Foreign media outlets once again brought to light the lack of additional compensation for the team behind "Squid Game," especially for its creator and director, Hwang Dong Hyuk.
The Netflix thriller K-drama delivered unprecedented success after taking the world by storm.
In addition to being the most talked-about TV show in 2021, the 9-part episode series also holds the record as the streaming giant's most popular series of all time.
"Squid Game" scored more than 1.65 billion view hours during its first 28 days after making its world premiere.
On top of it, the K-drama took home awards from different prestigious ceremonies like the SAG Awards, Emmy Awards, Golden Globes, and more.
However, amid the show's massive achievements and success, the man behind "Squid Game" "received no residuals" from the series.
In a report cited by the Los Angeles Times, Netflix received almost $1 billion in revenue from the South Korean series, while director Hwang Dong Hyuk has received zero additional compensation and no royalties despite the craze that "Squid Game" created.
READ MORE: Lee Jung Jae's Staggering Salary Demand for 'Squid Game' Season 2 Revealed
"'Squid Game' increased the value of Netflix by an estimated $900 million. It also made South Korean writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk famous-but not rich," the report says.
With the bombshell news, it raised speculation about how Netflix "exploited" South Korean creators in the digital world of streaming.
In addition, foreign reporter Max Kim asked "why and how" the streaming giant was able to "buy so much high-performing content for so cheap."
Director Hwang Dong Hyuk on Popularity and Wealth After 'Squid Game'
Back in 2021, at the height of the "Squid Game" mania worldwide, director Hwang Dong Hyuk was asked about how much he got from Netflix after creating the streaming giant's "biggest show yet."
As mentioned by the Guardian, Netflix has paid the director "according to the original contract."
"I'm not that rich. But I do have enough. I have enough to put food on the table. And it's not like Netflix is paying me a bonus," he said.
'Squid Game' Season 2 Updates: From Cast Members to Release Date
While media outlets questioned the director's royalty with "Squid Game," the Netflix series is set to return with an exciting sequel.
In June, the streaming giant dropped updates for the upcoming series.
"Squid Game" season 2 has started its script reading along with the returning and new cast members.
Lee Jung Jae, Lee Byung Hun, Wi Ha Joon, and Gong Yoo will reprise their roles, while a number of new characters will appear in the upcoming season.
Im Siwan, Kang Ha Neul, Park Sung Hoon, Yang Dong Geun, Jo Yu Ri, BIGBANG's T.O.P., Lee Jin Wook, Park Gyu Young, Won Ji An, David Lee, and Kang Ae Shim will be joining the sequel.
On the other hand, "Squid Game" season 2 starts production this July, while the premiere is set sometime in 2024.
IN CASE YOU MISSED: After Lee Jung Jae THIS 'Squid Game' Season 2 Cast Reportedly Helped BIGBANG's TOP Join the Series
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Written by Geca Wills
