Hwang Dong-hyuk explained

Hwang Dong-hyuk
Othername:Hwang Dong-hyeuk
Birth Date:26 May 1971
Birth Place:Seoul, South Korea
Years Active:2000–present
Agent:Creative Artists Agency[1]
Notable Works:Silenced and Squid Game
Module:
Child:yes
Headercolor:transparent
Hangul:황동혁
Hanja:黃東赫
Rr:Hwang Dong-hyeok
Mr:Hwang Tonghyŏk

Hwang Dong-hyuk (; born May 26, 1971) is a South Korean film director, producer and screenwriter. He is best known for directing the 2011 crime drama film Silenced, and for creating the 2021 Netflix survival drama series Squid Game. Time named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2022.[2]

Early life

Hwang Dong-hyuk was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea; he immersed himself in manhwa and manga, spending hours in comic book cafes.[3]

Career

2000-2010: Short films and My Father

See also: My Father. After he graduated from Seoul National University with a B.A. in Communications, he wrote and directed numerous short films including Our Sad Life and A Puff of Smoke. Moving to Los Angeles to study for a M.F.A. in Film Production at the University of Southern California, he continued to make films, completing two shorts Heaven & Hell and Desperation (2000). His graduation thesis film was Miracle Mile (2004), a short starring Karl Yune as a Korean-American illegal taxi driver who helps his fare, a young Korean woman (played by Hana Kim) search for her brother who was adopted by Americans 20 years ago. Miracle Mile screened at over 40 international film festivals and won several awards, including the DGA Student Film Award and Student Emmy Award.[4]

For his feature film debut, Hwang returned to the topic of adoption in My Father (2007). Based on the true story of Korean-American adoptee Aaron Bates, the film is about a U.S. Army soldier stationed in Korea who appears on national television to search for his birth parents, then finds his father on death row for murder. Kim Yeong-cheol played the father opposite lead actor Daniel Henney, whom Hwang decided to cast despite the latter being typecast as a heartthrob. Henney and Kim were praised for their acting, as was Hwang for his non-melodramatic handling of forgiveness and acceptance, intertwined with issues of cultural identity and the death penalty.[5] [6]

2011-2020: Commercial success with The Crucible (Silenced), Miss Granny and The Fortress

See also: Silenced (film), Miss Granny and The Fortress (2017 film). Hwang's second film became one of the biggest stories in Korean cinema in 2011.[7] Based on a novel by Gong Ji-young and starring Gong Yoo and Jung Yu-mi,[8] The Crucible (also known as Silenced) depicts real-life events at the Gwangju Inhwa School for the deaf where young students were cruelly treated and sexually abused by their teachers and administrators.[9] Hwang said he deliberated for about a month whether or not he should make the film, but decided to do it because "It had to be told."[10] Hwang said, "I thought about two things when making this film. First, I wanted to let the world know about this horrific incident. Secondly, I wanted to expose the structural problems of society as revealed during the process of how the case was buried. The issues portrayed in the movie -- sexual violence against children, corrupt ties between police and influential families, negligence of duty by civil servants -- is not fictitious, but can be seen regularly on the daily news."[11] The movie became a box-office hit in Korea, attracting 4.7 million viewers. But more significantly, it provoked widespread public anger and commentary, such that the case was reopened and lawmakers passed the "Dogani Bill" which abolishes the statute of limitations for sex crimes against minors and the disabled. Hwang said, "I took up filmmaking because I was so frustrated by all these unresolved social issues I saw. We can see through films how much we are changed by the world. You can't change society with just one movie, but looking at the repercussion of the release of this film, we can think about the power film has in terms of positively affecting society."

In a significant departure from his previous films, Hwang's third feature Miss Granny (titled Suspicious Girl in Korean) focuses on a 74-year-old woman who regains the appearance of her 20-year-old self (played by Na Moon-hee and Shim Eun-kyung, respectively), in a movie that straddles comedy, family drama, music and romance. Hwang said at the 2014 film's press conference, "With My Father and Silenced, I always seemed to be making social films with dark subject matter, but in reality, I am a fun person. This time I really wanted to make a happy and light film."[12] [13] Strong word of mouth propelled Miss Granny to the top of the box office chart, with more than 8.65 million admissions.

