The 2024 KBS Drama Awards, which aired on January 11, 2025, celebrated the year’s best Korean dramas. Originally planned for December 31, 2024, the ceremony was postponed and pre-recorded out of respect for the victims of the Jeju Air plane crash. Despite the somber backdrop, the event showcased outstanding talent and productions.
Key Moments from the Ceremony
Two moments stood out during the awards. Veteran actorLee Soon-jae, at 90 years old, received the Daesang (Grand Prize) for his role in Dog Knows Everything, becoming the oldest recipient of this honor. He emphasized that awards should recognize performance, regardless of age, and that acting should be judged on merit, not popularity.
“I’ve received a beautiful and precious award. Even if you’re over 60, you can still be recognized with an acting award, not just a lifetime achievement award. Acting should be evaluated based on performance alone, not on popularity or other conditions,” said Lee Soon-jae.
#LeeSoonJae's daesang speech: Korean Actors shouldn't be given awards just because they're over 60. They deserved to be awarded regardless of age if they acted well. Actors should be evaluated based on their acting, not through popularity or other criteria.#2024KBSDramaAwardshttps://t.co/UcsH8cXSxQ
Another significant moment was Kim Jung-hyun’s public apology. He seemed to address past controversies related to his behavior during the 2018 drama Time. He spoke about accountability. In 2018, Kim Jung-hyun faced criticism for unprofessional conduct during Time and later left the show due to health reasons. Further criticism arose in 2021 due to messages suggesting manipulation by his then-rumored partner, Seo Ye-ji. After a two-year break, he returned to acting with Kokdu: Season of Deity and currently stars in The Iron Family. In his speech, he acknowledged his past mistakes, apologized sincerely, and stated that his reflection was for personal growth, not just to be forgiven.
Best Scriptwriter Award: Seo Soo-hyang (Iron Family)
The 2024 KBS Drama Awards recognized the creativity and talent within the Korean drama industry, honoring those who created memorable moments for viewers.
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Saikat Nandy is an entertainment news writer who covers the latest trends and stories from the world of showbiz, has a keen eye for spotting the most interesting and relevant topics, and delivers them to his audience with flair and humor. He is also a freelance blogger, content writer, and website designer who loves to explore new technologies and creative ideas.
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