The 2024 KBS Drama Awards aired on the afternoon of January 11, hosted by Jang Sung-kyu, Seohyun, and Moon Sang-min. Originally scheduled to be broadcast live on December 31, the awards ceremony was delayed and replaced with a recorded broadcast due to the national mourning period following the tragic accident involving a Jeju Air flight at Muan Airport.
Under the circumstances, the atmosphere was somber. Participants mostly wore black, and many winners dedicated their acceptance speeches to honoring the victims of the disaster.
Other tributes were also paid personally by the awardees. Ham Eun-jung, who won the best actress award in the daily drama category, mentioned her late mother, who died a month ago. She tearfully recalled how her mother had always monitored the works in which she appeared.
Ham Eun-jung expressed gratitude for the viewers who shared her joy and sorrow, promising to continue to provide thoughtful performances.
Shin Hyun-joon, who won the best actor award for a long-form drama, also remembered actress Kim Soo-mi, who passed away in October 2023. He shared his emotional memories of filming “Iron Family ” as she mourned her death, expressing her hope that she would be happy in the afterlife.
The tears didn’t stop there. Lee Soon-jae, who won the best actor award at age 89, became emotional as he reflected on his experiences. Lee Soon-jae, who has been mentoring students as a professor at Gachon University for 13 years, mentioned how filming “Dog Knows Everything” made it difficult to balance his time with his students. His heartfelt words about his students brought tears to the eyes of his younger actors, including Yoon Da-hoon and Ham Eun-jung.
At the end of the ceremony, a tribute video was shown to honor the actors who passed away in 2024, including Nam Goong-won, Oh Hyun-kyung, Nam Il-woo, Kwon Sung-duck, Kim Dong-soo, Kim Soo. -mi, Park Ji-a and Song Jae-rim.
One of the biggest moments was Kim Jung-hyun’s apology after seven years. Kim Jung-hyun, who starred in MBC’s 2018 drama “Time,” caused a stir at the press conference by refusing to pose with co-star Seohyun and acting aloof during intimate scenes. His controversial behavior led to speculation about his relationship with actress Seo Ye-ji, which further fueled the scandal.
Although the ceremony didn’t have a lively atmosphere, some fun moments lightened the mood. Actor Kim Myung-soo unintentionally caused laughter when the camera caught him looking blank while actress Lee Young-ae presented the Popularity Award. He smiled awkwardly, which eased the otherwise serious atmosphere slightly.
Shin Hyun-joon’s witty acceptance speech also brought laughter. He jokingly thanked all the nutritional supplements, health products and cosmetics that helped him through difficult times in his acting career, further lightening the mood.
2024 KBS Drama Awards Winners
Grand Prix (Daesang): Lee Soon-jae for (The Dog Knows It All)
Maximum Excellence Award:
Actor: Ji Hyun-woo (Beauty and Mr.Romantic), Kim Jung-hyun (Iron Family)
Actress: Park Ji-young (Iron Family), Im Soo-hyang (Beauty and Mr.Romantic)Excellence Award:
Actor in a Miniseries: Park Ji-hoon (Love Song for Illusion)
Actress in a Miniseries: Yeon-woo (The Dog Knows It All), Han Ji-hyun (Face Me)
Actor in a Drama Series: Shin Hyun-joon (Iron Family)
Actress in a Drama Series: Keum Sae-rok (Iron Family)
Actor in a daily drama: Baek Sung-hyun (Suji and Uri), Oh Chang-seok (The Two Sisters)
Actress in a daily drama: Park Ha-na (My Merry Wedding), Hahm Eun-jung (Suji and Uri)Best Couple Award:
Ji Hyun-woo and Lim Soo-hyang (Beauty and Mr. Romantic)
Kim Jung-hyun and Keum Sae-rok (Iron Family)
Baek Seong-hyun and Ham Eun-jung (Suji and Uri)
Park Ji-young, Shin Hyun-joon and Kim Hye-eun (Iron Family)
Lee Soon-jae, Ari (Sophie) and Yeon-woo (Dog Knows It All)Best Actor/Actress in a TV Drama/Movie Special: Nam Da-reum (Our Story), Oh Ye-ju (To My Lonely Sister)
Popularity Award:
Actor: Kim Myung-soo (Dare to love me)
Actress: Keum Sae-rok (Iron Family)Best Supporting Actor: Choi Tae-joon (The Iron Family), Kim Yong-geon (The Dog Knows It All)
Best Supporting Actress: Yoon Yoo-sun (Beauty and Mr. Romantic)Screenplay Award: Seo Sook-hyang (Iron Family)
Best New Actor: Seo Beom-jun (Nothing Discovered), Park Sang-nam (My Good Marriage)
Best New Actress: Hong Ye-ji (Love Song for Illusion), Han Su-a (Beauty and Mr.Romantic)Best Young Actor: Moon Sung-hyun (Beauty and Mr. Romantic)
Best Young Actress: Lee Seol-a (Beauty and Mr. Romantic)
