Squid Game’s creator claps back at complaints the VIPs are ‘cringe’ and ‘terrible’

Critics have piled up praise on pretty much every aspect of Netflix’s Squid Game. However, one storyline sticks out as being not quite so well executed as the rest of the show. Many, many Netflix viewers have complained the scenes with the VIPs – the ultra-rich people who bet on the games – are “cringe” and “abysmal”. The creator of Squid Game, Hwang Dong-hyuk, has actually responded to all these complaints about the VIPs.

Netflix viewers are generally not fans of the VIP scenes.

A Reddit user wrote: “It’s genuinely worse than the acting I’ve seen on my company’s training videos. They were literally giving us redundant commentary in English that served nothing to the plot.”

genuinely my day is ruined every time the vips show up on screen . They r Sooo unfunny like leave the server Rn.. #SquidGame #SquidGameS3 pic.twitter.com/Q68PjSkKx0

— typ🎗 (@howtypxcal) June 27, 2025

“They talk like they’re exchanging Duolingo prompts,’ someone else moaned.

The director Hwang Dong-hyuk had a really interesting response to all this hate for the VIP scenes. He actually admitted writing the VIP scenes “wasn’t easy”.

He told ChosunBiz: “There are mixed reviews, but the VIPs are elements that appeared in season one, and that is the rule of this game. I didn’t particularly want to change that.

“I tried to cast actors with more experience than in season one. It wasn’t easy. It is difficult to cast well-known actors for roles where their faces are mostly obscured. I did my best within the limits of what I could do.

Surely it gets hot under those silly masks
(Credit: Netflix)

“I faced some challenges writing English lines as I’m not a native speaker, and there were some regrets with the English direction.

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“However, the role was essential. The discussion between the Frontman and VIPs about how to utilise this child as a player was crucial. I believe I did my best to create it. I understand there are points of contention.”

Hwang Dong-hyuk has previously explained how important the baby was for the overall message of Squid Game. He told Tudum: “Ultimately, the baby represents the future generation. I believe we also have the responsibility and duty to try everything that we can in our power to leave a better world for the future generation. The baby coming out [as] the winner was in line with the meaning of Squid Game.”

Squid Game is available on Netflix now. For all the latest Netflix news and drops, like The Holy Church of Netflix on Facebook. 

Featured image credit: Netflix