Squid Game Director: 6 Years Devoted to Series Was a Miracle - No Season 4, But Spin-offs Possible
Hwang Dong-hyuk confirms Season 3 will be the final chapter of Gi-hun's story, but hints at exploring untold narratives
"Squid Game" creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has definitively ruled out a fourth season but left the door open for potential spin-offs as the global phenomenon concludes with Season 3 on June 27, 2025.
At a press conference at Seoul Dragon City on June 9, Hwang reflected on his journey: "I've spent about six years on 'Squid Game' since I began writing it, and during that time, unimaginable miracles occurred. Every creator dreams of success, but no one expects something this massive."
At the 2025 Gotham Television Awards where he received the Creator Tribute Award, Hwang said: "It feels like the miracles keep coming... just being back here again is a miracle in itself."
When asked whether Season 3 would be the ultimate end, Hwang confirmed he has no plans for a fourth installment: "After watching Season 3, some may think there's room for a Season 4, while others may feel there's no need for one." This decision was made collaboratively with Netflix during Season 3's development.
Hwang described the upcoming final season: "Season 3 follows Seong Gi-hun, who falls into guilt and despair after losing his closest friend during the revolt, and how he rises again from rock bottom."
Despite ruling out Season 4, Hwang hasn't completely closed the door on the Squid Game universe. "I have considered the idea of a spin-off. There were moments during production when I grew curious myself," he revealed.
He's been specific about his vision: "If I make [a] spin off, it will be a story happening between Season 1 and 2. There [was] a three years gap between Season 1 and 2, so I want to show what they did for those times."
Hwang's path wasn't easy. He first conceived Squid Game in 2008, but it took him 10 years to see it realized after being told his script was "too unrealistic and violent to be commercially viable." Netflix finally invested in the project in 2019 as part of their drive to expand foreign programming.
The intense creative process took its toll - Hwang lost six teeth from stress during production, saying the process "drained him physically, mentally, and emotionally."
While Hwang steps back, the Squid Game universe continues expanding. Netflix is already developing "Squid Game: America" under director David Fincher, which will not be a remake of Hwang's original concept.
Hwang won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series in 2022, making him the first South Korean to win in that category. The series became Netflix's most-watched show and generated significant cultural impact worldwide.
Season 3 premieres globally on Netflix June 27, 2025, bringing Seong Gi-hun's story to its conclusion while potentially opening doors to new narratives within the deadly game's universe.
