The cast and creative team of the Apple TV+ series "Pachinko" on Jan. 15 pose with their trophy after winning Best Foreign Language Series at the 28th Critics Choice Awards in Los Angeles. (Yonhap News) 

By Jung Joo-ri

Apple TV+'s original Korean TV series "Pachinko," which features the turbulent lives of Korean residents of Japan, has won Best Foreign Language Series at the Critics' Choice Awards of the U.S. 

The Critics Choice Association on Jan. 15 gave the drama the honor at its 28th awards ceremony held at the hotel Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles.

The association represents American critics of broadcast and cinematic content and its awards are considered among the most prestigious in the U.S. along with the Golden Globes and Emmys.

Based on the eponymous novel by Korean American author Min Jin Lee, the eight-episode series depicts the lives of four generations of an ethnic Korean family in Japan from the 1910s to the 80s.  

The series beat out the following outstanding candidates for the award: the hit ENA Korean drama "Extraordinary Attorney Woo"; Netflix's "1889," "Borgen" and "Kleo"; HBO Max's "Garcia!"; Mubi's "The Kingdom Exodus"; HBO's "My Brilliant Friend"; and Apple TV+'s "Tehran." 

"Pachinko" is the second Korean-language series to win the Critics' Choice Award for Best Foreign Language Series, with "Squid Game" being the first last year. With director Bong Joon-ho's film "Parasite" winning best foreign film in 2020 and director Lee Isaac Chung's "Minari" earning the same honor in 2021, Korea-related movies and dramas have won honors at this event for four consecutive years. 

Apple TV+'s original Korean TV series "Pachinko," the story of four generations of an ethnic Korean family in Japan, won Best Foreign Language Series at the Critics Choice Awards of the U.S. (Apple TV+)

Commemorating the win, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Park Bo Gyoon sent a message congratulating and encouraging the series' production team. 

In his message, he said, "I applaud the directors who portrayed the history of Korean immigrant society with creativity and superb capacity and the cast for their passionate portrayal of the immigrants' lives and dreams," adding, "'Pachinko' captured the reality of immigrant society through outstanding sensitivity to attract sympathy from around the world."

"I look forward to being impressed by works that keep captivating the hearts of people around the world," he added. "I will support you along with the people of the Republic of Korea." 

etoilejr@korea.kr