Hwang Dong-hyuk Returns Home in Glory: "My Mother Who Was Crying... Thank You"

Returning on the 15th, Expressing Gratitude to Mother
Childhood Experiences Reflected in 'Ojingeo Game' Characters
"Hope the Second Season is Loved... Challenging the Emmy Awards Again"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

"I wanted to thank my mother on stage, but I couldn't. After the awards ceremony, I called her, and she was crying. That is the most memorable congratulatory message."

This is the homecoming remark of Director Hwang Dong-hyuk, who won the Emmy Award for Best Director, the highest honor in the American broadcasting industry, for the Netflix series 'Squid Game.' Upon arriving at Incheon International Airport on the 15th, he first expressed gratitude to his mother. "Thank you for raising me and always believing in and supporting me," he said.

Director Hwang lost his father early and spent his childhood with his single mother and grandmother. Those experiences were reflected in the backgrounds and family histories of Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae) and Cho Sang-woo (Park Hae-soo) in 'Squid Game.' He grew up struggling in a semi-basement room in Ssangmun-dong, Dobong-gu, Seoul, was called a prodigy in his neighborhood, and entered the College of Social Sciences at Seoul National University. His grandmother sold vegetables at a market stall. Despite the difficult circumstances, Director Hwang went to study film in the United States at the University of Southern California (USC). This was possible thanks to the help of friends.

His mother had a great influence on his decision to pursue a career in film. She received a camera from an acquaintance and learned filming techniques at a housewife class. She would film videos and proudly show them to her son. Curious, Director Hwang started filming school festivals and other events with a camera. Feeling rewarded by people's positive reactions, he began studying film professionally.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Director Hwang debuted in 2007 with 'My Father.' He then created social impact with 'Silenced (2011),' based on a true story at a school for the hearing impaired, and attracted 8,656,397 viewers with 'Miss Granny (2014).' In 2017, he won the Baeksang Arts Award for Best Film with 'The Fortress,' adapted from a novel by writer Kim Hoon.

His first drama challenge, 'Squid Game,' became a global sensation. It won six Emmy Awards, including Best Director and Best Actor (Lee Jung-jae), marking the first time a non-English drama achieved such honors. He said, "Although we couldn't all win at the end of the (awards) race that started last November, I'm glad we finished with meaningful awards." He sincerely thanked the public who loved and supported 'Squid Game.'

He added, "I hope the second season will be loved as well," and smiled, saying, "If given the chance, I will challenge the stages of the Golden Globes, Emmys, and Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards again."

Meanwhile, Lee Jung-jae, who won the Emmy for Best Actor, attended the Toronto International Film Festival in Canada and is expected to return as early as the 18th. Director Hwang said, "Right after the awards ceremony, Lee Jung-jae and I exchanged good wishes to create an even better work for the second season."