The creative team behind Netflix’s acclaimed series “Squid Game” is gearing up for the highly anticipated second season, which is set to premiere on June 27. The newest game to start this season is called “Mingle.” It intends to inspire a mood of brutality and anarchy, made possible through the concentrated work of artists like creator and executive producer Hwang Dong-hyuk, lead actor Lee Jung-jae, manufacturing developer Chae Kyoung-sun, cinematographer Kim Ji-yong, author Jung Jae-il, and editor Nam Na-young.
Hwang Dong-hyuk opened up about the challenges that went into creating the game. He explained that a specially-designed rotating disc, which can fit 300 participants, was built just for this event. This bold design choice adds to the eerie mood that the doppelgang creators sought to create within “Mingle.”
“We actually built that rotating disc which could hold 300 people.” – Hwang Dong-hyuk
For cinematographer Kim Ji-yong, it became tricky to shoot given the scale of the set. He struggled to do justice to the immensity of the landscape with a single photograph. He explained how the ever-changing landscape of the set meant careful planning and placement was needed when filming on location.
“So we had to shoot with this movement in the frame.” – Kim Ji-yong
While on set, production designer Chae Kyoung-sun made it very clear that she was pushing for realism above all else. Amber explained that all of it was real and specifically designed to create an atmosphere of realism. The ornate installation featured 2,000 light bulbs. Designed to create a “sparkly” and “beautiful” atmosphere, the bulbs added a tense beauty that intensified the drama of the game.
“2,000 light bulbs were used. We wanted to show this sparkly, beautiful lighting…and it took about three months to build.” – Chae Kyoung-sun
Beyond the look, the production team’s work went into creating a distinct sonic environment. Composer Jung Jae-il discussed the importance of music in creating the mood for the series. He explained a contrast of joyfulness and anxiety that define the score.
“There’s a brightness, a purity, but at the same time, that tension.” – Jung Jae-il
With the premiere date still a few years away, anticipation is already high for “Squid Game” season 2. Lee Jung-jae will be back to reprise his character, ensuring that fans will be treated to a further taut and pulse-pounding chapter.
We consciously chose the designs for the set and lighting to deliberately evoke feelings that will help make it memorable for audiences. As Hwang Dong-hyuk noted, it was so chaotic that most of the scenes were shot in silence. To achieve this, he created a set that looked “weird and dysfunctional” from above, reproducing the chaos that underscores the game.
“When you look at it from above, it’s weird and dysfunctional, and it looks like so much chaos.” – Hwang Dong-hyuk
Along with the all–new game Mingle, which is pretty cool, we think producers snuck an exciting Easter egg in one scene you’re going to love. This clue all but confirms a third season of “Squid Game,” fueling even more rumors and conjecture surrounding the limited series blockbuster.
Even Nam Na-young, the lead editor on “Squid Game,” was taken aback when she first saw the show’s music. She now admitted that they did not expect it to become so immensely popular.
“We didn’t know that the song would become so famous.” – Nam Na-young
