Ali Wong and Steven Yeun Break New Ground at the 2024 Golden Globes

The 2024 Golden Globe Awards heralded a historic moment for the Asian American community as actors Ali Wong and Steven Yeun clinched top honors in their respective categories for their roles in the limited series Beef. This achievement marks the first time Asian American actors have won Best Female Actor and Best Male Actor in a Limited Series at the esteemed award show.

A Night of Emotional Acceptance Speeches

During the ceremony, held on January 7, an emotional Ali Wong graced the stage to accept her award. Amidst her ongoing divorce from Justin Hakuta, whom she acknowledged as her 'best friend', Wong expressed gratitude for his unwavering love and support. Shortly after, Steven Yeun addressed the audience to collect his Golden Globe. He humorously related his feelings of 'isolation' to the plot of the animated film Frozen, eliciting laughter from the crowd.

Behind the Scenes of Beef

In Beef, Wong and Yeun play characters on opposite ends of the social spectrum who become embroiled in an escalating conflict after a road rage incident. The show, featuring dark comedy intertwined with intense drama, presented both stars with a platform to showcase their acting versatility. The role envisioned by showrunner Lee Sung Jin for Wong, which was initially crafted as an older white male character, was reimagined after discussions with Wong, adding depth to the narrative by incorporating her real-life background of Chinese and Vietnamese heritage.

Despite having never shared the screen before, Wong and Yeun's rapport was evident, with Wong recalling to Variety the palpable electricity during their first script read. Dispelling initial trepidations, she praised Yeun for being a supportive co-star, even amidst scenes filled with animosity.

Additional Accolades

Beef wasn't just a platform for groundbreaking acting wins; it also secured the honor of Best Limited Series, Anthology Series, or Motion Picture Made for Television, adding to its successful run at the awards ceremony.

history, awards, representation