Korean-American Director and Actor Collaborate on 'Seongnan Saramdeul' Winning 8 Emmy Awards (Comprehensive)

Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor and Actress, Best Costume Design, etc.
Lee Seong-jin "Thankful to Those Who Loved Me Unconditionally"
Steven Yeun "Compassion and Grace Unite Us as One"

The Netflix drama "Seongnan Saramdeul" (Angry People), created through the collaboration of a Korean-American director and actors, won eight awards at the Primetime Emmy Awards, the most prestigious honor in the American television industry, including Outstanding Limited Series and Lead Actor and Actress awards.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

"Seongnan Saramdeul" was announced as the winner of Outstanding Limited Series at the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony held on the 15th (local time) at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles (LA), USA. Additionally, director Lee Sung-jin won both the directing and writing awards, and actor Steven Yeun took home the Outstanding Lead Actor award. Chinese-Vietnamese actress Ali Wong also received the Outstanding Lead Actress award. Beyond these, "Seongnan Saramdeul" collected eight trophies including casting, costume, and editing awards. Out of the eleven categories it was nominated for, it swept all but the supporting actor and actress and music awards.

The driving force behind the success is the experience of director Lee, who has lived as a Korean-American. Having written and directed the script, he said at the "International Broadcasting and Video Market (BCWW) 2023" organized by the Korea Creative Content Agency last year, "'Seongnan Saramdeul' is a work that could not have existed 5 to 10 years ago," adding, "In the past, I worried about how to write something Americans would like, but now that is no longer necessary." Director Lee attended a Korean church in the U.S. during his childhood, just like the character Danny in the drama.

After winning the Outstanding Limited Series award, he said, "The suicidal impulses of the characters early in the work actually reflect emotions I experienced," and expressed gratitude to those who shared their difficult experiences after watching the show. "It felt like a confirmation that I was not wrong," he said. "Sometimes it feels like the world tries to divide people. Even at this awards ceremony, some take home trophies while others do not," he added. "Living in such a world, there are moments when you feel no one understands you, no one likes you, and you have no chance of being loved." He then expressed thanks, saying, "The best thing about producing 'Seongnan Saramdeul' was the people who loved me unconditionally."

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Steven Yeun, who won the Outstanding Lead Actor award beating strong contenders like Taron Egerton from "Black Bird," Evan Peters from "Dahmer," and Daniel Radcliffe from "Weird," shared his feelings about playing Danny in the drama. "Honestly, there were days when living as Danny was hard. There were days I wanted to judge and mock him," he said, adding, "One day, photographer Andrew Cooper told me, 'Don't give up on Danny so easily.'" He continued, "I want to thank Danny. Prejudice and shame are very lonely, but compassion and grace bring us together."

The source of his vivid expressions also comes from his own experiences. Born in Seoul in 1983, Steven Yeun moved to the United States with his family at the age of five. He majored in psychology in college but developed an interest in acting and began his career as an actor. After working as an unknown actor, he rose to stardom in 2010 by playing Glenn in the drama "The Walking Dead." The loneliness and isolation he felt as an immigrant for a long time became the nourishment for his acting. He said, "At first, it was sad when I was rejected here and there and left alone, but once I got over that, I gained strength."

Steven Yeun showcased his inherent talent in films directed by Bong Joon-ho such as "Okja" (2017) and Lee Chang-dong's "Burning" (2018). In director Lee Isaac Chung's "Minari" (2021), he sublimated his identity as a Korean-American into a tenacious vitality that overcomes adversity. Thanks to this, he experienced the joy of becoming the first Asian actor to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor. Although he did not win, he received high praise for knowing how to blend his identity into his work without emphasizing it. In "Seongnan Saramdeul," he was also praised for realistically portraying Danny's pathetic side, who lives with frustration as things rarely go his way.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

"Seongnan Saramdeul" is a black comedy drama depicting the events that unfold when Danny (Steven Yeun), a poor man with no visible future, and Amy (Ali Wong), a wealthy woman estranged from her husband and living a depressing daily life, get into a dispute while driving. Released on Netflix in April last year, it ranked in the top 10 in viewing hours for five consecutive weeks and achieved global success. It was also praised for compellingly portraying the uncontrollable anger of modern people. Thanks to this, it swept various awards including the Emmys. At the Golden Globe Awards, it won three awards including Outstanding Limited Series and Lead Actor and Actress, and at the Critics' Choice Awards, it won four awards including Outstanding Limited Series, Lead Actor and Actress, and Supporting Actress (Maria Bello).

The Primetime Emmy Awards are the most prestigious awards ceremony in the American television industry, often called the "Academy Awards of TV." At the 74th ceremony held in September 2022, "Squid Game" won the directing award (Hwang Dong-hyuk) and Outstanding Lead Actor (Lee Jung-jae).

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.