Squid Game’s Oh Young-soo Wins At Controversial Golden Globes

“Squid Game” supporting actor Oh Young-soo becomes the first Korean actor to win at the Golden Globes event with his role on the internationally best-selling Korean Thriller Netflix series.

Featured Image: @netflixkr (IG)

Index:

Squid Game At The Golden Globes
1. The Ongoing Success of Netflix-Produced Korean Programs
2. Squid Game Actors Absent
Golden Globes Controversy
1. “Minari” Sparks Golden Globes Rules Criticism From Viewers
2. Changes and Boycotts

Squid Game At The Golden Globes

Despite Netflix not submitting the world-dominating K-Thriller “Squid Game,” the 79th Annual Golden Globe Awards nominated the program for The Best Drama Series.

Furthermore, lead actor Lee Jung-Jae received a nomination for the Best Television Actor category. While, Oh Young-soo became the first Korean actor to take home the trophy for Best Supporting Actor.

“It is no longer ‘us in the world’, but ‘the world in us’.
While embracing the fragrance of our culture and the love of our family, I thank you all around the world. I wish you have a beautiful life. Thank you,”
Oh Young-soo following his win

The Ongoing Success of Netflix-Produced Korean Programs

In addition to the Golden Globes, The American Film Institute, The People’s Choice Awards, and the 2021 Gotham Awards have acknowledged the success and brilliance of “Squid Game,” directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk.

With the ever-growing success of Netflix-produced Korean programs, an increased amount of big-time Korean actors have begun working with the platform.

Drawn by the global audience and complex programs that offer a unique challenge for the experienced actors, top Korean actors like Kim Hye-soo, Kim Yun-jin, Jeon Jong-Seo, Hwang Jung-min, and Han Jung-wo have signed to upcoming Netflix shows.

Squid Game Actors Absent

Notably, neither Squid Game Actors Lee Jung-Jae and Oh Young-soo nor director Hwang Dong-hyuk attended the Golden Globes event.

“Though it is a great honor to be nominated for the Golden Globes, Lee will be absent from the awards ceremony after considering the situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, self-quarantine regulations and Netflix’s decision to not submit the series in the awards”
Lee Jung-jae’s management company (To The Korean Herald)

Netflix’s choice to not submit the program to the historically respected event is rumored to be caused by the recent controversy that has sprung up around the award show.

Golden Globes Controversy

Source

Traditionally honoring the best talent in film and television, viewers have accused the event of racism and sexism in its nomination and award criteria.

“Minari” Sparks Golden Globes Rules Criticism From Viewers

The criticism flared up again after the Korean American director Lee Isaac Chung’s film “Minari” was barred from competing in the then English-exclusive categories of drama, musical, or comedy category.

The film, produced by American production company Plan B and New York-based film distributor A24, took home the best foreign-language film but left the Golden Globes surrounded by an ethics controversy as many questioned the rules and award criteria of the ceremony.

Changes and Boycotts

To combat the scandal, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association have changed many of the event’s rules including, allowing non-English language movies/programs to compete in broader categories.

Despite the changes, the biggest names in Hollywood boycotted the annual award show, and many platforms did not submit their programs/films to the event (including “Squid Game”).