‘Squid Game’ actor Lee Jung-jae and director Hwang Dong-hyuk make Emmy history
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 12: (L-R) Lee Jung-jae, winner of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for "Squid Game" and Hwang Dong-hyuk, winner of Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series for "Squid Game" pose in the press room during the 74th Primetime Emmys at Microsoft Theater on September 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
The Netflix hit “Squid Game” racked up historic wins on the 74th Emmy Awards, including best lead actor in a drama series for South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae and outstanding director for the same show for Hwang Dong-hyuk.
The dystopian series, which was set in Seoul and became the most popular program in Netflix ever, had hundreds of players playing lethal kid games for cash rewards.
Lee took played the role of Player 456, a single parent who joined the game and ultimately prevailed.
When it premiered in September, the program became a pop cultural phenomenon, and it was the first non-English language series to be nominated for an Emmy for outstanding drama series. It was nominated for 14 awards this year. Lee is the first South Korean actor to receive the award for finest main actor.
On accepting his award, Lee thanked director Hwang “for making a realistic problem we all face come to life so creatively on the screen with a great script and amazing visuals.”
Hwang, the show’s creator, expressed optimism that his Emmy for outstanding director in a drama series will not be his last.
“I want to thank the TV Academy for this honor and also a huge thank-you to Netflix,” he said in his speech and gave a shout out to Netflix boss Ted Sarandos.
“On to season two,” he told the audience.
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol congratulated Hwang and Lee on their awards, and said Lee had honed his skills through dramas and movies.
“Actor Lee Jung-jae’s outstanding acting has brought the character and the viewers’ hearts together,” Yoon wrote on his Facebook page.
Actor Lee won over nominees Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Jason Bateman (Ozark), Jeremy Strong (Succession), Adam Scott (Severance) and Brian Cox (Succession).
