Jo Jung Suk has won the Best Actor in Film award at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards for his role in Pilot. The ceremony took place on May 5, 2025, at COEX Hall D in Seoul. Pilot is a comedy film that attracted over 4.7 million viewers in South Korea. Jo’s performance as Han Jung Woo, a pilot who disguises himself as a woman to secure a job, earned widespread praise. The Baeksang Arts Awards is one of South Korea’s most respected events, honoring achievements in film, television, and theater.
Jo faced strong competition from nominees like Yoon Joo-sang (The Land of Morning Calm), Lee Byung-hun (The Match), Lee Hee-joon (Handsome Guys), and Hyun Bin (Harbin). His win marks his first Baeksang Arts Award. The film Pilot, a remake of the 2012 Swedish movie Cockpit, was a box office hit. It tells the story of a skilled pilot who faces unemployment and reinvents himself. Jo’s ability to blend humor and emotion was key to the film’s success.
During his acceptance speech, Jo shared his gratitude and emotions.
“I’m incredibly grateful. So many people come to mind when I receive this kind of recognition. I sincerely thank the director, cast, and crew of ‘Pilot’ who made filming so enjoyable. For me, this project was a challenge. I worried if I could pull it off, and whether I was being too reckless.”
He also thanked the audience for their support. Jo credited their love for Pilot as a reason for his confidence in taking on the role. He ended his speech by expressing love for his family and promising to keep challenging himself as an actor. Fans on X celebrated his win, praising his comedic and emotional performance.
“OMG JO JUNG SUK BEST ACTOR FOR FILM! PILOT WAS SO HILARIOUS!! DESERVED!!” “congrats to Jo Jung Suk on winning best actor! I loved his dorky character in pilot. It was so entertaining to me 😆”
Pilot is a 2024 South Korean comedy directed by Kim Han-gyul. The film also stars Lee Ju-myoung, Han Sun-hwa, and Shin Seung-ho. It follows Han Jung Woo, a star pilot who loses his job due to a mistake. To survive, he adopts his sister’s identity, Han Jung Mi, and faces new challenges. The movie grossed over $5.7 million and sold nearly 900,000 tickets by August 2024.
Jo’s win adds to his recent achievements. He received a Presidential Commendation at the 15th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards. He also won Best Actor at the 11th Korea Film Producers Association Awards. His role in Pilot showcased his versatility, building on his past successes in Hospital Playlist and My Annoying Brother. Jo has a strong background in theater and began his career in musicals in 2004.
The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards was hosted by Shin Dong Yup, Suzy, and Park Bo Gum. The event was broadcast live on JTBC, JTBC2, and JTBC4. Other winners included Harbin for Best Film and When Life Gives You Tangerines for Best Drama. The awards recognized works released between April 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. The ceremony highlighted the growing influence of streaming platforms, with the television category renamed to “Broadcasting.”
Jo Jung Suk married singer Gummy in 2018 after going public in 2015. They have one daughter. His next project, Zombie Daughter, is set to premiere in July 2025. Fans are excited to see Jo take on another unique role. His Baeksang win has solidified his reputation as one of South Korea’s top actors.
Social media reactions showed strong support for Jo’s performance. Fans called Pilot one of the best comedies of 2024. Many highlighted his ability to make the character both funny and relatable. The film’s success and Jo’s award have sparked interest in its international availability. Viewers are eager to see if Pilot will stream globally.
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