‘"Squid Game"’ director Hwang Dong-hyuk has been invited to the Masterclass at the 19th Asian Film Awards.
Set for Sunday, March 15, in Hong Kong, the 19th Asian Film Awards unveiled its Masterclass lineup.
The event will host Hwang Dong-hyuk of the global-sensation Netflix series ""Squid Game"," acclaimed auteur Jia Zhangke―who has triumphed at all three of the world’s major film festivals―and actor Zhang Ziyi, whose presence has resonated far beyond Asia. Together, they’ll lead special masterclasses for film fans.
This Masterclass series spotlights three creators at the top of their fields―series creation, auteur-driven filmmaking, and acting. Each will personally walk audiences through their own body of work.
In "Squid Game", Hwang Dong-hyuk reimagined childhood games as chilling survival trials. Beyond its hook, the series turned themes of class and despair into a visually bold, instantly readable narrative that sparked a worldwide reaction. Its simple yet ruthless rules, daring color palette, and spatial design ratcheted up the tension and left a lasting impact.
Before "Squid Game", Hwang built a wide-ranging filmography from the social drama "Silenced" to the comedy "Miss Granny." His session will trace that creative journey and examine how years of experience and relentless questioning shaped stories that connect across cultures and languages.
Jia Zhangke is a leading figure of China’s Sixth Generation cinema. Known for restrained realism, he has quietly but precisely captured life in a changing China over decades. From "Xiao Wu" to "Platform" to "Still Life," his films expand everyday stories into universal narratives that resonate with audiences worldwide.
A regular invitee to Venice, Cannes, and Berlin, Jia will share his creative philosophy―how close observation evolves into storytelling, and how restrained direction builds emotion on screen.
Zhang Ziyi, one of China’s defining actors, has showcased range and presence from "The Road Home" to "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and other global projects. Over more than 20 years, she has refused to be boxed into a single image, establishing herself as an actor judged purely by her craft.
Even across different languages and production systems, Zhang Ziyi has always centered the character. Her masterclass will revisit key works and explore how she prepares for complex roles, faces public attention, and maintains high artistic standards over time. It will offer insight not only into acting, but also into building sustained presence on the international film stage.
Spanning directing and acting, and bridging film and series creation, this Masterclass lineup promises a panoramic look at contemporary cinema’s momentum and expansion through three distinct perspectives. Their different experiences, languages, and creative methods will help audiences see the art of film in richer dimension.
The 19th Asian Film Awards will take place on Sunday, March 15, at the Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)