Hwang Dong-hyuk, the creator of Netflix’s global hit Squid Game, says the series’ infamous billionaire VIPs increasingly mirror real-world oligarchs, with Elon Musk serving as a striking example.
Key Takeaways:
Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk said the show’s billionaire VIPs now resemble Elon Musk.
In Season 3, VIPs shift from spectators to armed hunters.
Hwang drew inspiration from global inequality and recent political unrest in South Korea for the show’s final season.
In an interview with TIME published Friday, Hwang pointed to Musk’s larger-than-life persona and influence, noting, “Elon Musk is everywhere these days, right? Everybody talks about him… some of the VIPs do kind of resemble Elon Musk.”
The comments come as Squid Game’s highly anticipated third and final season premiered on June 27, bringing the dystopian saga of deadly games and class warfare to a brutal conclusion.
Squid Game’s VIPs Turn Hunters in Season 3
In the new episodes, the masked billionaires abandon their passive roles as spectators, donning pink soldier uniforms to actively hunt contestants with machine guns.
Hwang told TIME that the VIPs’ evolution reflects his frustration with how today’s wealthiest figures have stepped into the spotlight, flaunting control over society.
“In the past, those that really controlled the system were hidden behind the curtain,” he said.
“It’s no longer the case… They willingly take their masks off, almost as if to declare, ‘We’re the ones running everything.’”
The parallels with Musk are particularly striking in light of his soaring net worth, which currently stands at $409.8 billion — a sum surpassing the GDP of countries like Denmark and Malaysia.
Tesla and SpaceX, Musk’s companies, have yet to comment on Hwang’s remarks.
Meanwhile, Musk’s public battles with former President Trump over a contentious $2.4 trillion spending bill, which he called a “disgusting abomination,” have kept him front and center in global headlines.
Amazon founder Jeff Bezos also drew attention with a reported $46 million wedding in Venice, complete with 90 private jets, coinciding with Squid Game’s release weekend.
Hwang said he was inspired by surging inequality, rising political polarization, and recent political turmoil in South Korea, where former President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law before leaving office.
Korea’s FSC Eyes Spot Crypto ETFs
As reported, South Korea’s Financial Services Commission (FSC) has presented a roadmap to the Presidential Committee on Policy Planning proposing the approval of spot crypto ETFs.
The move came after President Lee Jae-myung’s campaign promise to modernize digital asset rules and boost opportunities for younger investors.
The plan outlines implementation measures for spot crypto ETFs and regulatory frameworks for won-based stablecoins in the second half of 2025.
Historically, the FSC blocked crypto ETFs over volatility and financial risk concerns, maintaining that cryptocurrencies were unsuitable as underlying assets.
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