Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’ Takes Home Special Award at American Film Institute + Becomes the Only Foreign TV Show to Win the Title
Another title has been added to a slew of achievements that Netflix's "Squid Game" bagged in 2021.
Before the year ended, the South Korean series became one of the 20 awardees at the American Film Institute.
The organization recognizes the contribution of motion picture arts in tv and films that are "deemed culturally and artistically representative of this year's most significant achievements."
In addition, AFI president Bob Gazzale shared that they are honoring the "most outstanding screen stories of 2021 and those who worked collaboratively to bring them to screens large and small," he said, varying from "dark and dangerous" to "heartbreaking" and "hilarious" stories.
For this year, the jury includes "Minari" director Lee Isaac Chung, film historians Annette Insdorf, Akira Mizuta Lippit, L.S. Kim, and more, together with tv and movie critics from outlets such as the Los Angeles Times, Rolling Stone, TV Guide, National Public Radio, and The Washington Post.
American Film Institute Names Netflix's 'Squid Game' as the Honorary + Becomes Only Foreign TV Show to Win a Special Award
The survival-themed series, which stars Lee Jung Jae, Park Hae Soo, Wi Ha Joon and rookie actress turned breakout star Jung Ho Yeon, scored a special award given by the American Film Institute.
The latest achievement comes after its record-breaking contribution to the small screen, making it Netflix's biggest show ever.
Interestingly, "Squid Game" is the only foreign TV program to receive the said award alongside the comedy-drama "Belfast" and "Summer of Soul (...Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised)."
The South Korean thriller mystery series is dominating the international scene after taking home awards at several prestigious ceremonies.
From People's Choice Awards 2021 to 31st Gotham Awards
"Squid Game" won its first-ever international awards in November after securing the Breakthrough Series - Long Format trophy at the Gotham Awards 2021.
READ MORE: Netflix's 'Squid Game' Ranks First as Google's Most Searched TV Show for 2021
The nine-part episode series defeated "The Good Lord Bird," "It's a Sin," "Small Axe," "The Underground Railroad," and "The White Lotus" after winning the category.
After scoring their first international award, the Hwang Dong Hyuk directed Kdrama earned multiple nods at the Critics Choice Awards 2021.
The Netflix series was nominated for Best Drama Series, Best Foreign Language Series and Best Actor for Lee Jung Jae, who took on the role of debt-ridden Seong Gi Hoon.
The award-winning actor impressed viewers globally with his epic portrayal of a son and a father who is about to lose his family because of his wrong decisions in life.
He was forced to join the contest to support his mother and take back his daughter.
With the continued "Squid Game" mania, the Kdrama succeeded at the 2021 People's Choice Awards and won Bingeworthy Show.
They managed to surpass their fellow contenders "Cobra Kai," "Loki," "Sex/Life," "Ted Lasso," "Outer Banks," "The White Lotus," and the crime drama "Mare of Easttown."
