Korean-language works win Critics Choice Awards for 4 consecutive years

The Korea Times

The Korea Times

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Tue, September 26, 2023 | 07:07

Shows & Dramas

Korean-language works win Critics Choice Awards for 4 consecutive years

Posted : 2023-01-16 16:16

Updated : 2023-01-17 16:05

The cast and staff of "Pachinko" pose with the trophy for the Best Foreign Language Series at the 28th Critics Choice Awards in Los Angeles, California, Sunday (local time). Reuters-Yonhap

'Pachinko' named Best Foreign Language Series

By Lee Gyu-lee

Apple TV+'s original series "Pachinko" has become the Best Foreign Language Series at this year's Critics Choice Awards, making it the fourth time for a film or a series in the Korean language to win a prize at one of the acclaimed U.S. awards.

The series beat eight other nominees, including another Korean-language series "Extraordinary Attorney Woo," at the ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday (local time).

A poster for the series "Pachinko" / Courtesy of Apple TV+

Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Min Jin Lee, the epic saga tells the story of a Korean immigrant family across four generations from the perspective of Sunja (Kim Min-ha), the family's matriarch.

It starts early in the life of Sunja, who is born to a hard-working family in the southeastern port city of Busan during the 1910-45 Japanese occupation of Korea. After being forced to move abroad to Japan, she struggles to protect her family through devastation and tragedy while trying to find a sense of belonging in a foreign land. The later life of Sunja is played by veteran actress Youn Yuh-jung.

A large part of the series was filmed in the Korean language, with Japanese and English also being used.

"Pachinko," which was released last March, has garnered popularity with its well-made cinematography and its heart-wrenching, dynamic story of a family. Following the eight episodes, the production of the second season has been confirmed.

The series was named one of the best TV programs of the year by the American Film Institute (AFI) last month and has been scoring several wins at awards, including the Best Breakthrough Series for a Long Format (over 40 minutes) at last year's Gotham Independent Film Awards.

Founded in 1996, the Critics Choice Awards is presented by the Critics Choice Association to recognize the finest cinematic achievements. The win of "Pachinko" in this year's awards has again shown enhanced attention to Korea-related content or content made by Korean creators in recent years.

Bong Joon-ho and his "Parasite" won Best Director and Best Foreign Language Film in 2020; "Minari" and Alan Kim clinched the Best Foreign Language Film and Best Young Actor awards in 2021; and Netflix series "Squid Game" and Lee Jung-jae notched the Best Foreign Language Series and Best Actor in a Drama Series awards in 2022.

Although failing to win an award, "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" was also nominated for the Best Foreign Language Series category.

The Korean-language films and series that have won awards or been nominated at the Critics Choice Awards were all in different genres, from legal dramas and survival thrillers to the history of the Korean diaspora, showing that various sides of Korea-related content are recognized globally.

Director Park Chan-wook's Cannes-winning film "Decision to Leave" was also nominated for this year's award for Best Foreign Language Film, competing with Germany's "All Quiet on the Western Front," France's "Close" and India's "RRR," but failed to score a win. The trophy went to the Indian action film "RRR."

gyulee@koreatimes.co.kr