‘Squid Game’ Star Lee Jung-jae Showered With Fresh Awards – Global Bulletin

LEE’S LEGACY LAUDED

Lee Jung-jae, star of hit series “Squid Game,” and the show’s director Hwang Dong-hyuk were awarded the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, South Korea’s highest cultural medal at a ceremony last week held at the office of Korean president Yoon Suk-yeol. Hwang was honored for his career efforts that included “Miss Granny” and “Silenced.” Lee was noted for being the first Asian the US critics’ Choice Award for best actor, the first Asian to win an Emmy for best actor in a drama series and for his SAG Award.

In a separate Korean honors list Lee, director Park Chan-wook, “Extraordinary Attorney Woo” star Park Eun-bin and star Don Lee (aka Ma Dong-seok) were named on a list of 10 cultural icons who received 2023 Visionary Awards from CJ ENM. In addition to his “Squid Game” success, Lee last year also made his feature directing debut “Hunt.” The film made its debut in Cannes and turned out to be a surprise box office hit.

HAINAN HONORS

Prizes were awarded on Christmas Day to the winning titles at China’s Hainan Island International Film Festival. “Trenque Lauquen” by Argentina’s Laura Citarella was named the best film of the competition section. Alice Diop was named best director for her “Saint-Omer.” Charlotte Wells’ “Aftersun” received a special jury prize. “We, Students” directed by Rafiki Fariala was named best film in the parallel documentary competition. “Dry Ground Burning,” co-directed by Joana Pimenta and Adirley Queiros of Brazil, earned a special mention.

HONG KONG HIRINGS

The Hong Kong Disneyland theme park has begun 2023 by announcing plans to hire an additional 600 staff. The move is being made in anticipation of an increasing in visitor numbers, especially from mainland China, following the almost complete removal of COVID restrictions in both jurisdictions. The park, which is 52% owned by the Hong Kong government, has rarely made a profit. Visitor numbers dived in 2019 when Hong Kong was hit by political protests. In 2020 the pandemic caused borders to be largely shut, killed off international tourism and meant that the park had to rely largely on local visitors. The border between Hong Kong and mainland China is expected to reopen by this weekend – significantly, ahead of the all-important Lunar New Year holidays – but is likely to be subject to a daily quota.

The current year will see the opening of two new attractions within the Hong Kong theme park: The World of Frozen, based on the animated hit movie “Frozen,” and a roller coaster and scenic ride called Wandering Oaken’s Sliding Sleighs.

DULY NOTED

NASDAQ-listed Chinese video streamer iQiyi has completed a $500 million fund-raising exercise, first announced in August last year. The company issued interest-bearing commercial notes that are convertible into shares to PAG an investment firm with $50 billion of assets under management. PAG’s Shan Weijian also obtains a seat on iQiyi’s board of directors. iQiyi claims 100 million paying subscribers and in the nine months to September last year enjoyed revenues of $3 billion.

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