Actor Lee Soon-jae became the main character of the ‘2024 KBS Acting Awards’. He has become the oldest recipient of the grand prize.
‘Barking’ Lee Soon-jae embraced the grand prize trophy at the ‘2024 KBS Acting Awards’ broadcast on the 11th.
The ‘2024 KBS Acting Awards’, hosted by broadcaster Jang Seong-kyu and actors Seo Hyun and Moon Sang-min, was originally scheduled to be broadcast live on December 31 of last year, but was canceled due to the aftermath of the Jeju Air passenger plane disaster. The awards ceremony was recorded at that time.
Nominees for the grand prize included Lee Soon-jae from the drama ‘Barking’, Ji Hyun-woo and Lim Soo-hyang from ‘Beauty and the Beast’, Kim Jung-hyun and Park Ji-young from ‘Iron Family’, and Kim Ha-neul from ‘Let’s Grab the Collar’. Ultimately, the honor of the grand prize went to Lee Soon-jae.
Upon taking the stage, Lee Soon-jae said, “Living long brings days like this,” and added, “I remember that KBS started broadcasting on December 31, 1961. I made my first appearance in ‘I Want to Be Human’. I had a small role with my seniors. Then I continued to work at KBS, signed an exclusive contract with TBC, and after the media consolidation in the 1980s, I continued my connection. There aren’t many opportunities to appear. It’s natural not to appear if there aren’t suitable roles. I prepared for the day when the opportunity would come. Today, I received this beautiful and precious award.”
He continued, “In the past, when receiving the grand prize, it was often given to historical figures like General Lee Soon-shin. It can be given. In America, actress Katharine Hepburn received it once in her 30s and three times after turning 60. Even at 60, if you do well, it’s not just a lifetime achievement award. It should be evaluated based on acting. It shouldn’t be evaluated based on popularity or other conditions,” and added, “This award is not just for me; in ‘Barking’, Sophie and many dogs played their parts. Everyone did their best in their respective roles.”
He also mentioned, “It takes four and a half hours by car to get to Geoje. We filmed while going back and forth 20 times,” and expressed gratitude, saying, “I have students to thank. I am still a distinguished professor at Gachon University thanks to the consideration of the president. I guide each student specifically. We select a work and practice for a semester to present it. Filming takes six months, so I couldn’t go back and forth. I told the students I was sorry, and they said they would do their best to create something good, as I taught them, since it’s a rare opportunity to act in a drama. I was moved to tears. I trusted those students, and the results came today. I am grateful.”
Lee Soon-jae added, “At the beginning, it was precarious. I had many worries and overcame difficulties, and today ‘Barking’ is heard nationwide through KBS,” expressing his gratitude. The actors in the audience also stood up and gave him a heartfelt round of applause.
On this day, Lee Soon-jae also enjoyed the joy of winning the Best Couple Award with Yeon-woo and Ari for ‘Barking’.
Meanwhile, Kim Jung-hyun from ‘Iron Family’ said after receiving the Excellence Award, “Thank you. I know how lacking and insufficient I am, and I am grateful to be standing here. Until a few years ago, I thought I would never act again. There were various reasons, and I thought I couldn’t do it, but I am grateful to be able to stand in a place like this.”
He continued, “It is natural to express gratitude, but true gratitude cannot be achieved without reflecting on the past. Since I started acting, I have hurt many people and caused frowns with very bad behavior and actions that should not have been done. I sincerely apologize here,” and added, “I don’t think it ends with an apology, nor do I seek forgiveness. I believe it is a necessary process to continue my life.”
Previously, Kim Jung-hyun and Seo Hyun worked together in the 2018 MBC drama ‘Time’. At that time, during the production presentation of ‘Time’, Kim Jung-hyun showed a lack of sincerity by refusing to link arms with Seo Hyun for a photo shoot, which led to controversy over his attitude, and he left the drama due to health issues. Later, Kim Jung-hyun conveyed his position through a handwritten apology, saying, “I regret it so much that I want to turn back,” and “I sincerely apologize without any excuses.”
Shin Hyun-joon from ‘Iron Family’ received the Excellence Award and said, “When we were filming ‘Iron Family’, my beloved mother Kim Soo-mi passed away. It was very difficult, but many people comforted me. Time has passed since my mother left, but I feel that many people miss and love her. I hope my mother is not lonely in heaven and that she always smiles as we miss her smile,” paying tribute to the late Kim Soo-mi, who passed away last year.
KBS filled the home theater starting with the Monday-Tuesday drama ‘Fantasy Romance’, which first aired on January 2, 2024, to the Wednesday-Thursday drama ‘Suspicious Her’, which first aired on December 18.
Next are the winners of the 2024 KBS Acting Awards
▲ Grand Prize = Lee Soon-jae (Barking)
▲ Excellence Award = Kim Jung-hyun (Iron Family), Ji Hyun-woo (Beauty and the Beast), Park Ji-young (Iron Family), Lim Soo-hyang (Beauty and the Beast)
▲ Excellence Award (Miniseries) = Park Ji-hoon (Fantasy Romance), Yeon-woo (Barking), Han Ji-hyun (Face Me)
▲ Excellence Award (Long Drama) = Shin Hyun-joon (Iron Family), Geum Sae-rok (Iron Family)
▲ Best Couple Award = Ji Hyun-woo Lim Soo-hyang (Beauty and the Beast), Kim Jung-hyun Geum Sae-rok (Iron Family), Baek Seong-hyun Ham Eun-jung (Our Suji), Shin Hyun-joon Park Ji-young Kim Hye-eun (Iron Family), Yeon-woo Ari Lee Soon-jae (Barking)
▲ Popularity Award = Kim Myung-soo (Treat Me Roughly), Geum Sae-rok (Iron Family)
▲ Excellence Award (Daily Drama) = Baek Seong-hyun (Our Suji), Oh Chang-seok (Without Blood or Tears), Ham Eun-jung (Our Suji), Park Ha-na (Let’s Get Married, Maenggong)
▲ Supporting Actor Award = Kim Yong-geon (Barking), Choi Tae-joon (Iron Family), Yoon Yoo-sun (Beauty and the Beast)
▲ Writer Award = Seo Suk-hyang (Iron Family)
▲ Drama Special Award = Nam Da-reum (The Officer Discusses), Oh Ye-ju (My Soles Are Hot)
▲ Rookie Award = Seo Beom-jun (Let’s Grab the Collar), Park Sang-nam (Let’s Get Married, Maenggong), Hong Ye-ji (Fantasy Romance), Han Soo-a (Beauty and the Beast)
▲ Youth Acting Award = Moon Seong-hyun (Beauty and the Beast), Lee Seol-ah (Beauty and the Beast)
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
