‘Squid Game’ creator’s next series officially begins production: Here’s all you need to know about ‘The Dealer’

After ‘Squid Game’s’ massive success, creator Hwang Dong-hyuk has officially begun working on his next series. Hwang, the man behind one of OTT’s most watched series, is now all set to make his comeback. From genre to the main cast, here’s all you need to know about the South Korean filmmaker Hwang Dong-hyuk’s new project.

Hwang will be producing ‘The Dealer’

Hwang’s next project is a Korean casino crime drama series with Netflix, called ‘The Dealer.’ Unlike ‘Squid Game,’ Hwang won’t be directing this series; he will be producing it. The series will be directed by acclaimed cinematographer Choi Young-Hwan and will be his directorial debut. The streamer confirmed the production of the show and unveiled the lead cast on Tuesday.

The plot of ‘The Dealer’

The show's plot focuses on the talented casino dealer Geonwha, whose plans to get married become more complicated after a housing fraud scheme. This leaves her with no choice but to return to gambling and the criminal underworld in order to regain control of her future.

The logline read, "Geonhwa finds her life upended when a housing scam derails her newlywed plans. Forced into the underworld she's avoided, she unleashes the full extent of her powers for the test."\

‘The Dealer’s’ cast and characters

Hwang’s ‘Squid Game’ took some big and small names and made them bigger. Now, ‘The Dealer’s’ cast also includes some popular names in the industry. The main character Geonwha’s role will be played by ‘Love Next Door’ star Jung So-min; ‘Doom at Your Service’ star Lee Soo-hyuk will play the part of a formidable casino player, Jo Jun. Other names include Ryoo Seung-bum and Ryu Kyung-soo.

‘The Dealer’ sets expectations high

‘The Dealer’ naturally sets the expectations high after ‘Squid Game’ created immense global buzz.


Meanwhile, the English version of the famed South Korean thriller show Squid Game is ready to set sail. As per a report in the Collider, a new listing from the Film and Television Industry Alliance website states that the shoot for the show will start in February 2026, and Los Angeles and California have been selected as the top locations for the shoot. It will have an epic crossover with the South Korean thriller, but the games will be played by new English players.