Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-hyuk dunked on NBA icon LeBron James after the basketball star bashed the ending of the Korean Netflix hit series.
In an interview with The Guardian on Tuesday, Hwang was asked about James’ opinion on the show’s finale.
“Yeah, I didn’t like the ending...get on the f***ing flight,” James was heard telling his fellow teammate Anthony Davis at a news conference earlier this month.
Without going into more detail with spoilers, it’s safe to assume that James’ reception of the show, in which people who are down on their luck play deadly versions of children’s games in the hopes of surviving to win 4.6 billion won ($36 million), might have unsettled him.
“Have you seen Space Jam 2?” Hwang responded, with a chuckle.
Certainly, Hwang seemed to be poking fun at James for his sequel of the cartoonish space basketball classic, which was lambasted by movie critics and received a 26 per cent Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes.
However, Hwang proved that he would have an excellent clap back if the criticism is thrown his way.
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“I’m very thankful he watched the whole series. But I wouldn’t change my ending. That’s my ending,” Hwang said. “If he has his own ending that would satisfy him, maybe he could make his own sequel. I’ll check it out and maybe send him a message saying, ‘I liked your whole show, except the ending.’”
Once James caught wind of Hwang’s response, he took to his Twitter, wondering if the situation was “real.”
“This can’t be real, right??!!! I hope not,” the NBA star captioned the tweet accompanied by laughing emojis.
This can’t be real right??!! I hope not 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/IGbqEvFGud
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 26, 2021
Check out some responses from people about the situation below.
LeBron came for the 👑 and he got the smoke. https://t.co/RMtzvDXqTn
— Chad Wylie (@chadewylie) October 27, 2021
I find this wildly entertaining on both parts. 🤓 https://t.co/KlTxzkOct4
— soc.ialrec (@s0cialrec) October 27, 2021
Wdym bro he owned you https://t.co/jXZLHi6PJf
— : ) (@gab3stan) October 27, 2021
This is so funny 😭😭😭 https://t.co/dABHUffY42
— 🍋 (@AtriaTheCreator) October 27, 2021
🤣🤣it’s reaaallll #SquidGame https://t.co/JbAYEmuurR
— lee jang mi (@hongki_mi) October 27, 2021
LeSquid James https://t.co/0YqQ6QNp1A
— Eddie Tran (@EddieTran15) October 27, 2021
Squid Game has yet to be renewed, and Hwang recently spoke to The Hollywood Reporter, mentioning that he wasn’t in a rush because of the stress he faced when filming the first season.
According to Variety, if Hwang were to produce a second season, he stated he wouldn’t “do it alone” because he doesn’t have “well-developed plans” for it.
“I’d consider using a writers’ room and would want multiple experienced directors,” he said, in part.