Hwang Dong Hyuk Net Worth: Did the Director Earn Millions Through ‘Squid Game’
"Squid Game," created and directed by Hwang Dong Hyuk took the world by storm. K-drama fans and viewers around the world were impressed with how unique and aesthetically pleasing the Netflix series is.
In addition, the cast lineup, with a mix of veterans and newcomers, delivered interesting chemistry leaving the audience drawn into every character.
"Squid Game," which stars Lee Jung, Park Hae Soo, Jung Ho Yeon, Wi Ha Joon, and more, follows the story of 456 debt-ridden participants whose goal is to bring home the whooping cash prize of 45.6 billion KRW or approximately 38,100,000 USD.
However, before getting the grand prize, contestants must survive six death-defying rounds based on the popular children's games, and this is where the fun starts.
Interestingly, just days after the 9-part episode series was released, "Squid Game" topped the global Netflix top 10 tv shows.
For weeks, the South Korean series reigned on the chart and was even declared as the streaming giant's "biggest series launch ever," ousting the period drama "Bridgerton."
As noted by Netflix, "Squid Game has officially reached 111 million" and reportedly pulled in a jaw-dropping 1.65 billion hours of viewing in 28 days after it was released.
With the massive success of the Korean series, did the "Squid Game" director Hwang Dong Hyuk earn millions because of it?
Hwang Dong Hyuk Net Worth
According to Exactnetworth.com, Hwang Dong Hyuk's net worth is about 5 million USD; however, amid the continued popularity and an upcoming sequel, reports noted that the South Korean filmmaker hadn't earned much more money after the show aired.
In a report cited by Bloomberg, the 9-part episode series earned over $900 million, which exceeded the production budget of approximately $21 million.
Unfortunately, Hwang Dong Hyuk confessed that he did not receive much despite the show's achievement.
In 2021, he told The Guardian, "I'm not that rich, but I do have enough," adding, "I have enough to put food on the table. And it's not like Netflix is paying me a bonus. Netflix paid me according to the original contract."
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Squid Game' Season 2: Director Hwang Dong Hyuk Teases at Jung Ho Yeon's Possible Comeback
Interestingly, it is safe to say that Hwang Dong Hyuk's net worth might increase in the coming years as the popular Netflix series is set to return for a sequel.
'Squid Game' Season 2 Release Date, Cast, and What We Know So Far
In January 2022, Netflix co-chief executive officer and chief content officer Ted Sarandos confirmed that "Squid Game" will "absolutely" return for season 2.
Interestingly, director Hwang Dong Hyuk tells Vanity Fair that the much-awaited second installment will premiere "by the end of 2023 or 2024."
Moreover, the filmmaker noted that he "only has about three pages worth of ideas that I plan to turn into a script."
He previously confirmed that Lee Jung Jae and Lee Byung Hun would reprise their roles.
To recall, Lee Jung Jae plays Seong Gi Hoon, a.k.a player number 456, while lee Byung Hun takes the role of The Frontman.
