14 nominations: this is the small record of Squid Game, the first non-English series presented at the Emmy Awards ceremony. An improbable choice, for a Korean program whose quality is questionable vis-à-vis its competitors.
It was one of the essential hits of the year 2021 on Netflix: the Korean series Squid Game has amazed the whole world by becoming one of the most viewed works on the platform. It can now boast a new record: being the first non-English language program to be nominated in the Best Drama category at the Emmy Awards ceremony.
Squid Game garnered 14 nominations in all, including Best Actor in a Drama Series, Best Direction, Best Original Score, Best Screenplay, and Best Actors and Actresses in a Supporting Role. A rain of recognition, for these prestigious American awards which usually take precedence over the best of the small screen. But given the average quality of Squid Gamewe can legitimately question his presence at one of the most important annual ceremonies.
Other unjustified absences
Squid Game, which has already been renewed for a second season, is far from the worst series of all time. But it seems that this Korean drama’s popularity has outweighed its quality. The scenario is clearly not of great finesse, the realization is certainly colorful but lacks energy, and some members of the cast do not frankly claim to become the next Brad Pitt or Meryl Streep.
These shovel nominations then seem a bit absurd (but Inventing Anna is also present, so hey, we don’t really have faith in humanity anymore). Obviously, it would have been strange to completely obscure this public success which had everything of a new phenomenon when it was released.
And yet, the voters’ academy has deliberately set aside series which, in our humble opinion, would have deserved their place in the nominations. The final season of This is Us, which concludes this family saga in a moving way, is one of the great absentees of the year. We can also mention the excellent Pachinko (another Korean drama that would have deserved its place more), the enormous success across the Atlantic of Yellowstoneor the beautiful poetry of Dickinson. And we’re not even talking about the absence of the breathtaking Sadie Sink, who plays Max in Stranger Things.
There’s better on Netflix alone
Whether Squid Game is a pioneer, being the first non-English-speaking series to claim these awards, we can nevertheless regret that other excellent productions did not have this privilege. Only on Netflix, the fabulous return of Borgena wildly relevant Swedish political series, or the absolutely unforgettable time travel in the Germany of Dark a few years ago might well have aspired to such praise. We can therefore reproach the ceremony that it is SQuid Game who finally wins the bet.
Of course, the series is not yet the big winner of the 74th edition of the Emmy Awards, and so much the better. Magnificent series like the third season of Succession (25 nominations!), Yellowjackets (with the nomination of the wonderful Melanie Lynskey) or Severance can still tip the scales in their favour. End of suspense on September 12, 2022.