Based on Kim Hoon's novel Namhansanseong (the Korean title for the movie as well), The Fortress stars Lee Byung-hun and Kim Yoon-seok as rival advisors to King Injo at a critical moment during the Second Manchu invasion of Korea. A subtle tour de force in a totally different genre from Hwang's previous movies, it claimed both a popular and critical success with 3.8 million tickets sold in Korea, a distribution to 28 countries, and many awards across Asia.

2021-present: International acclaim with Squid Game

See also: Squid Game. Hwang had conceived of the idea for Squid Game based on his own economic struggles early in life as well as the class disparity found within South Korea. Though initially scripted in 2008, Hwang was unable to find a production studio to find support for the script until around 2019, when Netflix invested in it as part of their drive to expand their foreign programming offerings. Released on September 17, 2021, it became the most-watched series launch in Netflix history.[14] The stress of creating the series caused him to lose six of his teeth.[15] Due to Squid Game success, Netflix brought Hwang's previous films Silenced, Miss Granny, and The Fortress to the service in the United States and other countries.[16] Hwang won an Emmy for Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series in 2022 for directing the Squid Game episode "Red Light, Green Light", making him the first South Korean to win an Emmy in that category.[17] Hwang received the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit from President Yoon Suk-yeol, which is the highest decoration awarded to those who have contributed to culture and arts.[18]

Filmography

YearTitleDirectorProducerWriterNotes
2000Our Sad LifeShort film
2000A Puff of Smoke
2000Heaven & Hell
2000Desperation
2000I Love Ultra LottoShort film, cinematographer, editor
2004Big TimeShort film, production assistant
2004Miracle MileShort film, editor
2005Truck Stop DinerShort film, actor, grip
2007My FatherAdapted screenplay
2011Silenced
2014Miss Granny
2017The Fortress
2020CollectorsAdapted screenplay
2021Squid GameNetflix original series, creator
Killing Old People Club[19]

Awards and nominations

Award ceremony! scope="col"
YearCategoryNominee / WorkResult
Baeksang Arts Awards2018Best DirectorThe Fortress[20]
2022Best DirectorSquid Game[21]
Best Screenplay[22]
Beautiful Artist Award
(Shin Young-kyun Arts and Culture Foundation)		2021Film Artist AwardHwang Dong-hyuk[23]
Blue Dragon Awards2007Best New DirectorMy Father[24]
2011Best DirectorSilenced[25]
Best Screenplay
2014Best DirectorMiss Granny[26]
2017The Fortress[27]
Best Screenplay
Buil Film Awards2018Best Director[28]
Best Screenplay
Chunsa Film Art Awards2018Best Director[29]
Critics Choice Awards
Asian Pacific Cinema & Television		2022Director Award for TVSquid Game[30]
Director's Cut AwardsBest Director in series [31] [32]
Best Screenplay in series
Grand Bell Awards2018Best DirectorThe Fortress[33]
Best Screenplay
Gotham Awards2021Breakthrough Series – Long FormHwang Dong-hyuk [34]
Hollywood Critics Association TV Awards2022Best Directing in a Streaming Series, Drama"Red Light, Green Light" (Squid Game)[35]
Best Writing in a Streaming Series, Drama"One Lucky Day" (Squid Game)
Korea Image Award2022Stepping Stone AwardHwang Dong-hyuk[36]
Korean Association of Film Critics Awards2017Best DirectorThe Fortress[37]
Max Movie Awards2015Best Director Miss Granny[38]
Pony Chung Foundation Innovation Award2022Pony Chung Innovation AwardHwang Dong-hyuk[39]
Primetime Emmy Awards2022Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series"Red Light, Green Light" (Squid Game)[40]
Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series"One Lucky Day" (Squid Game)
Visionary Awards20212021 VisionaryHwang Dong-hyuk[41]
Udine Far East Film Festival2012Audience Award[42]
Black Dragon Audience Award

Listicles

Organization! scope="col"
YearAward
Bloomberg Businessweek202150 People of the Year[43]
The Straits Times (Singapore)The Straits Times Asian of the Year[44]
Time2022The 100 Most Influential People of 2022

