At the 2023 KBS Drama Awards held on December 31 at KBS Hall in Seoul, actor Choi Soo-jong claimed the Daesang, becoming the true protagonist.
Choi Soo-jong, along with fellow actors, paid tribute to departed colleagues and captivated viewers at the ceremony.
Mourning the Late Lee Sun-kyun
Lee Won-jong, who won the supporting actor award for his role in the ‘Korea-Khitan War,’ captured attention twice—first with a greeting to Choi Soo-jong and then with condolences for the late Lee Sun-kyun.
On stage, Lee Won-jong expressed gratitude and excitement for the award, mentioning his connection with KBS dramas since 1997. He shared a heartfelt moment by giving Choi Soo-jong an “air kiss,” creating a warm atmosphere.
Acknowledging the recent departure of Lee Sun-kyun, Lee Won-jong emphasized the need to prevent a recurrence of tragic times and expressed the weight of the loss.
Goryeo Emperor Yaul Yung-so (Kim Hyuk) and General So Bae-ap (Kim Jun-bae) Storm the Ceremony
Introducing themselves as actors from the drama ‘Korea-Khitan War,’ Kim Hyuk and Kim Jun-bae, appearing in their characters’ costumes, presented awards at the 2023 KBS Drama Awards. Their striking visuals and playful remarks entertained the audience.
In character, they humorously declared their intent to conquer Goryeo, bringing a lively atmosphere to the ceremony. Their playful response to the request for presenting awards added a touch of humor, solidifying their roles as outstanding stars.
Lee Joon Handles Live Broadcast Accident
The live broadcast of the 2023 KBS Drama Awards experienced some mishaps. Lee Yoo-young and Lee Joon, presenting an award, faced a momentary confusion as they didn’t receive the winner’s name on the award card.
Lee Joon skillfully handled the situation, requesting the organizers to throw the card, adding a touch of coolness. Even when joking about having a card later, Lee Joon showed composure, contributing to the spontaneity of the live broadcast.
Ji Hyun-woo left a legendary ‘bewildered’ meme as he was unexpectedly announced as the winner. On that day, as the presenter of the Grand Prize, he expressed his wish for the new year, saying, “I hope there will be a wonderful winning scene that surpasses my winning moment at this KBS Acting Awards.”
Rowoon, who became the male Grand Prize winner thanks to Ji Hyun-woo’s announcement, first credited his family with honor. At that moment, he said, “To my beloved parents and my sister whom I moderately like,” revealing the reality of his sibling relationship. He added, “As someone who loves acting and wants to do well, I don’t know what it means to do well, but I will continue to make steady efforts. Please watch over me with blurry eyes,” bringing laughter to the audience with his playful request.
The amusing remarks of the stars also caught the attention of the audience. The sincerity of the actors who have silently walked the path of acting for years filled the precious moments of the awards ceremony. From Lee Jae-won, who won the Male Drama Special/TV Cinema Award after 15 years since his debut, to Seo Joon-young, who skipped the Youth Acting Award and Rookie Award and embraced the Excellence Award (Daily Drama Division), to Lee Si-kang, who started as a supporting role and won the Excellence Award (Daily Drama Division) after 15 years, and Ji Seung-hyun, who took on the iconic role of Yang Kyu after 18 years and won both the Popularity Award and Male Excellence Award (Feature Drama Section). Their acceptance speeches, where they left behind difficult pasts and expressed their determination to strive harder in the future, evoked deep emotions.
Of course, the struggles related to their professions were also ongoing. The Female Rookie Award winner, Seo Ji-hye, shared, “I have never been satisfied with a single shoot, thinking, ‘This doesn’t seem right, I seem so untalented.’ I even questioned if I had the qualifications to be an actor and take on this role.” Likewise, Female Excellence Award winner (Daily Drama Division) Choi Yoon-young confessed, “I’ve been digging one well with acting sincerity since high school, but this year, for the first time, I wondered if I could continue this job for a few more years, personally having many concerns.”
Baek Jin-hee, who won the Female Excellence Award (Feature Drama Division), also revealed, “As someone who watched the award ceremony at home until yesterday as a viewer, I have been contemplating and blaming myself a lot about when I will be able to confidently add the title ‘actor’ to my name.” Despite silently walking the path, these actors who continue to ponder the weight that the name ‘actor’ carries received support from the viewers for their future.
2023 KBS Acting Awards Winners List
Daesang (Grand Prize): Choi Soo Jong (“Korea-Khitan War”)
Top Excellence Award (Actress): Uee (“Live Your Own Life”)
Top Excellence Award (Actor): Kim Dong Jun (“Korea-Khitan War”), Rowoon (“The Matchmakers”)
Excellence Award – Miniseries (Actress): Seol In Ah (“Oasis”), Cho Yi Hyun (“The Matchmakers”)
Excellence Award – Miniseries (Actor): Jang Dong Yoon (“Oasis”)
Excellence Award – Long-Form Drama (Actress): Baek Jin Hee (“The Real Has Come!”)
Excellence Award – Long-Form Drama (Actor): Ji Seung Hyun (“Korea-Khitan War”), Ha Jun (“Live Your Own Life”)
Best Couple Award: Jang Dong Yoon and Seol In Ah (“Oasis”), Ahn Jae Hyun and Baek Jin Hee (“The Real Has Come!”), Ha Jun and Uee (“Live Your Own Life”), Rowoon and Cho Yi Hyun (“The Matchmakers”), Choi Soo Jong and Kim Dong Jun (“Korea-Khitan War”)
Popularity Award (Actress): Seol In Ah (“Oasis”), Uee (“Live Your Own Life”), Cho Yi Hyun (“The Matchmakers”)
Popularity Award (Actor): Rowoon (“The Matchmakers”), Ahn Jae Hyun (“The Real Has Come!”), Lee Sang Yeob (“My Lovely Boxer”), Ji Seung Hyun (“Korea-Khitan War”)
Excellence Award – Daily Drama (Actress): Nam Sang Ji (“Unpredictable Family”), Choi Yoon Young (“Woman in a Veil”)
Excellence Award – Daily Drama (Actor): Seo Jun Young (“Apple of My Eye”), Lee Si Kang (“The Elegant Empire”)
Best Supporting Actress: Kang Kyung Hun (“Oasis,” “2023 KBS Drama Special: Behind the Shadows”)
Best Supporting Actor: Kim Myung Soo (“Oasis”), Lee Won Jong (“Korea-Khitan War”), Jo Han Chul (“The Matchmakers”)
Best Writer: Lee Jung Woo (“Korea-Khitan War”)
Drama Special/TV Cinema Award (Actress): Chae Won Bin (“2023 KBS Drama Special – Love Attack”), Hong Seung Hee (“2023 KBS Drama Special – Behind the Shadows”)
Drama Special/TV Cinema Award (Actor): Lee Jae Won (“No Path Back”)
Best New Actress: Seo Ji Hye (“My Perfect Stranger”)
Best New Actor: Lee Won Jung (“My Perfect Stranger”), Choo Young Woo (“Oasis”)
Best Child Actress: Kim Si Eun (“Apple of My Eye”)
Best Child Actor: Moon Woo Jin (“2023 KBS Drama Special – Dog Days of Summer”)
