"Squid Game" creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk (right) and lead actor Lee Jung-jae on Sept. 12 at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles pose with their awards at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards. 

By Kim Hayeon

The smash Netflix series "Squid Game" has won Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series at this year's Primetime Emmy Awards, the leading TV honors of the U.S.

Series creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk and lead actor Lee Jung-jae on Sept. 12 accepted their respective Emmys at the awards' 74th edition held at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

"Squid Game" is the first drama not in English to receive the Emmy for best director, and Lee is the first Asian to win the Emmy for best male actor in a drama. 

The series on Sept. 4 became the first drama not in English to earn an Emmy, earning four Creative Arts Emmys for best supporting actress (Lee You-mi), special visual effects, stunt performance and production design. Hwang and Lee's statues raised the "Squid Game" total to six. 

In his acceptance speech, Hwang said, "I would like to thank the TV academy for this honor and also (give) huge thanks to Netflix. People keep telling me that I made history, but I believe, I have to say, we all made history together," adding, "I truly hope that 'Squid Game' won't be the last non-English series to be here at the Emmys, and I also hope this won't be my last Emmy either. I'll be back with Season 2."

The director beat out prominent candidates for the honor like Jason Bateman for "Ozark," Ben Stiller for "Severance," Lorene Scafaria for "Succession" and Carine Kusama for "Yellowjackets."

Lee said "Thank you to director Hwang for making realistic problems we all face come to life so creatively on the screen with the great script and amazing visuals." 

"I want to share this amazing honor with my fans, friends and family in Korea."

The actor's competitors for the award were Jeremy Strong and Brian Cox ("Succession"), Adam Scott ("Severance"), Bateman ("Ozark") and Bob Odenkirk ("Better Call Saul").  

"Squid Game" was also nominated for Outstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series, Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (O Yeong-su and Park Hae-soo) and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (Jung Ho-yeon). 

The Outstanding Drama Series award went to the favored candidate "Succession" of HBO.

hayeounk8@korea.kr