AO EXCLUSIVE: Director and casts share intriguing concept of Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’
The viewers once again get their attention drawn when Squid Game, the new thriller and survival game series on Netflix released its teaser. From the title itself, teasers, and synopsis, how did the director and writer came up with this? What’s more behind this simple-turned-survival children game?
Buckle up and be ready to participate in the said game along with the excellent director and writer Hwang Dong Hyuk and the participating casts, Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo, Jung Ho Yeon, Heo Sung Tae, and Wi Ha Jun in the series’ recently concluded press conference on September 15.
The set for Squid Game‘s press conference depicts the setting of the series. It has two masked men that made the atmosphere exciting as the casts delve into a board game with colorful shapes symbolizing some facts about the show.
The writer as well as the director, Hwang Dong Hyuk starts it off by sharing what Squid Game means to him, “Squid Game is a game I used to play as a child in the schoolyard or the streets of the neighborhood. This is a story about people who used to play this game as children and return to play it as adults. It was one of the most physical and it was also one of my favorite games. I felt that this game could be the most symbolic children’s game that could represent the kind of society we live in today.”
Thrilling series yet with timely message
Despite this bloody and intriguing plot, Squid Game has something to be taken off and reflect on. According to the director, when you finish watching the series, you will start thinking why they had to compete so hard and that would also lead you to think and reflect on why you are living such a competitive life.
He quoted, “Why do we have to compete all the time? Where it all started? Where did it lead us to?”
In this series, we will see how the participants struggle to win. It will focus on watching people how to act and respond in certain scenarios. Mainly, focuses on the losers rather than the winner. This also left us with a question, without losers will there be winners?
Squid Game details
Looking back, the year 2008 was when Director-writer Hwang Dong Hyuk wrote the first draft of Squid Game. The script was actually finished before his other works, Silenced and The Fortress.
As many people got curious about the masked men in the set who are also present in the series, he pointed out their descriptions, “The masked men are the people running and operating the games. They’re all wearing the same outfit, but they have different shapes drawn on their masks. The circles are the masked workers. The triangle masks are soldiers who are armed. The square masks are the managers. I got this from the world of ants.”
Talking about why he chose this kind of plot, of using children’s game with adult players risking and facing death for a grand prize, he replied, “I wanted to do something different, I wanted to bring up some nostalgia too. So the kind of place where children come in and play is something that I wanted to create, so the color and object are set in there.”
Moreover, the casts were really amazed by the set and the plot. Jung Jae expressed his admiration for the first game set as it is the most memorable part for him. Actor Wi Ha Jun also addressed, “The script is extremely original. Shocking how children’s game could use this way.”
Perfect casting
Among the respective actors who starred in various and numerous drama and movie series, actress Jung Ho Yeon marks this portrayal as her debut in the acting industry. She shared that she auditioned for the character of Sae Byeok and stayed up all night until the morning to read the script as it is really interesting.
“I was in New York to prepare for the fashion week. But then the agency ask me to send them the self-tape audition video and I decided to take part. I actually put all my energy into practicing acting. Director wanted to see me in person, so I flew to Korea straight from my schedule in New York.”
The Director seconded that Jung Ho Yeon is the perfect fit for Sae Byeok’s character in the series. A lot of female actresses auditioned but her voice and stare captured him the most. Other actors were also chosen by the director because of their unique abilities that are perfectly fit to the characters he made.
Would you take a risk in 45.6 billion won prize?
Lee Jung Jae and Park Hae Soo respond that even with this great amount of money, they won’t take the risk of joining. While Jung Ho Yeon answered it implicitly, “It’s not about the money, I think, but putting your life at risk and that experience of giving your all is an incomparable experience.”
Heo Sung Tae, on the other hand, said that as he is 45 years old already, he thinks more about the meaning of life these days and for him, money is not the meaning of life, so it is a no for him. Meanwhile, Wi Ha Jun’s answer amazed everyone as he thinks that he could win the game of survival.
The director also shared his vision as someone who created the series, “I wrote it thinking I want to be part of a game. I thought to myself, I wish there’s a chance like this. But now, I don’t think I can put my life at risk. But these days, I feel like all of us agree that every day is a survival game.”
Successfully, the director and the casts completed their mission in finishing the game and answering the press’ questions. They shared a meaningful view and output of the series with passion and excitement. Squid Game is a series that we must look forward to!
Mark your calendars as the official game will start on September 17, exclusively on Netflix!
Photo courtesy of Netflix
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