19th Dari Awards Ceremony Held in Los Angeles

“Koreans Have the Ability and Sensitivity to Create Content that Opens People's Hearts,” Says Kim Ji-yeon, CEO of Firstman Studio

The 19th Dari Awards ceremony was successfully held on December 10, co-hosted by the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles and the Korean Creative Content Agency LA Center.

The Dari Awards, named after the Korean word for “bridge (다리),” were established in 2005 to honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to the expansion of Korean content into the U.S. The awards aim to recognize efforts that help bridge the cultural gap between Korea and the United States, with honorees receiving commendations from the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the Republic of Korea.

This year’s ceremony featured awards in three categories. The prestigious Person of the Year award went to author Kim Ju-hye for her work Beasts of a Little Land, which won the Yasnaya Polyana Award 2024.

The Best Business Partnership award was presented to the GRAMMY Museum for hosting the first large-scale K-pop exhibition in the United States.

The Business of the Year award was given to Firstman Studio, which achieved international success with the first season of Squid Game and is poised to release its highly anticipated second season. Kim Ji-yeon, Co-CEO of Firstman Studio, expressed her gratitude: "Through Squid Game, we were able to connect with people around the world and feel the power of culture. Like sunlight, content that opens people’s hearts is a true reflection of the power of culture. Koreans have the ability and sensitivity to create such content."

The Dari Awards continues to serve as a vital platform for promoting and celebrating the influence of Korean content across the globe.