The Hidden Cost of Creation: How Squid Game's Creator Lost 8–9 Teeth to Stress

When Squid Game exploded onto Netflix in September 2021, viewers around the world were riveted by its brutal contests, biting social critique, and unforgettable characters. Yet behind the scenes, the show's mastermind, writer-director Hwang Dong-hyuk, paid a steep personal price: he literally lost eight or nine of his own teeth to the stress of bringing Season 1 to life.

From Debt to Dystopia

Before Squid Game, Hwang Dong-hyuk was a struggling filmmaker in South Korea. He spent his days hunched over scripts in neighborhood manga cafés, dreaming up a survival-game story inspired by Japanese titles like Battle Royale and Kaiji—tales of desperate people forced into deadly contests to win life-changing money. After nearly two decades of pitches that went nowhere, Netflix greenlit his script in 2019, setting the stage for a phenomenon that would amass over 1.6 billion viewing hours in its first month and become Netflix's most-watched show ever.

The Toll of Tension

The worldwide frenzy around Squid Game brought immense pressure on Hwang to deliver a flawless first season—one that balanced tight pacing, high-stakes drama, and nuanced social commentary. In a candid interview at a Netflix event, he revealed that the stress was so extreme he lost eight or nine teeth during production: "I'd be rewriting scripts late into the night, coordinating complex set-pieces, and worrying about every visual detail. By the time we wrapped Season 1, my dentist said I'd worn down and cracked so many crowns, I needed extensive work." Rolling 12-hour days on the company's massive sets—and shouldering the weight of global expectations—took a physical as well as a mental toll. Hwang admitted he "forwent dental health" to hit deadlines, ultimately losing more teeth than he ever expected.

Beyond the Bite: Lessons for Creators

Hwang's dental ordeal underscores a universal truth: creativity under fire can come at real cost. Whether you're directing a blockbuster or crafting your first novel, burn-out isn't just a buzzword—it can impact your body as well as your mind.

Schedule Recovery

Build in deliberate "off" time. Even a 15-minute walk or a short meditation break can disrupt the stress cycle and protect your health.

Share the Load

Delegate when possible. Hwang praised his assistant directors and writers for stepping up, but regrets he didn't lean on them sooner.

Guard Your Health

Regular check-ins with a dentist or doctor shouldn't wait until the credits roll. Preventive care can save you from major repairs—and pain—down the line.

What's Next for Squid Game?

Despite the physical toll of Season 1, Hwang vowed to press on—and Season 2, premiering December 26 2024, is already in the can. He's promised bigger stakes, new games, and deeper dives into characters like Seong Gi-hun and the enigmatic Front Man. But this time, he's carving out more space for rest, vowing not to lose "any more teeth" to the process.

Whether you're a Netflix binge-watcher or an aspiring creator, Hwang Dong-hyuk's story is a stark reminder: passion and excellence shouldn't come at the cost of your well-being. Take a moment today to step away from your own "game," recharge, and return stronger—teeth intact.

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