Steven Spielberg needs some potholders for the amount of hot water he’s in right now.
The critically acclaimed director is attracting attention for his comments on Korean actors in the Netflix series Squid Game.
At a Producers Guild of America awards ceremony over the weekend, the 75-year-old applauded the streaming service for giving “unknown actors” the opportunity to direct projects.
“A long time ago, it was home-grown stars that brought audiences to the movies,” said Spielberg. “Today it is interesting that unknown people can play the leading role [in] entire mini-series, can appear in films.”
Squid Game is a 2021 South Korean production that shocked viewers and garnered huge ratings for the streamer.
“‘Squid Game’ comes along and completely changes the math for all of us,” added the West Side Story filmmaker, before turning his attention to Ted Sarandos, Netflix’s co-CEO and chief content officer. “Thanks, Teddy.”
Spielberg has been criticized on social media, with several noting that the show’s stars have been involved in South Korea’s entertainment industry for quite some time.
As Twitter was quick to point out, the show’s lead actor, Lee Jung-jae, has starred in many iconic TV series and films, such as the thriller “The Housemaid,” and Park Hae-soo has made a name for himself in several popular Korean TV dramas such as ” Prison Playbook”.
Americans always think the world doesn’t exist outside of America. They think everyone worships us when in fact they laugh at us.
Actors, singers, politicians, scientists, doctors, lawyers, CEOs are all in other countries.
Stop being so ignorant https://t.co/WiJBBIWqwK
— Marie ⁷ (@7_Miniekookie) March 23, 2022
“Americans always think that the world outside of America doesn’t exist. They think everyone worships us when in fact they laugh at us. Actors, singers, politicians, scientists, doctors, lawyers, CEOs are all in other countries. Stop being so ignorant,” someone tweeted recently.
Other added“Correction: ‘Squid Game’ proves that Hollywood is far behind in recognizing and celebrating long-standing South Korean film/television storytelling and talent.”
“Argggg, more ethnocentrism thanks to Americans not being able to see beyond their own borders. What shows like Squid Game is just the opposite: that people around the world are content with content other than English/White/US entertainment.” wrote one user.
Director Steven Spielberg was blasted on Twitter for his not-so-nice comments about the cast of the Netflix series starring Park Hae-soo and Lee Jung-jae.
Squid Game revolves around more than 400 desperate participants who must compete in a mysterious and deadly survival game to win 45.6 billion South Korean Won or US$38,122,800. YOUNGKYU PARK
Some rang in: “Guys, today’s best recording, presented by Mr. Steven Spielberg and the literal all-star cast of Squid Game.”
A viewer added jokingly, ” “Only unknown because they are not in my country’s media.” Stephen, I know you are busy. But a simple google search for the imdb shows[.com entry] could have easily avoided this faux pas.”