Squid Game actor Lee Jung-jae made history as the first Asian actor to receive the award for best actor in a drama series at the Emmys. In over twenty years of acting and directing, this is the first Emmy nomination and Emmy Award he has received.
Since its release on Netflix in 2021, Squid Game has become a smashing success and cultural phenomenon. Lee played the lead character, Seong Gi-hun, a Korean single father who joined the Squid Game in an attempt to pay off his gambling debts. Known as player 456 in the game, he miraculously wins the $4.56 million prize, at the cost of every other contestant's life.
The Squid Game received a staggering 14 nominations for a variety of awards, including outstanding production, writing, cinematography, and music just to name a few. Out of those 14 nominations, the production team alone racked up 3 Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Visual Effects In A Single Episode, Outstanding Production Design For A Narrative Contemporary Program, and Outstanding Stunt Performance. Additionally, director Hwang Dong-hyuk took home the award for Best Director, while supporting actress Lee You-mi received the award for Best Outstanding Guest Actress for her role as Ji-yeong. The show prevailed over many groundbreaking series, including Better Call Saul, Succession, Euphoria, Stranger Things, and Ozark.
Social media is abuzz with praise for Squid Game. “Lee Jung-jae made another mark (for) the Korean movie industry,” wrote one South Korean viewer on Twitter. Another called it a “historical moment” for Korea’s film industry. Even South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol took the time to congratulate the cast and crew on his Facebook page. “Actor Lee Jung-jae’s outstanding acting has brought the character and the viewers’ hearts together,” Yoon wrote.
Squid Game's resounding success marks a paradigm shift in the diversity of stories accepted by the mainstream media. In addition to being the first Asian actor to receive the Emmy win, Lee was also the first actor to win the award for a non-English speaking role. Considering the long history of white-dominated television and film award shows, Lee and his team's accolades are a milestone that will hopefully open up the American audience to an array of unique international film and television projects. Their victories are impactful not just for Korean film, but for filmmakers all over the world who struggle to have their stories heard.
After just one season, Squid Game is already an incredibly influential show that has not only captivated audiences but also influenced positive social change. Fans can only hope that season two will make a similar splash.
Squid Game season 1 is currently available on Netflix.
Source: The Emmys, 낫/Twitter, 감자탕탕/Twitter, Yoon Suk Yeol/Facebook