3 Must-Watch Films Directed By “Squid Game” Creator Hwang Dong Hyuk Are Now On Netflix
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Three films by the mastermind behind the hit show Squid Game are now available in select countries on Netflix! Show creator Hwang Dong Hyuk may have waited ten years to get Squid Game out to audiences, but he directed a number of critically acclaimed films before then.
Before bringing the visually astounding and socially relevant Squid Game to life, [Hwang Dong Hyuk] directed several acclaimed South Korean feature films — and now, three of those movies are available on Netflix in The US!
— Netflix (@Netflix)
1. Silenced
Much like Squid Game critiqued the capitalist elements of society, Silenced brought to light the injustice experienced by people with disabilities as well as the leniency of courts. Released in 2011, Silenced (also known as The Crucible) is based on a novel by Gong Ji Young. The story follows events that took place at the Gwangju Inhwa School for hearing-impaired people where young deaf students were the victims of sexual assault for years at the hands of faculty members.
Following the film’s release came public outcry over the lack of protections for people with disabilities. The case was reopened and the Korean National Assembly passed the Dogani Law (named after the Korean name of the film) to increase protections for children and the disabled.
2. Miss Granny
Miss Granny was a huge shift from his previous work, which were dark social commentaries. This 2014 comedy-drama follows a woman in her 70s who finds herself in her 20-year-old body after having her photograph taken. It was a huge box office success, selling over 8.65 million tickets. Hwang spoke about his move into more lighthearted films in a press conference.
With My Father and Silenced, I always seemed to be making social films with dark subject matter, but in reality, I am a fun person. This time I really wanted to make a happy and light film.
— Hwang Dong Hyuk
3. The Fortress
Hwang’s 2017 film The Fortress was another big commercial hit; it sold almost 4 million tickets in Korea and won numerous honors across Asian film awards ceremonies. This historical drama is based on the novel Namhansanseong by Kim Hoon. It stars Kim Yoon Seok and Lee Byung Hun, the latter being a recurring character in Squid Game, as rival advisors to King Injo.
Currently, Silenced and Miss Granny are the only ones available on Netflix UK. However, all three are now streaming on Netflix USA. Need some more recommendations? Check out this list of must-watch Korean movies that are just as impactful as Squid Game‘s infamous 6th episode.
5 Must-Watch Korean Movies If “Squid Game” Episode 6 Hits You Right In The Feels
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