Netflix acclaimed series ‘Squid Game’ stole the show at the 2022 Emmy Awards, with South Korean actor Lee Jung-jae winning outstanding lead actor in a drama series and director Hwang Dong-hyuk taking home the trophy for top director.
Set in Seoul, Squid Game, which became the most popular show in Netflix’s history, follows the story of hundreds of players in need of money play deadly children’s games to win cash prizes.
Lee played Seong Gi-hun aka Player 456, who entered the game and ultimately won. Squid Game became a pop culture phenomenon when it dropped on Netflix in September last year. It was the first non-English language series nominated for the outstanding drama series at the Emmys. Squid Game bagged 14 nominations at this year’s awards. Lee has made history by becoming the first South Korean actor to win in the outstanding lead actor category.
After 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.”
The show’s creator, Hwang said that he hoped his Emmy as outstanding director in a drama series won’t 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.
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South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol also congratulated Hwang and Lee on their awards. “Actor Lee Jung-jae’s outstanding acting has brought the character and the viewers’ hearts together,” Yoon wrote on his Facebook page.
Actor Lee beat out nominees Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul), Jason Bateman (Ozark), Jeremy Strong (Succession), Adam Scott (Severance) and Brian Cox (Succession).
