'Squid Game' returning for a second season, director confirms

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk confirmed that Gi-hun (played by actor Lee Jung-jae) will be back in the second season of the Netflix Korea's ″Squid Game.″ [NETFLIX]

"Squid Game," the runaway hit from Netflix, is returning for a second season, director Hwang Dong-hyuk confirmed on Monday night in an interview with the Associated Press in Los Angeles.

"I almost feel like you leave us no choice," Hwang told the news service. "There's been so much pressure, so much demand and so much love for a second season.

"It's in my head right now. I'm in the planning process currently. But I do think it's too early to say when and how that's going to happen."

"Gi-hun will be back," the director did confirm, referring to the character played by Lee Jung-jae, "and he'll do something for the world."

In an interview with CNN last month, Hwang said in the second season he might focus on minor characters from season one.

"For example, the past of Frontman and Jun-ho's story were not resolved in the season one," he said, in reference to characters played by Lee Byung-hun and Wi Ha-jun, adding that the character carrying a ticket in his bag, played by Gong Yoo, may also be further developed.

"Squid Game" became the most-viewed Netflix series ever as more than 140 million households watched 456 "losers" play deadly children's games for a chance to win 45.6 billion won ($38.6 million).

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]