'Squid Game' Aims for Four Categories at the US Screen Actors Guild Awards

First Non-English Drama to Join Nominees Including Ensemble Award

[Image source=Yonhap News]

'Squid Game' has been nominated in four categories at the Screen Actors Guild Awards. The nominations include the TV Drama Series Ensemble Award (Heo Seong-tae, Jeon Young-soo, Jung Ho-yeon, Kim Joo-ryeong, Lee Byung-hun, Lee Jung-jae, Oh Young-soo, Park Hae-soo, Wi Ha-joon, Anupam), Outstanding Male Actor (Lee Jung-jae), Outstanding Female Actor (Jung Ho-yeon), and Stunt Ensemble Award.

The Screen Actors Guild (SAG) announced the list of nominees for the 28th annual awards ceremony on the 12th (local time). The Ensemble Award is a grand prize given to all cast members who delivered outstanding performances in a drama. 'Squid Game' competes against 'The Handmaid's Tale,' 'The Morning Show,' 'Succession,' and 'Yellowstone.' Lee Jung-jae is up against Jeremy Strong, Kieran Culkin, and Brian Cox from 'Succession,' as well as Billy Crudup from 'The Morning Show' for the Outstanding Male Actor award. Jung Ho-yeon joins Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon from 'The Morning Show,' Elisabeth Moss from 'The Handmaid's Tale,' and Sarah Snook from 'Succession' as nominees for Outstanding Female Actor. 'Squid Game' is also nominated for the Stunt Ensemble Award, competing with 'Cobra Kai,' 'The Falcon and the Winter Soldier,' 'Loki,' and 'Mare of Easttown.' The winners will be announced at the awards ceremony held on the 27th of next month at the Barker Hangar Event Hall in Santa Monica, USA.

This is the first time a Korean, as well as a non-English language drama, has been nominated for the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Even when expanding the scope to films, works featuring a majority of Asian actors nominated include 'Slumdog Millionaire,' 'Parasite,' and 'Minari.' The cast of 'Parasite' received the Ensemble Award in 2020, marking the first time a non-English language film won this award. Youn Yuh-jung from 'Minari' won the Outstanding Supporting Actress award in the film category last year, becoming the first Korean actor to do so. This award is significant as it reflects recognition of acting skills by fellow American actor members. Hwang Dong-hyuk, the director of 'Squid Game,' told the American pop culture media Variety, "This is the happiest moment as a director," and expressed sincere gratitude for the dedication and effort of all the cast members.