Acclaimed actress Kim Hye Soo will headline a new drama series created by Hwang Dong-hyuk, the director behind the global hit Squid Game. The project marks Hwang’s first major television endeavor since concluding the groundbreaking Netflix series in 2025. While specific plot details remain undisclosed, sources describe the show as a socially charged thriller exploring class dynamics and human morality—themes familiar to Hwang’s storytelling style.
The collaboration brings together two powerhouse figures in Korean entertainment. Kim Hye Soo, known for her roles in Signal and Juvenile Justice, is regarded as one of South Korea’s most versatile actors. Hwang Dong-hyuk’s Squid Game became a worldwide cultural phenomenon, earning widespread acclaim and multiple awards. His upcoming series is already generating significant attention from global streaming platforms, though a distributor has not yet been officially announced.
Hwang Dong-hyuk’s Post-Squid Game Creative Vision
Following the conclusion of Squid Game in June 2025, Hwang Dong-hyuk expressed his desire to explore new stories that continue to address social issues. In a recent interview, he shared his perspective on storytelling and societal commentary:
“I believe that if we just sit idly by, it’s only going to get worse from here. The so-called tech companies, the tech giants who make AI and semiconductors and whatnot, all of the global wealth is going to continue to be concentrated on them, and even more so. And I think that the global audiences, all of us, really feel that that is the reality of everything that’s happening.”
Hwang has previously mentioned his next project would be a film tentatively titled K.O. Club, which would explore “the brutal and cruel event or phenomenon that could take place in about a decade or two if we do nothing and the world goes down the current path.” However, this new drama with Kim Hye Soo appears to be a separate television project, indicating Hwang is developing multiple ideas simultaneously.
The director is known for his meticulous approach to storytelling and character development. He described his working method in a recent interview:
“I’m usually a really lazy person—extremely lazy. But once I start something, I have to go all in and see it through to the end. I can’t let go of it, so I end up exhausting myself. In that sense, I’m kind of a perfectionist.”
Kim Hye Soo’s Distinguished Career
With a career spanning over three decades, Kim Hye Soo has established herself as one of South Korea’s most respected actors. She began her career as a child actress in the 1980s and rose to prominence through various film and television roles. Her recent work includes the Netflix series Juvenile Justice (2022), where she played a tough judge known for her strict rulings on juvenile cases, and the historical film The Day I Died (2020).
Kim is known for her ability to portray strong, complex female characters across genres—from crime procedurals to historical dramas and contemporary thrillers. Her participation in Hwang’s new project signals a significant commitment, as she typically selects roles that challenge both herself and audience expectations.
The announcement of this collaboration has generated excitement among entertainment industry observers, who note that both artistes are known for their commitment to socially relevant storytelling. Kim Hye Soo’s previous works have often tackled issues of justice, power dynamics, and institutional corruption—themes that align well with Hwang Dong-hyuk’s narrative interests.
Production Timeline and Expectations
While specific production details remain under wraps, industry sources suggest the project will enter production in late 2025 or early 2026. The series is expected to follow Hwang’s pattern of high-production values and intense character-driven storytelling that made Squid Game so impactful.
Hwang’s approach to casting has previously drawn attention, particularly with his inclusion of diverse characters representing various minority groups. In Squid Game season two, he introduced a transgender character named Cho Hyun-ju, explaining:
“In season one, you’ll notice that I have a lot of characters that represent many minority groups that exist in the current society. And I did that because I believe they’re the ones who go through the most pain and struggle in the current capitalist society and the current system.”
This attention to inclusive storytelling suggests that his new project with Kim Hye Soo may continue this tradition of representing marginalized voices within larger social critiques.
Global Interest in Korean Content
The collaboration comes at a time when Korean entertainment continues to enjoy significant global popularity. Netflix’s 2025 Korean content lineup includes diverse offerings like the supernatural thriller Revelations, apartment thriller Wall to Wall, and the friendship saga You and Everything Else starring Kim Go-eun.
The streaming platform has continued to invest heavily in Korean content since the success of Squid Game, which remains one of Netflix’s most-watched series ever. Other anticipated 2025 releases include Cashero, starring Lee Jun-ho as a man whose superhuman strength is tied to his wealth, and Genie, Make a Wish, which reunites Uncontrollably Fond stars Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy.
Hwang Dong-hyuk’s new project with Kim Hye Soo is expected to draw significant interest from international distributors given the track record of both artists and the global appetite for Korean storytelling that combines social commentary with compelling drama.
As fans await more details about this exciting collaboration, the industry is watching closely to see what this powerful combination of director and actor will create next.
Also Read: Kim Hye Soo Celebrates 55th Birthday with Star-Studded Actress Gathering
Credits: Forbes, Netflix Tudum, Variety