State honors

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 황동혁 감독, 美 CAA와 전속계약…'오겜' 김지연 대표도 함께. Jeong Tae-yoon. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk signed an exclusive contract with CAA... Kim Ji-yeon, CEO of 'Ogem. Dispatch. Naver. June 15, 2022. June 15, 2022. ko. June 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220615071126/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=433&aid=0000082747. live.
  2. Hwang Dong-hyuk is on the 2022 TIME 100 List. Time. 23 May 2022. 23 May 2022. english. May 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220523194954/https://time.com/collection/100-most-influential-people-2022/6177760/hwang-dong-hyuk/. live.
  3. News: Cuttle. Jade. October 4, 2021. Squid Game's Jung Ho-yeon: 'The most powerful lesson I learnt was to have faith in humanity'. en. The Times. 2021-12-16. 0140-0460. October 4, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211004094628/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/squid-game-new-netflix-series-hoyeong-jung-hwang-dong-hyuk-interview-korean-thriller-7ttqr2wv5. live.
  4. Web site: Miracle Mile. Independent Lens. 2013-07-22. October 2, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20121002142501/http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/shortstack/miraclemile.html. live.
  5. Web site: Lee . Hyo-won . Father Paints Many Faces of Family Love . . 2013-07-22 . 6 September 2007 . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20141020163730/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2007/09/135_9667.html . 20 October 2014 .
  6. Web site: Yang. Sung-jin. My Father, a heart-wrenching drama. The Korea Herald. 2013-07-22. 6 September 2007. October 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211006015927/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20070906000064. live.
  7. Web site: Kwon. Jungyun. A look back at the year's breakout films. Korea.net. 2013-07-22. 15 December 2011. September 20, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180920045833/http://www.korea.net/NewsFocus/Society/view?articleId=90329. live.
  8. Web site: Choi. Eun-hwa. Gong Yoo and Director Hwang Dong Hyuk on The Crucible. enewsWorld. 2013-07-22. 7 September 2011.
  9. Web site: Lee. Claire. Bestseller-turned-movie reveals real-life case of widespread child abuse. The Korea Herald. 2013-07-22. 22 August 2011. October 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211005193624/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20110822000665. live.
  10. Web site: Lee. Hyo-won. Film examines child abuse case. The Korea Times. 2013-07-22. 24 August 2011. February 1, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140201232058/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2011/08/135_93389.html. live.
  11. Web site: The Crucible Brings Demons of Child Molestation Case Back to Life. The Chosun Ilbo. 2013-07-22. 28 September 2011. January 17, 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180117190754/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/09/28/2011092801311.html. live.
  12. Web site: Song. Soon-jin. Press Conference Held for MISS GRANNY. Korean Film Council. 2014-02-09. 20 December 2013. October 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211003145004/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=2838. live.
  13. Web site: An interview with movie director Hwang Dong-hyuk. The Dong-a Ilbo. 2014-02-25. 10 February 2014. December 22, 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222164016/http://english.donga.com/srv/service.php3?biid=2014021090728. live.
  14. Web site: Frank Pallotta and Liz Kang. Exclusive: Squid Game is Netflix's 'biggest ever' series launch. 2021-10-14. CNN. October 12, 2021 . October 14, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211014183142/https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/12/media/squid-game-netflix-viewership/index.html. live.
  15. Web site: 2021-10-26. Squid Game's creator: 'I'm not that rich. It's not like Netflix paid me a bonus'. 2021-10-26. the Guardian. en. October 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211026052343/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/oct/26/squid-games-creator-rich-netflix-bonus-hwang-dong-hyuk. live.
  16. Web site: Netflix adds a trio of movies from Squid Game director . Emma . Roth . November 3, 2021 . November 4, 2021 . . November 4, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211104003407/https://www.theverge.com/2021/11/3/22761602/netflix-squid-game-director-movies . live .
