Korean awards many times received mixed reactions for handing out important awards to actors with unimpressive performances or characters.
Actors with controversial acting skills, roles that are too bland, confusing criteria to determine the winners,… there were many times when Korean film and drama awards drew criticism for handing out trophies to the “wrong winners”.
1. Cha Eun Woo – Emotive Award at Asia Artist Awards 2021
Cha Eun Woo came under controversy after winning the Emotive Award at the AAA 2021 that took place at the beginning of December. Many netizens find it ironic that Cha Eun Woo was given the title of Emotive actor when his acting is often deemed stiff and lacking emotions. It would have made more sense if he won the Popularity Award.
2. Ahn Jae Hyun – Best Actor at Korean Drama Awards 2016
Besides Cha Eun Woo, Ahn Jae Hyun is another actor who often draws mixed reviews on his acting. If the idol-turned actor only received a side award, Ahn Jae Hyun shocked the audience when he won Best Actor at the 2016 Korean Drama Awards – the award known as the Korean Oscars. The most confusing part is Ahn Jae Hyun earned this title for his average performance as the second male lead in Cinderella and the Four Knights.
3. Jung Woo Sung – Daesang at Baeksang Arts Awards 2019
If you are a fan of Korean films, you must know that Baeksang is a prestigious award that every actor wants to receive. It is because of its reputation that Baeksang is said to always find the actors most deserving of the awards. However, in 2019, this award sparked controversy when it awarded the main prize – Daesang – to actor Jung Woo Sung. What caused the controversy was that the drama that helped him receive the Daesang that year, Innocent Witness, was not one that enabled him make a significant impact on the public.
4. Lee Jong Suk – Daesang at MBC Drama Awards 2016
There is no denying that Lee Jong Suk successfully performed the male lead in the hit drama W – Two Worlds, but the fact that he received the Daesang of the 2016 MBC Drama Awards is still controversial. Specifically that year, the Daesang was chosen not by the judging panel but by the votes of the audience. Many people wonder why the most prestigious trophy at an awards ceremony was equated with the “Fans’ choice award”. Besides, Lee Jong Suk‘s 40-second speech was also heavily criticized.
