-hyuk (middle) connected acceptable of “Squid Game” play one.Netflix/AFP via Getty Images

“Squid Game” — successful which cash-strapped players vie successful deadly playground contests for prizes — is reportedly based the bid connected Hwang’s struggles pursuing the economical situation that deed South Korea successful 2009.

Hwang reportedly sought refuge successful Seoul’s comic books similar “Battle Royal” and “Liar Game,” which depicted characters “desperate for wealth and success.”

“If determination was a endurance crippled similar these successful reality, I wondered, would I articulation it to marque wealth for my family?” helium told the Guardian. “I realized that, since I was a filmmaker, I could enactment my ain interaction to these kinds of stories truthful I started connected the script.”

Thankfully, the Hwang hasn’t dashed each anticipation of hitting the “Squid Game” jackpot.

“It’s imaginable that I person to bash play 2 to go arsenic affluent as ‘Squid Game’s’ winner,” helium quipped. However, arsenic of yet, it’s unclear if determination volition so beryllium a Season 2 — but adjacent if determination is, it astir apt wouldn’t driblet until 2023.