The 61st Baeksang Arts Awards was filled with fierce competition and shining moments of sincerity among actors. Among them, Lee Byung-hun, nominated for Best Actor in Film for The Match, did not take home a trophy, but his genuine support for fellow actors showcased a dignity more lasting than any award.
“Though he went home empty-handed, Lee Byung-hun remained the most dignified presence on stage.”
This year’s Baeksang ceremony took place on May 5 at COEX D Hall in Gangnam, Seoul. The Best Actor award in film went to Jo Jung-suk for Pilot, surpassing nominees such as Yoon Joo-sang (The Land of Morning Calm), Lee Hee-joon (Handsome Guys), and Lee Byung-hun.
In The Match, Lee Byung-hun played Go legend Cho Hun-hyun, delivering a near-perfect performance that felt almost possessed. His meticulous expressions, restrained emotions, and commanding presence filled the screen. The performance sparked comments like “It felt like Cho Hun-hyun was acting himself,” and helped push The Match past 2 million viewers.
The intense game scene in the latter part of the film between Cho Hun-hyun and his protégé Lee Chang-ho (played by Yoo Ah-in) was a masterclass in subtle tension. Lee’s calculated breathing and deep immersion gave audiences a gripping sense of realism, blurring the line between performance and lived history.
Lee Byung-hun has a long-standing relationship with the Baeksang Arts Awards. He won Best Actor in Film in 2006 for A Bittersweet Life, and in 2020, he received the Grand Prize in TV for the drama Mr. Sunshine. Loved by both film and television audiences, he is a fixture of Baeksang and a reliable “trustworthy actor.”
Still, this Baeksang may have felt particularly lonely for Lee. Yoo Ah-in, his co-star in The Match, was absent due to his conviction for habitual drug use, for which he received a suspended sentence on appeal. From promotional rounds to the awards stage, Lee stood alone in representing the film, showing unwavering sincerity.
Despite the missed win, Lee Byung-hun never left the stage nor stopped applauding others. When Yoo Jae-myung won Best Supporting Actor, Lee stood up, shook his hand, and celebrated enthusiastically.
Lee Byung-hun may not have won a trophy that night, but he filled the venue with genuine applause and grace. Even without an award, he remains one of the most powerful actors of his generation.