Korean actor Lee Byeong-Heon at 2009 KBS Acting Awards [KBS]
Top Korean actor Lee Byeong-Heon won three awards -- including the grand prize -- at the 2009 KBS Acting Awards, held at KBS Open Hall on December 31.
Lee was awarded the top acting prize of the year for his role in blockbuster drama "IRIS" and also won the Best Couple and Netizens' Choice awards.
"I started acting at KBS", said the actor in his acceptance speech. "When I had just debuted at KBS I heard about the acting awards.. I wondered if I would ever be able to go up on that stage. The very next year, I won the Best New Actor award".
He went on to say, "And now I've won Grand Prize on this stage. I'm very touched". He thanked the staff, actress Su-ae who -- believing Lee would win -- sent him a congratulatory text message in advance and his mother....More
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
There were no big surprises at the Drama Awards held by the three major networks ― KBS, SBS and MBC ― last year.
The Grand Prizes each went to
Lee Byeong-Heon for his work in
"IRIS" (KBS),
Jang Seo-hee for "
Temptation of Wife" (SBS) and
Ko Hyeon-jeong for "
Queen Seon-deok" (MBC).
Year-end drama awards have been criticized for being too generous when giving out awards and also not meeting the public's consensus. Last year's events were indeed generous, yet there were no decisions that caused anyone to shake their heads. However, there were distinctive trends that made the three events different from the past.
'30s Reigning the Small Screen
Unlike the pop industry where young idol bands are main stream, the older crowd is on top in the drama scene.
Lee, Jang and Ko are all in their '30s, beating their younger colleagues with their charisma, experience and impeccable acting skills.
Top prizes, including the Best Acting Awards, also went to actors and actresses in their thirties, including
Chae Si-ra ("...
More
For years, top female actresses in Korea took turns playing the historical figures Jang Hi-bin and Hwang Jin-hi in the movies.
Now, you can add Empress Myeongseong to the list.
Stars including
Kang Soo-yeon,
Choi Myeong-gil,
Chae Si-ra,
Lee Mi-yeon and
Moon Geun-yeong have recently played the role of the hwanghu, which means empress in Korean.
The latest: actress
Soo-ae, known throughout the country for her classical beauty.
Soo-ae plays Empress Myeongseong in the recently released film "
The Sword with No Name", which is based on a book by Ya Seol-lok and was directed by
Kim Yong-gyoon.
The movie depicts a desperate romance between the empress and warrior Mu-myeong (
Jo Seung-woo). The empress, a forward-thinking advocate of modernity, wields her political influence to further her ideals. But s...
MoreBy Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Experience is speaking volubly on the small screen these days, as former teen stars and now middle-aged veteran actors have made comebacks.
Local dramas have been favored ― and criticized - for pretty but inexperienced new faces depicting love triangles and romantic stories. However, many female viewers in their late 20s, 30s and 40s have noticed the charms of the realistic world of politics, both office and real life, portrayed by older actors who may not be young and fresh, but have the charisma and experience to lead.
The current most popular Monday-Tuesday period drama "
Queen Seon-deok" (MBC) stars
Ko Hyeon-jeong as the femme fatale Mi-shil of the Shilla Kingdom. The series may be the first period drama of her acting career, but the 38-year-old actor is making headlines.
"I watch the drama because of Ko. The other characters are interesting, but Ko does a great job portraying the mean, yet charismatic Mi-shil", Youn Myung-sook, 51, told The Korea Times.
SBS show
"Style" fea...
More
The May 31 episode of "
The Iron Empress" featured conflict between Hwang Bo-su (
Chae Si-ra) and her son, Prince Gaeryeong (
Lee In), over power succession.
Nearing death due to an illness and having no rightful heir, King Seongjong (
Kim Myeong-soo) decided to hand over the throne to Prince Gaeryeong, who had been deprived of his right to the throne over his mother's attempt to dethrone the king.
Hwang was released from exile and came to see her son. "At last you are to become a king", she said. But Prince Gaeryeong replied, "I don't want to be a king. There is no good reason for me to become a king. Please tell t...
More
