The event was as full of witty remarks and delightful conversations as it was glamorous.
The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards took place on the 8th at COEX in Samseong-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. The prestigious Grand Prizes for the movie and broadcasting categories were awarded to Yoo Hae-jin for the film “The Man Living with the King” and Ryu Seung-ryong for the JTBC series “Story of Kim Bu-jang, who works at a large company and owns a home in Seoul,” respectively. The heartfelt acceptance speeches from the winners particularly caught the audience’s attention.
Established in 1965, the Baeksang Arts Awards were created to promote the development of Korean popular culture and arts and to boost the morale of artists. It became a massive celebration as the people who shone in Korean pop culture over the past year gathered together.
The winners, who beat out fierce competition to claim their trophies, could not hide their joy. Here are the most memorable moments from the ceremony.
◆ Director Park Jun-ho: “Mom, I’m on TV!”
Director Park Jun-ho of “3670,” who won the New Director Award, waved his bouquet and joked, “Since my name happens to be Jun-ho, every time Director Bong Joon-ho won an award, my mother would ask, ‘When are you going to make a movie and get on TV?’ Mom, I’m on TV!”
He also shared a sincere and spirited speech, stating, “Our film owes a lot to the challenging gay community,” and added, “I want to share this honor with my North Korean defector friends. I am grateful to the 20,000 audience members, and I will return with my next project.”
◆ Kim Shin-rok: “I didn’t think I would actually cry”
Kim Shin-rok broke down in tears after winning the Acting Award in the play category. “I really didn’t think I would cry,” she said. “It was an honor to be part of the Korean premiere of the meaningful work “Prima Facie,” and I am happy to receive this award because of it.”
She continued, “The character I played, Tessa, was a promising young lawyer who defended sexual violence perpetrators. However, she unexpectedly suffered sexual violence herself and was hurt by the legal system she believed in, yet she survived. Thanks to that, I was able to receive this award. I want to tell Tessa that I am grateful, sorry, and that I love her.”
With a bright smile, she added, “Mom, Lee Kyung-hee, because you gave birth to me, I’m living such a rewarding life. My family said they voted for the popularity award every day. I love and thank you all so much.”
◆ Kim Junsu: “Please divide it by gender next time”
After being called as the winner of the newly established Musical Acting Award for “Beetlejuice,” Kim Junsu said, “I’ve always watched the Baeksang Awards on TV, and I’m so grateful that a musical category was created so I could attend. I came here just wanting to enjoy the moment and be happy to be with so many stars, but it’s truly an honor to actually receive an award.”
He added, “I can feel the weight of this award. I think it means I should strive even harder since I’m this happy. I will work harder.” He also expressed his wish, saying, “I would be grateful if you could divide the acting awards into male and female categories next time.”
◆ Yoo Seung-mok: “This is the first time I’ve even been nominated for an award”
Yoo Seung-mok, who won the Supporting Actor award for “Story of Kim Bu-jang, who works at a large company and owns a home in Seoul,” began his speech by looking at Ryu Seung-ryong, who plays his junior Kim Nak-su, and saying, “Nak-su, what on earth is happening?” He then stated, “Across all award ceremonies, this is the first time I’ve ever been nominated. I am so grateful to receive such a precious award.”
He continued, “Rather than just being a villain, I wanted to show a human side: the friendship built over 20 years of sharing joys and sorrows with Kim Bu-jang, and the pain of having to cast someone aside due to reality.” He received applause as he thanked the production team and staff, adding, “Thank you, Seung-ryong hyung.”
◆ Ryu Seung-ryong: “My cells remembered”
Before being announced as the Grand Prize winner, actor Ryu Seung-ryong watched the “Nanta” performance that ended the first part of the show. He remarked, “I quit (Nanta) 26 years ago, but I felt like I could still do it now,” adding that he felt emotional.
Praising Chef Choi Kang-rok’s performance, he said, “I thought it was an actor performing. When I looked closer, it was Chef Choi Kang-rok. I could tell he practiced a lot.”
After winning the Grand Prize, he recalled, “I remember the days when actor Yoo Hae-jin and I put up theater posters and worked part-time at a factory in Jochiwon. It’s deeply moving that the two of us are receiving Grand Prizes together. Seeing the “Nanta” performance also reminded me of my proud younger self. Nanta and Kim Bu-jang, I’m fine thank you,” he added.
He also corrected the honorifics used by Yoo Seung-mok, who had won an award earlier, asking, “You’re older than me, so why do you keep calling me hyung?” and clarifying, “Seung-mok hyung is actually the older one.” Thanks to the Grand Prize, he was able to set the record straight on their titles.
◆ Lee Su-ji wins again this year… “I’ll keep making you laugh”
Lee Su-ji, who won the Variety Award for the second consecutive year, was unable to speak and shed tears when she was called as a winner after appearing on stage as a presenter. She said, “There were many times when I felt broken, struggled, or felt pressured, but senior (Shin) Dong-yup told me, ‘If you treat people with warmth in your heart, you will ripen beautifully.’ I love all the seniors, colleagues, and juniors who give me such great advice.”
She also shared, “People ask if everything on my YouTube channel “Hot Issue-ji” is ad-libbed, but it’s actually scripted. It’s all thanks to the staff.” She sincerely promised, “I will always strive to bring laughter. I’ll work hard to be funny.”
◆ Jang Hang-jun: “If I buy luxury goods in the future, it’ll be Gucci”
Director Jang Hang-jun of “The Man Living with the King” caused laughter after taking the stage as the Gucci Impact Award winner and promising, “I promise that if I buy luxury goods in the future, I will only buy Gucci.” The impulsive remark led Park Ji-hoon and Yoo Hae-jin, the stars of the film, to burst into laughter.
Director Jang Hang-jun continued, “Korean cinema is going through a difficult time, so I am grateful to those who boldly invested in “The Man Living with the King,” as well as the production company CEOs and the cinematographer who proposed this film to me.” He expressed his gratitude by mentioning the names of the people who helped complete the work one by one.
He also mentioned his father and mother, expressing gratitude by saying, “They always told me it was okay and encouraged me to just play.” He also sent greetings to his mother-in-law and daughter. In particular, he showed affection for his wife, writer Kim Eun-hee, calling her “my most beloved partner.”
◆ Hyun Bin: “My wife Ye-jin, who is sitting in front of me”
Actor Hyun Bin expressed his love for Son Ye-jin after winning the Best Actor award in the broadcasting category for the Disney+ original “Made in Korea.” After calling out Director Woo Min-ho and the staff of “Made in Korea” one by one, he said, “Above all, I want to say I love my wife Ye-jin, who is sitting in front of me, and my beloved son, and thank them for supporting me so well during filming.”
Hyun Bin also promoted the second season of the series, saying, “Our story is not over. We will return with Season 2 this fall. Please give us a lot of support then.”
