Squid Game, the South Korean thriller, has gained worldwide attention on Netflix. However, behind its success lies a troubling tale of the show’s creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, and his lack of fair compensation. According to a Los Angeles Times report, while the series propelled South Korea’s content production, concerns have arisen about labor practices and the absence of residuals for talents like Hwang.
Initially rejected by local distributors, Squid Game found support in Netflix, which took a risk on the unconventional series. Despite a modest budget of about $2.4 million an episode, the nine-part series increased Netflix’s value by an estimated $900 million.