Kim Yong-hwa (김용화)

Korean movie "Thirst" and "Mother - 2009" [CJ Entertainment]

Some of the biggest names in the South Korean film industry, as well as its most noted productions, have been nominated in multiple categories at this year's Hollywood-based Green Globe Film Awards.

According to the event's official webpage, a number of Korea's top movie stars and films will compete in this year's "International Film Awards Theme: Asia" segment of the event which recognizes movies, actors and directors in the Eastern region of the globe.

Noteworthy nominees include Song Kang-ho for film "Thirst", Ha Jeong-woo for "Take Off" and Kim Myeong-min for "Closer to Heaven" in the category for best international actor...More

"Old Partner" director Lee Chung-ryoul (left) and producer Ko Young-jae at the 7th Max Movie Awards on February 9, 2010. [Asia Economic Daily]

Korean documentary "Old Partner" won the trophy for best picture at the 7th Max Movie Awards on Tuesday.

"Partner" also took the prize for best movie poster at the annual event, which hands out its awards based on a survey on movie fans. A total 753,277 people participated in the survey conducted from January 5 through February 2 this year.

The acclaimed indie film -- which attracted over three million viewers in Korea during its limited theatrical release -- is about an old farmer couple and their lifelong friendship with an old partner, a 40-year-old ox....More

Director Bong Joon-ho's critically acclaimed movie "Mother - 2009" and the two leading actors from the tearjerker "Closer to Heaven" took top honors at the Blue Dragon Film Awards in Seoul on Wednesday.

The Blue Dragon Film Awards, which is celebrating its 30th event this year, is a major film awards ceremony in Korea along with the Daejong Film Awards held early last month.

Actor Kim Myeong-min, who is well known for his rigorous self-discipline and his ability to adapt to different roles, actually shed 20 kilograms (44 pounds) to play a patient with Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in ...More

Best film in the 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards on Wednesday went to "Mother - 2009" directed by Bong Joon-ho. The ceremony was held at the KBS Hall in Seoul.

"Mother - 2009" tells the story of a mother whose son is wrongly indicted for murder and who struggles to hunt down the real killer. The film was invited to this year's Cannes International Film Festival for the Un Certain Regard section.

Best director went to Kim Yong-hwa, who directed "Take Off", and best actor to Kim Myeong-min for his part in "...More

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Kim Myeong-min and Ha Ji-won, who starred as a married couple in Park Jin-pyo's tearjerker "Closer to Heaven", were named Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, at the Blue Dragon Awards, Wednesday evening, in Yeouido, Seoul.

"I'm not sure if I deserve this award. I am thankful, though, as I have to try twice as hard because of my less-than-perfect acting abilities", said Kim, who had previously made headlines for shedding 20 kilograms to play a terminally ill patient. Ever since his breakthrough role in the TV drama "Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-shin", he has been sweeping various Best Actor awards for characters he played on both the big and small screen.

Kim Myeong-min
winner of the Best Actor Award
The 37-year-old, eyes welling with tears, went on to thank his co-star Ha: "I was able to finish the movie because of you ...More