SAG Awards 2022: “Squid Game” breaks a record and wins 3 major honors; Korean star Lee Jung-Jae wins best male actor award

Los Angeles: “Squid Game” continues to make history at the 2022 Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards as the hit Korean survival drama took home three major honors, including Outstanding Action Performance as an Ensemble stuntmen, during the Sunday evening ceremony. Korean star Lee Jung-Jae won his first-ever SAG award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series and actor-turned-model Jung Ho-Yeon also won his first award in Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor. female actor in a drama series. Category.

Created and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, “Squid Game” follows a group of cash-strapped and debt-ridden people who agree to enter a mysterious contest based on Korean children’s games that promises the sole survivor a prize in cash of 45.6 billion won (37.8 million USD).

Lee and Jung now join Korean actor Youn Yuh-jung (“Minari”) in winning a trophy at the SAG Awards, given by the actors to their fellow actors.

The hit drama was also nominated for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series, but lost to HBO’s satirical family drama “Succession.”

Lee, a massive star in native South Korea thanks to K-dramas like ‘Chief of Staff’ and film series ‘Along With the Gods’, ‘The Face Reader’ and ‘The Housemaid’, appeared overwhelmed with his victory as he accepted the award on stage and spoke with the assistance of an interpreter.

“Oh my God, thank you so much! It’s really huge that this happened to me. I wrote something but I don’t think I will be able to read it. Thank you so much to the SAG-AFTRA awards and thank you to the global public for everything your love for ‘Squid Game.’ And thank you ‘Squid Game’ team,” he said.

Lee, who played Seong Gi-hun aka Player 456 who emerges as the winner at the end of the show, defeated Brian Cox, Kieran Culkin and Jeremy Strong (“Succession”) and Billy Crudup (“The Morning Show”). He has already been nominated for the 2022 Golden Globes for his performance.

For Jung, this moment was even more special as she took home the trophy for her acting debut. She tried out for the role of North Korean defector Kang Sae-byeok (player #067) who takes part in this deadly competition to save her parents across the border.

“First and foremost, thank you so much. I’ve sat many times watching you on the big screen dreaming of one day becoming an actor. I just want to say thank you so much,” the rising star said via of the interpreter. .

An emotional Jung later said in English, “Thank you (for making my) dream come true and opening the door for me. I love my ‘Squid Game’ team!”

Her other nominees in the category were Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon (“The Morning Show”), Elisabeth Moss (“The Handmaid’s Tale”) and Sarah Snook (“Succession”).

In the Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series category, “Squid Game” emerged victorious, leaving behind “Mare of Easttown,” “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,” “Loki,” and “ Cobra Kai”.

Veteran actor O Yeong-su won a Golden Globe earlier this year for the show and with three SAG Award wins, “Squid Game” looks unstoppable.

The show broke records as the first Korean TV series and first foreign language show to be nominated for the SAG Awards.

It also became the buzzword when it premiered on Netflix last September, with the streamer claiming it had become its “biggest series launch” with 111 million views since its debut.

Of the show’s three SAG wins, Hwang said as the show’s director “today must be the happiest time”.

“I remember all the days of first meetings with actors, auditions, visits to theaters to see their performances, script readings, rehearsals and shooting days.

“I want to sincerely thank not only the actors who were nominated today, but also all of the support and over 300 background talents. ‘Squid Game’ would never have been what it has become without the dedication and the hard work of each and every one of you. You deserve all the glory and credit,” Hwang said in a statement to E! On line.

“Squid Game” will return for a second season and a potential third chapter.

In 2020, Bong Joon-ho’s acclaimed film “Parasite” received the Best Ensemble trophy at the SAG and went on to dominate the Oscars, including the Best Picture honor.

The SAG Awards are honors bestowed by the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) for outstanding performance in film and primetime television.