Frank Scherma, chairman of the U.S. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, on Oct. 5 talks to Korea.net in an interview at his Radical Media office in Los Angeles. Radical Media, which he co-founded, is an independent global media and communications company that develops, creates, and produces films, dramas and advertising. (Kim Hayeon)

By Kim Hayeon with contribution from Kang Haeeun

"If you're out to dinner with friends and family, one of the first things you say is 'What are you watching? Did you see this new show?' And 'Squid Game' always came up." 

This is what Frank Scherma, chairman of the U.S. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS), aka the TV Academy, said in a recent video interview with Korea.net. 

"'Squid Game' was great content. It was entertaining. It was produced, edited and directed incredibly well. It was acted well. And I also think it became a bit of a cultural phenomenon that people wanted to see," he said.

On Oct. 5, Scherma gave a video interview to Korea.net at his Radical Media office in Los Angeles. Radical Media is an independent global media and communications company that he co-founded that develops, creates, and produces films, dramas and advertising. 

Wearing a comfortable shirt and jeans, he discussed the Emmy Awards, "Squid Game" and Korean culture for about an hour in front of his computer screen.  

At this year's Emmy Awards ceremony on Sept. 12, Scherma sat next to "Squid Game" creator and director Hwang Dong-hyuk and Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos. "I think the folks, showrunners, and director and actors stepped up and did a terrific job. And we all love the show, so it deserved to win," Scherma said.

U.S. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Chairman Frank Scherma on Sept. 12 gives a speech at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards. (Alyson Aliano/Invision for Television Academy/AP Images)

On this year's Emmy ceremony, the first held offline in three years due to COVID-19, he said, "People felt even more comfortable because of beautiful weather, so we took advantage of that. We were able to have a party, everybody celebrated and were celebrated," adding, "(We were) able to bring people closer together." 

"I could not see ('Squid Game' actor O Yeong-su)," he said. "It is normal to dance during the afterparty."

"We had an amazing band playing and a big dance floor going, so there were a lot of people dancing. There was food, liquor, dancing, desserts and lots of conversations."

"People celebrate because (an Emmy) is not easy to get. It's hard to get."

"A group of people thoroughly vote for winners," he said, adding that "directors vote for directors and actors for actors." 

On directors gaining the right to vote, Scherma said they "have to have a certain number of shows they've directed with their name on it put in there. Then they have to be approved. Then they're admitted into the academy."

"The director who won the Emmy, he can automatically join because he won the Emmy."

Established in 1946, ATAS is the organizer of the Emmys and has about 17,000 registered members in the broadcast industry.

"Nobody knows who the winner is till that night. I had no idea. None of the staff had any idea," Scherma said.

"So nobody on the board knew that 'Squid Game' was gonna win until it was announced that night. It was a surprise to everybody," he added. "All the winners were surprises."

U.S. Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (ATAS) Chairman Frank Scherma on Oct. 5 holds a video interview with Korea.net at his Radical Media office in Los Angeles. (Ani Akpan, ATAS)

On why Korean content is popular despite no consideration of international audiences during production, Scherma said, "I think good storytelling is relatable. If you tell a good story and it's relatable, it doesn't matter what language it's in." 

"If you tell a story that people will relate to or make them laugh or cry, you're gonna get an audience."

He said creators must be allowed to focus on their main tasks and that their content's popularity will be lost the moment they are controlled.

"People say I can watch that for 15 minutes and see if I like it. And if it's good, they'll stay on. If it's not, they won't," he added. "So it's not about people having to go to it because you're delivering it to them at home. Just keep delivering good stuff."

Schema also said creative personnel must be allowed to work without losing their pride to allow hits like "Squid Game" to keep coming.  

"I think that television can help (resolve) cultural problems. I think that the more people see people from Asia like Korea and Japan or those from different parts of the world, the more they realize 'Oh, they're like me,'" he added. "As people, we're not different. Culturally we're different."

Starting his showbiz career 35 years ago as an assistant producer at an advertising agency, Scherma has created many hit series such as "Under African Skies" in 2012, "Fear the Walking Dead: Passage" in 2016 and "Summer of Soul" this year. He has also received major awards for entertainment including the Cannes Palme d'Or, Golden Globe, Emmy and Grammy. 

He is now producing a program with famed Korean guitarist Kim Se-hwang.

hayeounk8@korea.kr