Hwang Dong-hyuk wins Gotham Award as 'Squid Game' celebrates success

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk of the 'Squid Game' series received a special award at the Gotham Awards.

On the 2nd (local time), the '2025 Gotham Awards' were held in New York, USA. At this event, director Hwang Dong-hyuk of the Netflix original series 'Squid Game' received the special award.

The presenter for the special award was actor Lee Jung-jae, who played the protagonist Seong Gi-hun in the 'Squid Game' series. Lee Jung-jae stated, "It is a great honor to introduce a storyteller with the imagination that changed the landscape of global TV." He continued, "That person is the outstanding creator, writer, and director of 'Squid Game,' Hwang Dong-hyuk."

Lee Jung-jae expressed his affection for the work, saying, "On September 17, 2021, when 'Squid Game' was first released on Netflix, this work not only captivated the viewers' eyes, but also touched the hearts of countless people, everyday conversations, and collective imagination, becoming a global phenomenon."

He also remarked, "What stands out the most is the depth of director Hwang Dong-hyuk's vision," adding, "Beneath the thrilling tension and unforgettable visuals, there were themes of strong criticism of inequality, despair, and the resilience of humanity. What director Hwang Dong-hyuk created was not just a drama. It was a mirror reflecting our current society with clear and piercing empathetic eyes. And the world responded with 265.2 million views for Season 1."

In particular, Lee Jung-jae stated, "Director Hwang Dong-hyuk was the first Asian to win the directing award for a drama series at the Primetime Emmy Awards, and 'Squid Game' has proven that Korean-language dramas can resonate with audiences worldwide by winning various prestigious awards, including the Gotham Awards for Best Feature and the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Awards."

He said, "Personally, my experience of working with director Hwang Dong-hyuk on 'Squid Game' for three seasons has brought me a lot of experience and excitement. Every scene and line had depth and led us, the actors, to be collaborators sharing the work." He added, "'Squid Game' continues to captivate viewers and break records. I can’t wait to show you how this global phenomenon will conclude in 'Squid Game' Season 3, which will be released on the 27th."

With Lee Jung-jae's tribute, director Hwang Dong-hyuk took the stage and stated, "The Gotham Awards was the first awards ceremony I attended with 'Squid Game.' In 2021, I won in the 'institutional sector' right here. It was truly amazing. It felt like a miracle. Now, four years later, it seems that miracle continues as I hold this glorious trophy here again."

He continued, "I want to thank everyone who declined 'Squid Game' back in 2009. If even one person had said yes then, there would be no work as we know it today," he joked. "I am grateful to everyone who supported and believed in my vision. And I want to thank the cast and staff who have been with me throughout Seasons 1 to 3."

Additionally, director Hwang Dong-hyuk expressed deep gratitude to Lee Jung-jae, the presenter and the protagonist of the work, saying, "Thank you especially to Lee Jung-jae for acting as Seong Gi-hun, No. 456. Although you couldn't save the other participants, you saved this show."

He also expressed deep gratitude to Kim Ji-yeon, the head of the production company of the 'Squid Game' series. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who worked with Kim Ji-yeon on the film 'The Drug King' ten years ago, said, "I invested everything I had into that film. I personally think I created my best film. However, it was a commercially unsuccessful work. But then I received a call from a film festival wanting to give a special award, saying it was for a film that achieved everything except commercial success. It felt like they were mocking my film, so I got really angry and said I would never go. However, Kim Ji-yeon went in a dress and accepted the award on my behalf, saying our film deserved more recognition." He added, "Without Kim Ji-yeon, the 'Squid Game' series would not have been possible. He was there with me at every moment of this series, pushed me to go further, and throughout our time together, he provided me with a lot of energy and always showed a positive reaction to those around him."

Director Hwang Dong-hyuk also reminisced about his mother in Korea, saying, "Thank you, mother," in Korean, which evoked emotion. Finally, he mentioned the rectangular, rugged 'Gotham Awards' trophy, stating, "This trophy has a very simple design, is heavy, and solid. It is not a glamorous design like an Emmy or Oscar trophy. I’m not saying the 'Gotham Awards' trophy is ugly. It seems to say, 'Don’t be blinded by the glamour of success.' It seems to inform me of the weight of responsibility. I will never forget and will continue to move forward."

'Gotham Awards' is an awards ceremony for independent films held in New York, USA. Among these, the special award is presented to creators who have expanded the horizons of TV series and made significant impacts.

The 'Squid Game' series directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk will release Season 3 on the 27th.

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