  17. Web site: All the History-Making Moments That Happened During The 2022 Emmy Awards. Peoplemag. September 13, 2022. September 13, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220913225657/https://people.com/tv/2022-emmy-awards-history-making-moments/. live.
  18. Web site: 오징어게임' 이정재·황동혁 감독, '문화예술 최고' 금관문화훈장 수훈 . Bae Hyo-joo . December 27, 2022 . 'Squid Game' directors Lee Jeong-jae and Hwang Dong-hyuk, awarded the Golden Crown of Cultural Merit for 'The Best in Culture and Arts' . Newsen . . December 27, 2022 . ko . December 27, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221227113516/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=609&aid=0000671122 . live .
  19. Web site: Keslassy . Elsa . 2022-04-04 . 'Squid Game' Director Hwang Dong-hyuk Prepares 'Killing Old People Club' as Next Feature . 2022-04-05 . Variety . en-US . April 11, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220411033929/https://variety.com/2022/film/global/squid-game-hwang-dong-hyuk-killing-old-people-club-1235222839/ . live .
  20. Web site: 2018-05-08 . [54회 백상]심사 채점 결과 공개, 어떻게 뽑았나 ]. 2022-09-16 . mnews.jtbc.co.kr . ko . September 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171037/https://mnews.jtbc.co.kr/News/Article.aspx?news_id=NB11630933 . live .
  21. Web site: '오징어게임' 황동혁 감독, 연출상 수상[백상예술대상-TV]]. 'Squid Game' Director Hwang Dong-hyuk wins Best Director Award [Baeksang Arts Awards-TV]. Maeil Business Newspaper. Naver. May 6, 2022. May 6, 2022. ko. May 6, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220506130223/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/article/009/0004960464. live.
  22. Web site: 58회 백상예술대상 후보 공개…영광의 주인공은?. Ahn Byung-gil. 58th Baeksang Arts Awards nominations revealed... Who is the hero of glory?. Sports Kyunghyang. Naver. April 11, 2022. April 11, 2022. ko. May 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220510185953/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=144&aid=0000805268. live.
  23. Web site: 오징어 게임' 황동혁 감독·배우 정우성, 올해의 '아름다운 예술인' 선정. Yoo Soo-kyung. 'Squid Game' Director Hwang Dong-hyeok and actor Jung Woo-sung selected as 'Beautiful Artist of the Year'. Hankook Ilbo. Naver. November 9, 2021. November 9, 2021. ko. November 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211109202751/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=469&aid=0000639991. live.
  24. Web site: Blue Dragon Film Awards . 2022-09-16 . www.cinemasie.com . September 21, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220921221908/http://www.cinemasie.com/en/fiche/prix/17/?annee=2007 . live .
  25. Web site: Conran . Pierce . 32nd Blue Dragon Film Awards . 2022-09-16 . December 27, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201227110453/http://www.modernkoreancinema.com/2011/11/32nd-blue-dragon-film-awards.html . live .
  26. Web site: 2014-12-17 . 2014 Blue Dragon Awards » Dramabeans Korean drama recaps . 2022-09-16 . Dramabeans . en-US . September 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170702/https://www.dramabeans.com/2014/12/2014-blue-dragon-awards/ . live .
  27. Web site: Yonhap News Agency . 2022-09-16 . . en . January 5, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210105103526/https://en.yna.co.kr/ . live .
  28. Web site: [23회 부산국제영화제] 부일영화상 ]. 2022-09-16 . . ko . September 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163440/http://www.busan.com/view/busan/view.php?code=20180916000206 . live .
  29. Web site: 안 . 태현 . [23rd 춘사영화제 종합]'남한산성' 최우수감독상 수상…최희서 11관왕 달성 ]. 2022-09-16 . entertain.naver.com . ko . September 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920170618/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=112&aid=0003031823 . live .
  30. Web site: 박은빈·박찬욱·황동혁, 美 비평가협회 주관행사서 나란히 수상. Yoon. Ki-baek. Park Eun-bin, Park Chan-wook, and Hwang Dong-hyeok were awarded side by side at an event hosted by the American Critics Association. E-Daily. Naver. October 1, 2022. October 1, 2022. ko. October 1, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20221001063740/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=018&aid=0005331190. live.
  31. Web site: [공식] 제20회 디렉터스컷 어워즈, 24일 개최…'오겜' 'D.P.' '지옥' 노미네이트]. Noh Kyu-min. [Official] The 20th Director's Cut Awards, held on the 24th... 'Ogem' 'D.P.' 'Hell' nomination. Ten Asia. Naver. February 9, 2022. February 9, 2022. ko. February 9, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220209020002/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=312&aid=0000529514. live.
