The creator of Netflix’s “Beef” used his acceptance speech at the Emmy Awards on Monday night to call attention to a critical issue.
Following his show’s win for best limited series, Lee Sung Jin spoke about his struggles with suicidal ideation. It’s an issue that factors heavily into the backstory of the show’s main character, Danny, played by Steven Yeun.
“A lot of the suicidal ideation in this show was based on stuff that I and some of the folks up here have struggled with over the years,” Jin told the audience. “So I’m really grateful and humbled by everyone who watched the show and reached out about their own personal struggles.”
In the first episode, Danny, a struggling contractor, attempts to return several hibachi grills. It’s later revealed that the grills are part of a plan to commit suicide through carbon monoxide poisoning, which he never carries out. Jin thanked the fans who reached out with their own stories, saying their words were very “life-affirming.”
Though “Beef” has consistently made headlines this awards season for its success, the show’s themes of suicide and mental health have been less discussed. But they point to a larger issue across the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. While the overall AAPI suicide rate is less than half that of the white population, suicide was the leading cause of death for Asian and Pacific Islanders ages 15 to 24 in 2019. And Asian American males in high school were 30 percent more likely to consider attempting suicide compared with white male students.
Asians were also 60 percent less likely to have received mental health treatment compared to their white counterparts.
Jin said those who worked on the show helped him feel accepted.
“I feel like we live in a world designed to kind of keep us separate. Even here, some of us go home with trophies, other people don’t. I think for some of us when we live in a world like this, you begin to think there’s no way anyone can ever understand you or like you or much less no potential at being loved,” Jin said. “So the greatest joy of working on ‘Beef’ has truly been working with the folks up here who loved so unconditionally.”
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. You can also call the network, previously known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, at 800-273-8255, text HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Amanda Smith is a dedicated U.S. correspondent with a passion for uncovering the stories that shape the nation. With a background in political science, she provides in-depth analysis and insightful commentary on domestic affairs, ensuring readers are well-informed about the latest developments across the United States.
