In the bustling city of Seoul, amidst the shadows of financial despair and social inequality, a single idea was born—a story that would captivate the hearts of millions and redefine entertainment forever.

But this is more than just a tale about a show.

This is the story of its creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk, whose struggles mirror the very themes of survival and hope that have made Squid Game a cultural phenomenon.

And what happened next will leave you in awe.

The year was 2008. Hwang Dong-hyuk wasn’t living the glamorous life of a filmmaker.

He was broke, sharing a small apartment with his mother, drowning in debt, and forced to sell his only laptop to keep the lights on.

During this time, Hwang found solace in a manhwabang—a Korean comic book café. Inspired by the dark, dystopian worlds of manga and his own struggles with poverty, an idea began to take shape.

An idea about ordinary people pushed to their limits, competing in deadly games for survival and unimaginable riches.