Korean American filmmaker Lee Sung-jin & Steven Yeun wins Emmy for 'Beef'

Beef won 8 awards at the Emmys, proclaiming another moment of glory in its successful season of celebration.

In the 75th annual Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony held in Downtown Los Angeles, California, Beef and its performers were awarded outstanding series, directing, writing, lead actor and actress for the limited or anthology series or movie division. It also collected three additional Creative Arts awards for contemporary costumes, casting, and picture editing.

Korean American director Lee Sung Jin’s comedy-drama stars Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, whose road rage-induced quarrel unexpectedly develops into a dire rivalry. Produced by A24, the 10-episode-long limited series garnered critical acclaim since its release on Netflix last April.

Lee won the outstanding directing category with the episode Figures Of Light. On stage he recalled the financial struggle at the start of his career, claiming he “wasn’t sure of holding something like” the Emmys trophy back then. Lee also championed the outstanding writing category with the episode The Birds Don't Sing, They Screech In Pain.

Beef was also named as the outstanding limited or anthology series. On behalf of the whole crew Lee appreciated the joy of “working with the folks up here who love so unconditionally”, a life-affirming experience while living in “a world designed to keep us separate” and “think that no one can ever understand” each other.

The Korean American actor Yeun won the outstanding actor category. After thanking the team including Lee and Wong, he paid a special tribute to Danny, his character in the show, for teaching him “that judgment and shame is a lonely place but compassion and grace is where we can all meet”. Wong also won the outstanding actress category.

With its success at the Emmys, Beef celebrated the pinnacle of its winning streak of the TV series awards season. The series won three prizes in the 81st Golden Globe Awards, and another four in the 29th Critics Choice Awards.

by Park Sooyong