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.
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.”
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. 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.
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 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.
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.
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.