Surprise Golden Globe Nomination for Squid Game Sparks Confusion Among Fans
The 82nd Golden Globe Awards nominations, announced on December 9, included a surprising entry—Squid Game. The Netflix series received a nod for Best Television Series – Drama, competing against The Day of the Jackal, The Diplomat, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Slow Horses, and the favorite, Shōgun. However, the nomination caught many off guard as the second season of Squid Game had not yet been released to the public at the time.
Fans took to social media expressing confusion, with comments such as, “How can Squid Game be nominated? Really?” and “Hasn’t it been like two years since Squid Game premiered?” The second season of the hit South Korean thriller was released on December 26, more than two weeks after the nomination announcement, but it has already received positive reviews, mirroring the success of its groundbreaking first season.
While it may seem unusual, it is not uncommon for shows and films to receive nominations before their official release. Critics groups and voting bodies, such as those for the Golden Globes, often get access to early screeners. These early releases are carefully managed by production companies like Netflix, which use methods like watermarks and lock codes to maintain privacy before the content becomes widely available.
This practice of pre-release nominations is also seen in films. For instance, 1917, which premiered on December 4, 2019, just days before the Golden Globe nominations were announced, earned three nominations and went on to win two awards, including Best Motion Picture – Drama. Similarly, the Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown was nominated before its December 10 premiere and wide release on December 25.
Despite the controversy surrounding its nomination, Squid Game season two’s recognition highlights a trend where productions receive significant attention even before reaching the public, helping to build momentum for awards season.
