Netflix, the worldwide streaming platform, will continue to invest in Korean content and release more creative shows in 2022 in order to reach a global audience, according to Don Kang, Netflix Korea's vice-president of content.

"At this time, we cannot share the exact amount of our investment for this year," Kang stated at a press briefing held at the InterContinental Seoul COEX on January 12 ahead of the 2022 Korea Image Awards presentation.

Netflix won the Korea Image Stepping Stone Bridge award for being a bridge between Korea and the rest of the globe, announcing plans to invest 550 billion won (US$463 million) in Korean content by 2021.

"All of our competitors are investing hard in the Korean market, and we will stay up with them," he added. Kang then moved on to discuss Netflix's other ambitious 2022 goals.

"Thanks to the popularity of programs like Squid Game, My Name, and Hellbound, Netflix had a fantastic year last year," he remarked. "Right now, we're working on a webtoon-based zombie series called All of Us Are Dead, which will be launched later this month."

"On top of that, we'll show some films in which we were involved in the development, as well as other entertainment shows that cross genres and formats."

The Korea Image Stepping Stone award went to Hwang Dong-hyuk, the director of the dystopian drama Squid Game, which was watched by over 142 million homes throughout the world.

Hwang, who was unable to attend the ceremony owing to a scheduling difficulty, expressed his gratitude in a video message to the event organizer, the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI). He also shared his thoughts on his work's achievement.

"I believe that because it is refreshing yet universal, this extremely personal and Korean work has captured the hearts of people all across the world," Hwang said. "I wanted to tell a personal story that reflected both Korean and international views.

"This is why I opted to highlight incredibly simple and adorable Korean games that everybody can understand." I attempted to make them as harsh as possible so that people may relate them to the real world."

"I am planning to create something futuristic... I would like to do a social drama centering on the things that will happen in the next 20 to 30 years," the director said of his future intentions.