Korean conglomerate CJ ENM recently selected 7 “entertainment pioneers” who presented a new vision to the K-entertainment industry with their unique creativity, forming the “2024 Visionary” list.
The individuals selected for “’2024 Visionary” include webtoon artist and screenwriter Kang Full (also known as Kang Pool), director Kim Yong-hoon, actors Ryu Seung-ryong and Song Hye-kyo, boy group Stray Kids, choreographer Monika, and singer-actress Uhm Jung-hwa.
In particular, Song Hye-kyo and Kim Yong-hoon were chosen as entertainment pioneers who express a relatable and realistic fantasy, providing inspiration to the industry and creators.
Song Hye-kyo received praise for her transformative acting and overwhelming immersion in “The Glory”, which ranked third among most-watched works by Netflix viewers worldwide. Addressing the societal issue of school violence, the series gained global empathy.
Meanwhile, Kim Yong-hoon was behind the Netflix series “Masked Girl”, which directly tackles issues in modern society, such as hate, sexuality, and appearanceism.
Uhm Jung-hwa and Stray Kids are recognized as distinctive artists who reinterpret a unique perspective for the current era.
Uhm Jung-hwa, a “living legend in progress”, has proven her value as a multi-entertainer through roles in the JTBC drama “Dr. Cha” and the tvN program “Dancing Queens on the Road”.Through her first solo concert in 24 years, she also asserted her presence as the “Madonna of Korea”.
Meanwhile, Stray Kids, armed with their unique music world filled with energy and style, achieved 1st place on the Billboard 200 chart for all four albums released since 2022. Last year, Stray Kids’ title “LALALALA” entered the “Billboard Hot 100”, and the group became the first among K-pop 4th generation boy groups to perform at the four major domes in Japan, solidifying their position as a global trendsetter.
Finally, Kang Full, Ryu Seung-ryong, and Monika have shown their ability to create newness, expanding their target audience.
Kang Full, the writer of the Korean hero drama “Moving” (Disney+), and actor Ryu Seung-ryong, have created new genres and characters with their unique creativity. In particular, Kang Full has introduced the new drama genre “K-Hero”, with a convincing humanist-centered narrative that encompasses various generations.
Meanwhile, Ryu Seung-ryong is an irreplaceable actor who pours all his energy into each work, solidifying his position as a national treasure-level actor in Korea with four 10 million-view films such as “Extreme Job” and “Miracle in Cell No. 7”.
Last but not least, Monika, who appeared in “Street Woman Fighter”, made headlines for her sharp and objective review based on empathy and affection. Recognized as the “leader of the K-dance scene”, Monika expanded the realm of dancers with a strong belief and passion in dance, proving the potential of K-dance. She became the first choreographer to win a Visionary Award, as listed in “2024 Visionary”.
Source: Daum
