Squid Game Creator Bets Big on New Netflix Crime Thriller The Dealer

The creative mind behind the global phenomenon Squid Game is officially returning to Netflix with a brand-new project. Hwang Dong-hyuk, the visionary director and writer who captivated the world with his dystopian survival series, is set to produce a fresh original series for the streaming giant. Titled The Dealer, the upcoming show moves away from the deadly children’s games of his previous hit and dives deep into the high-stakes world of illegal gambling and casino crime.

While fans might be expecting Hwang to take the director’s chair again, he will be serving primarily as an executive producer for this project through his production banner, Firstman Studio. This allows him to guide the creative vision of the series while handing over the directorial duties to Choi Young-hwan. Choi is a celebrated cinematographer known for his work on major Korean hits like The Thieves and Veteran, and The Dealer will mark his highly anticipated directorial debut. The script is being penned by writers Ohnooy and Lee Tae-young.

The storyline of The Dealer promises to be just as gripping as Hwang’s previous works, though grounded in a more realistic type of thrill. The series centers on a character named Geonhwa, a brilliant and highly skilled casino dealer. Her life seems to be on a stable track as she prepares for her wedding, but everything unravels when she becomes the victim of a devastating housing fraud scheme.

Stripped of her savings and facing financial ruin, Geonhwa is forced to abandon her straight-and-narrow path. To survive and reclaim her future, she dives back into the treacherous gambling underworld she had once tried to escape. The synopsis suggests a narrative filled with tension, as Geonhwa must utilize her long-suppressed skills to navigate a dangerous criminal ecosystem where the odds are constantly stacked against her.

The cast for The Dealer has already been confirmed, featuring some recognizable faces from the world of K-drama. Leading the series is Jung So-min, who will take on the complex role of Geonhwa. Joining her are actors Ryoo Seung-bum, Lee Soo-hyuk, and Ryu Kyung-soo. The combination of a strong ensemble cast and Hwang’s production oversight has already generated significant buzz, with industry insiders expecting another potential hit for Netflix’s Korean content slate.

Hwang Dong-hyuk’s decision to produce rather than direct is likely a strategic move to manage his workload. The filmmaker has been open about the immense physical and mental toll that creating Squid Game took on him. In various interviews, he revealed that the stress of writing and directing the first season alone caused him to lose multiple teeth. With Squid Game Season 2 having just released in late 2024 and the third and final season scheduled for 2025, Hwang has been fully immersed in expanding that universe. Taking a producer role on The Dealer allows him to bring a new story to life without the exhausting day-to-day demands of showrunning.

For those unfamiliar with the lead actress, Jung So-min has been a staple in the Korean entertainment industry for over a decade. She gained widespread popularity internationally for her role in the fantasy romance Alchemy of Souls, where she played the intricate character Mu-deok. She is also well-known for her performances in the romantic comedy Love Next Door and the slice-of-life drama Because This Is My First Life. Her ability to handle both comedic and deeply emotional roles makes her a compelling choice for a character facing the desperate circumstances outlined in The Dealer.

Lee Soo-hyuk, who is also joining the cast, is another actor with a strong following. Known for his sharp features and deep voice, he often plays charismatic, sometimes villainous roles. He has recently been seen in the fantasy series Tomorrow and the thriller S Line. His involvement usually signals a character with a mysterious or intimidating edge, which fits perfectly into a noir-style gambling drama.

The announcement of The Dealer comes at a time when Netflix is aggressively doubling down on its investment in Korean content. Following the unprecedented success of Squid Game in 2021, which remains the platform’s most-watched series of all time, the streamer has seen continuous success with Korean thrillers and dramas. By keeping Hwang Dong-hyuk in the fold, Netflix is clearly hoping to capture lightning in a bottle twice, leveraging his reputation for gritty, high-quality storytelling to attract viewers to this new casino-themed saga.

As production for The Dealer gets underway, fans are also keeping a close eye on the conclusion of the Squid Game saga. With the final season on the horizon, the expansion of Hwang’s creative output suggests he is ready to explore new genres beyond the survival thriller category. Whether The Dealer will achieve the same cultural impact as his previous work remains to be seen, but the talent attached to the project certainly sets a high bar.

We would love to hear if you are excited to see Jung So-min in a gritty crime role or if you prefer Hwang Dong-hyuk’s survival game stories, so please let us know your thoughts in the comments.