Here’s Why ‘Squid Game’ Star Lee Jung Jae Will Not Attend the 2022 Golden Globes
Lee Jung Jae's agency, Artist Company, announced that the "Squid Game" star would not attend the much-awaited 2022 Golden Globes.
To recall, the renowned actor was nominated as Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama together with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Billy Porter for "Pose," Brian Cox and Jeremy Strong for "Succession" and Omar Sy for "Lupin."
Apart from it, the record-breaking Kdrama directed by Hwang Dong Hyuk also earned a nod for Best Television Series Drama while veteran actor Oh Young Soo, who played player 001 Oh Il Nam, is nominated as Best Supporting Actor.
Lee Jung Jae to Skip 2022 Golden Globes Ceremony
Despite the nomination, the award-winning actor confirmed through his agency that he would not appear at the annual ceremony.
In a statement, Artist Company mentioned that despite the actor being extremely grateful for the recognition, he would not participate in the upcoming 2022 Golden Globes due to the resurging health crisis.
READ MORE: 'Squid Game,' 'Vincenzo,' 'Uncanny Counter' and More Kdramas Listed in Top Netflix Shows in 2021
Moreover, it seems that the actor also showed his support to the streaming giant after Netflix expressed that the company would no longer participate in the Golden Globes.
"He is immensely grateful to have been nominated in the Best Actor category at the Golden Globes, but he has decided not to attend the ceremony. He recognizes that Netflix is not participating in the Golden Globes, as has been widely reported around the world. He also made the decision considering other factors like the COVID-19 situation and the quarantine requirements," the statement reads.
Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced on December 13 the list of nominees for the 79th Golden Globes would be held on January 9, 2022.
Is Hollywood Boycotting 2022 Golden Globes?
Unfortunately, the prestigious award-giving body was under fire after being accused of lacking diversity and corruption allegations.
For instance, the 2020 movie "Minari" took home the Best Foreign Language Film category when clearly it was directed and written by Lee Isaac Chung, who is a Korean-American and produced under an American production company.
However, the Golden Globes explained that it entered the said category because the majority of the film was non-English.
Due to some discrepancies, some Hollywood stars and established companies like Netflix, Warner Media and Amazon have decided to boycott the upcoming awards night.
The Golden Globes' long-time broadcaster, NBC, joins the boycott after it dropped its commitments to air the show.
Will Lee Jung Jae Skip the 27th Critics Choice Awards?
Apart from the 2022 Golden Globes, Lee Jung Jae and "Squid Game" earned three nods at the 27th Critics Choice Awards.
The blockbuster Netflix series was nominated for Best Actor for a Drama Series, Best Drama Series and Foreign Language Series.
However, it is undecided if the South Korean star and the rest of the team will attend the upcoming ceremony on January 9, the same date as the Golden Globes.
