‘Squid Game 2’ Director Hwang Dong-hyuk Faces Backlash for Sharp Remarks “Even a Mutt Gets Half a Meal at Home”
Hwang conducted an interview at a café in Sogyeok-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, where he discussed the global success of “Squid Game” Season 2, which topped Netflix rankings in 93 countries just two days after its release.
He expressed gratitude, “Ultimately, the popularity of a work is measured by viewing hours, and I’m deeply thankful that so many people worldwide love and have been waiting for ‘Squid Game’.”
However, some of Hwang’s comments took a sharper tone. Addressing criticisms from Korean viewers, he remarked, “Even a mutt gets half a meal at home, but it seems Korea has the harshest evaluations. I feel less at ease at home. I wish for a bit more support.”
This appeared to reflect his disappointment with the criticism aimed at “Squid Game” Season 2 following controversies involving cast members, such as T.O.P and Park Sung-hoon.
Online reactions to his statements were largely cold. Netizens commented, “Investors should start by banning Hwang from interviews”, “Who ignored public opinion against hiring T.O.P despite his drug scandal?”, “This isn’t the Olympics; why demand unconditional support?”, “He seems out of touch and arrogant” and “If it’s not entertaining, people have the right to say so.”
This isn’t the first time Hwang’s remarks have stirred controversy. In a YouTube interview with InStyle last month, prior to the release of Season 2, he boldly claimed, “If ‘Squid Game’ Season 2 isn’t fun, then nothing in this world is.”
Actor Lee Byung-hun even gestured for him to calm down, but Hwang added, “If you don’t find it fun, you’re probably just depressed.”
Additionally, after NBA star LeBron James criticized the ending of Season 2, Hwang responded in an interview with The Guardian, “Thanks for watching the whole series, but I won’t change the ending. If he has his own idea for a satisfying conclusion, he should create his own sequel. Then I’ll watch it and say, ‘It was great, except I didn’t like the ending.’”