  32. Web site: [제20회디렉터스컷]'오징어 게임' 감독상 포함 3관왕..구교환 영화·시리즈 모두 수상(종합)]. Lee Mi-ji. [The 20th Director's Cut] 'Squid Game', including the Director's Award, won 3 awards.. All the movies and series in Kugwan (comprehensive). Herald POP. Naver. February 24, 2022. February 24, 2022. ko. February 24, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220224125010/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=112&aid=0003534857. live.
  33. Web site: 2012-10-31 . 'Gwanghae' sweeps Korean Oscars . 2022-09-16 . . en . September 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920163602/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2022/09/689_123548.html . live .
  34. Web site: Gotham Awards: 'Squid Game', 'Reservation Dogs' Win Breakthrough TV Awards . Jill . Goldsmith . November 29, 2021 . November 29, 2021 . . November 30, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211130063325/https://deadline.com/2021/11/gotham-awards-2021-winners-list-movies-television-1234881771/ . live .
  35. Web site: Verhoeven . Beatrice . July 7, 2022 . 'This Is Us', 'Succession', 'Severance' Lead 2022 HCA TV Nominations . July 13, 2022 . The Hollywood Reporter . July 7, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220707225346/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2022-hollywood-critics-association-broadcast-cable-tv-nominations-1235176458/ . live .
  36. Web site: 오징어게임' 황동혁 감독, 조수미·김제덕과 '한국 이미지상' 수상. Jang Ah-reum. 'Squid Game' Director Hwang Dong-hyuk wins 'Korea Image Award' with Jo Su-mi and Kim Je-deok. News1. Naver. December 16, 2021. December 16, 2021. ko. December 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211216085049/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=421&aid=0005787600. live.
  37. Web site: 2017-11-09 . '남한산성' 영평상 작품상·설경구-나문희 주연상 (종합) . 2022-09-16 . 스타뉴스 . ko . June 7, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210607155052/https://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2017110918592589031 . live .
  38. Web site: The 10th Max Movie Awards Winners; "The Admiral: Roaring Currents" awarded 2 trophies . 2022-09-16 . . September 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920171610/https://www.hancinema.net/the-10th-max-movie-awards-winners;-the-admiral-roaring-currents-awarded-2-trophies-79064-amp.html . live .
  39. Web site: 포니정재단 혁신상 수상자에 '오징어게임' 황동혁 감독. Seo Mi-sook. Director Hwang Dong-hyeok of 'Squid Game' was awarded the Pony Chung Foundation Innovation Award. Yonhap News Agency. Naver. May 11, 2022. May 11, 2022. ko. May 11, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220511074032/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=001&aid=0013170563. live.
  40. Web site: Emmy nominations 2022: See if your favorite shows made the list . July 12, 2022 . July 13, 2022 . edition.cnn.com . July 12, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220712233441/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/07/12/entertainment/emmy-awards-2022-nominations/index.html . live .
  41. Web site: Kang. Joo-il. December 1, 2021. ko:올해 엔터계 빛낸 주역들 모였다! CJ ENM, ‘2021 비저너리 어워즈’ 개최. The Stars Who Shined in this Year's Entertainment World are Here! CJ ENM, Hosts the '2021 Visionary Awards'. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20211201102934/http://sports.khan.co.kr/entertainment/sk_index.html?art_id=202112011850003&sec_id=540101&pt=nv. December 1, 2021. December 1, 2021. Sports Kyunghyang. ko.
  42. Web site: Udine Far East Film Festival (2012) . 2022-09-16 . IMDb . en . September 20, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220920183357/https://www.imdb.com/event/ev0000237/2012/1/ . live .
  43. Web site: 오징어 게임' 황동혁·'BTS' 방시혁, 블룸버그 '올해의 50인' 선정. Lee Chang-gyu. 'Squid Game' Hwang Dong-hyeok and 'BTS' Bang Si-hyuk selected as Bloomberg's '50 People of the Year. Export news. Naver. December 2, 2021. December 2, 2021. ko. December 2, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211202065418/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=311&aid=0001380484. live.
  44. Web site: Creator of Netflix series Squid Game is The Straits Times Asian of the Year. The Straits Times (Singapore). 6 December 2021. 6 December 2021. english. December 6, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211206070253/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/creator-of-netflix-series-squid-game-is-the-straits-times-asian-of-the-year. live.

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