Squid Game writer and director Hwang Dong-hyuk has revealed the real reason why the upcoming series of the Netflix hit has been split into two parts.

The dystopian survival thriller became an instant hit after it landed on the streaming service in 2021. 

Fans had to wait three years for the next instalment of the show (series two), which landed in December 2024, and luckily they've only had to wait six months for the third. 

But that is partly because the second season was cut in half - and many fans have wondered why he made the decision to do so.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline at the Squid Game season three premiere on Thursday, Hwang Dong-hyuk, 54, said: 'I originally didn't plan for it to be split into two seasons.

'I was thinking that it'd be a single one, but in the process of writing it, it came out to about 13 episodes, which I thought was too long to put out as a single season.

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'And I also thought it was too long when you look at current trends.

'So I thought that we wanted to split it, and if we were to split it, at the end of episode seven, when Seong Gi-hun hits rock bottom after his rebellion failed...

'I thought that was the just the right moment to sort of dividing into two chapters.'

One question that a lot of fans want to know the answer to is if there is a fourth coming anytime soon.   

Hwang Dong-hyuk told us: 'I think that once you watch season three, people will understand why the story should come to a closure here.

'So I don't have any plans for a season four.'

The writer then went on to share some very exciting news about some other projects relating to the hit show. 

He added: 'But I do have some ideas, maybe about a spin off.' 

MailOnline also caught up with Lee Jung-jae, 52 - who plays protagonist Seong Gi-hun in the show - and asked what he thought about the other 'real life' programmes that have been made off the back of the Netflix hit. 

Squid Game: The Challenge hit the streaming service in 2023.

It follows a group of contestants battling it out for $4.56 million. 

He said: 'I always thought that having somethings that come out of an original story so that many people can enjoy it further...

'I've always seen it as a good thing. 

'Whether or not that is successful, I don't think that is important, what I think is important is that there is more for people to enjoy.' 

Netflix's official synopsis of the show reads: 'Hundreds of cash-strapped players accept a strange invitation to compete in children's games. 

'Inside, a tempting prize awaits — with deadly high stakes.' 

The second series saw 456 players return to the game in a bid to win 45.6 billion won. 

Seong Gi-hun decided to re-enter the game to defeat the Front Man.

He tried to rebel against those that are in charge of the evil games, but doesn't get very far after he loses his best friend Jung-bae (Lee Seo-hwan), shortly after Front Man murdered him. 

But luckily fans don't have long to wait until they find out what happens next. 

The star-studded cast includes Lee Jung-jae, 52, Park Gyu-young, 31, Gong Yoo, 45, Lee Byung-hun, 54, Jo Yu-ri, 23, and Wi Ha-joon, 33.

They are joined by the likes of Roh Jae-won, 31, Lee Seo-hwan, 52, Yim Siwan, 36, Yang Dong-guen, 46, and Kim Jun-hee, 25.

Neflix dropped the official trailer of the upcoming season earlier this month. 

While some were left 'disappointed' by Squid Game 2 at the end of last year, others can't wait to see what happens at the end of June.  

Many rushed to the comments section of the YouTube video to share their excitement. 

'Not having to wait 2-3 years between seasons is so refreshing. '

'The fact that we just waited 7 months for the season 3 instead of 3 years is crazy !'   

Less than a month!? Thank you for not making us wait until 2028 after the trailer drops, looks [fire emoji]. 

'The best decision made with Squid Game is that after waiting almost 4 years, we're getting seasons 2 and 3 in a span of 6 months after an open ending that felt deserved.' 

Squid Game is available to stream exclusively on Netflix.