Squid Game 3 Director Explains Controversial Symbolic Shaman Character’s Screen Time
Speaking during a June 30 interview in Seoul, _ Squid Game 3_ director Hwang Dong-hyuk acknowledged fans’ disappointment over the character’s limited screen time. Introduced in Season 2 and featured again in the final season, Contestant 44 as “Dragon Palace Shaman,” played by Chae Gook-hee, stood out for her cryptic behavior and mysterious aura. Despite expectations of a larger role, her presence remained minimal in Season 3.
Hwang explained the creative intent behind the character: “I wanted to create a bizarre and unhinged character like Han Mi-nyeo from Season 1. Shamans are symbolic in Korea—not just in tradition but even in politics.”
He added that the role was rooted in cultural relevance, pointing out real-life references to shamanism, including its appearance in recent pop culture such as K-pop Demon Hunters. “Even the former presidential office had shamanic ties. It’s still part of our national consciousness.”
Sharing a personal story, Hwang revealed that his grandmother was once deceived by a shaman, which inspired the fictional portrayal. “When the character becomes possessed, she starts predicting others’ fates. I wanted to infuse an eerie thrill through those scenes,” he said.
While the Dragon Palace Shaman’s role may have been small, it carried a symbolic weight—serving as a cultural mirror and narrative wildcard in a season packed with themes of fate, faith, and societal chaos.
