Squid Game Achieves Historic Wins at the 74th Primetime Emmys

By Defne eldem, Arts & Entertainments Editor, The Pawprint DAA 

The American and international television industries are recognized for artistic and technical excellence through the Emmy Awards, or Emmys. Throughout the course of the year, a number of annual Emmy Award ceremonies are conducted, each with their own set of regulations and award categories. On January 25, 1949, at the Hollywood Athletic Club, the first Emmy Awards were presented, but only for programs created and broadcast locally in the Los Angeles region.

Every year, throughout the course of the year, a number of Emmy event competitions are hosted. Celebrating both regionally and locally produced programs as well as nationally televised shows. Each event’s award categories, nomination, voting processes, and voting committee guidelines are unique.

Several Squid Game cast members, including Lee Jung-jae, Jung Ho-yeon, Park Hae-soo, and Oh Young-soo, had been nominated in multiple categories and overall received 14 nominations and wins during the 2022 Emmy Awards on September 12 (EST). Lee was nominated for his performance as Seong Gi-hun for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, which the Netflix series won twice. This marked the first time an Asian actor has won the award. In his speech, the 49-year-old actor thanked the Television Academy and Netflix, before adding: “Thank you to Director Hwang for making realistic problem[s] we all face come to life so creatively on the screen, with a great script and amazing visuals.” “To everyone watching from Korea, my friends, family, and dearest fans, I want to share this joy with you. Thank you,” Lee wrapped up in Korean.

Squid Game was also up for awards for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series, and Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series. Actress Lee Yoo-mi won the Outstanding Guest Actress prize at the Creative Arts Emmys on September 4 for her portrayal of Ji-yeong in the popular series.

In Addition, Director Hwang won Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series, making it the first time a drama in a language other than English has won in this category. Hwang has triumphed over the creators of TV series including Yellowjackets, Severance, Ozark, and Severance.The same night, Squid Game earned three additional awards in addition to Lee’s: Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Single Episode, Outstanding Stunt Performance, and Outstanding Production Design for a Narrative Contemporary Program (One Hour or More). Squid Game has received awards in six of the 14 categories in which it was nominated for this year’s Emmys.“People keep telling me, like, I made history, but I don’t think I made history by myself. Because it was you who opened up the doors for Squid Game, inviting us here tonight at the Emmys,” said the director. “I truly hope that Squid Game won’t be the last non-English series to be here at the Emmys, and I also hope this won’t be my last Emmy either,”