Korean culture, or K-culture, continued to take the world by storm in 2022.

The Netflix mega-hit series "Squid Game" made history at the 74th Emmy Awards in September, collecting a total of six statuettes, including in the categories of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series.

Earlier in February, the series’ stars, Lee Jung-jae and Jung Ho-yeon, each won a Screen Actors Guild(SAG) award for their performances in the show. It marked the first time South Korean actors took home the SAG trophy for lead roles in a drama series, and was also the first time for actors from a non-English language TV show to win a SAG award.

The feat came a month after O Yeong-su won the Golden Globe for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role on TV for his role in “Squid Game,” becoming the first South Korean actor ever to win an acting trophy at the Golden Globes.

At the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival in May, Park Chan-wook was named Best Director for his romantic thriller "Decision to Leave," while Song Kang-ho received the honor of Best Actor for his role as an adoption broker in "Broker.”

In the K-pop scene, BTS, Stray Kids and Blackpink topped the Billboard 200 chart, while BTS members Jin, RM, J-hope, Jungkook, Suga and V all saw their solo tracks enter the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Many South Korean musicians were also recognized this year in the classical music world.

Pianist Lim Yun-chan won the gold medal in the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition in June, becoming the youngest gold medal winner in the 60-year history of the prestigious competition.

Cellist Choi Ha-young won Belgium's Queen Elisabeth Competition, one of the world's three most prestigious classical music contests while Yang In-mo became the first South Korean violinist to win the International Jean Sibelius Violin Competition.

Photo : CJ ENM, YONHAP News

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