'Squid Game' creator dropped 'clues' in season 1 that hint at the show's future

Can you guess where Hwang Dong-Hyuk will take the story next?

Season one of Squid Game on Netflix
(Image credit: Netflix / YOUNGKYU PARK)

 Hwang Dong-Hyuk is still toying with ideas for Squid Game season 2

The Korean thriller's debut met global success—143 million streams in 2021 alone, but who's counting—and dethroned a few of Netflix's most watched series of all time.

Despite the show's success, its creator didn't think the Netflix project would possibly get the green light for round two—get it?!—so he decided to take matters into his own hands. 

While speaking to IndieWire (opens in new tab), Dong-Hyuk confessed that he'd dropped "clues" in the first nine episodes that would allow the story to continue, if the streaming service chose to do so. 

"I had a lot of fun thinking about how to leave the audience hanging, wanting more, how to make them binge-watch the next series," he told the publication. "So what kind of cliffhangers I’m going to leave them with, after each episode? It was a level of pain and joy that I had not expected, ever."

Hwang Dong-Hyuk's 'Squid Game' clues

Season one of Squid Game on Netflix

(Image credit: Netflix / YOUNGKYU PARK)

Though Dong-Hyuk did not give specifics about said clues—so as not to reveal too much moving forward—he did highlight that he has a few cliffhangers throughout the debut season, so faithful viewers will have to review the show to make their guesses. 

"Just in case there is another season, these things could be loose knots," he stated. "I’m in the process of structuring the story and the new games, and wanting to crystallize them into more detailed ideas."

He also told the publication that expanding the characters' storylines allowed him to give them greater detail, and they've likely left a few hints here and there as the plot unfolded.

Plus, we should probably expect a few surprises. HoYeon Jung might've met her demise in season 1, but the breakout star is more than likely to return for the sophomore installment. 

So, what will this mean for the future of the games? Who will play next? What did Gi-hun do with all his money? Are we going to get a new location? We'll start taking predictions now!

Before season 2 airs—likely in 2023 or 2024—we'll just relive the show's best moments with these Squid Game memes

Danielle Valente

Danielle is a writer for woman&home and My Imperfect Life, covering all-things news, lifestyle and entertainment. 


The heart of her time at Future has been devoted to My Imperfect Life, where she's been attuned to the cosmos, new TV shows and relationship trends.  


Before her time at Future, Danielle was the editor of Time Out New York Kids and a news editor at Elite Daily. Her work has also appeared in Domino, Chowhound, amNewYork and Newsday, among other outlets. 


When Danielle is not working, you can usually find her reading a book, coffee at hand, or attempting a new recipe. (Recommendations always welcome!)