Lee played Player 456, a cash-strapped father who entered the game and eventually won.
The show became a pop culture phenomenon when it debuted last September and was the first non-English-language series to be nominated for Outstanding Drama Series at the Emmys. It received 14 nominations at this year’s awards. Lee is the first South Korean actor to win in the outstanding actor category.
After accepting his award, Lee thanked director Hwang “for making a realistic problem we all face so creatively come to life on screen with a great script and stunning visuals.”
Series creator Hwang said he hoped his Emmy for Outstanding Director in a Drama Series would not 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.
“In season two,” he told the audience.
Speaking previously to CNN, Hwang shared his inspiration for Squid Game, saying it was “a personal story” that also reflects “competitive society.”
“This is a story about losers,” he said — those who struggle with the challenges of everyday life and fall behind, while “winners level up.”
Back in South Korea, many shared pride in the Emmy wins. “Lee Jung-jae left another mark (on) the Korean film industry,” one South Korean viewer tweeted. Another called it a “historic moment” for the Korean film industry.
President Yoon Suk Yeol congratulated Hwang and Lee on their awards and said that Lee had improved his skills through dramas and movies.
“Actor Lee Jung-jae’s outstanding performance brought the character and 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).
