The '2024 Seoul International Film Awards' ceremony was held for the first time in five years, where tributes were paid to the late Kim Soo-mi and Song Jae-rim, who recently passed away, while also sharing the joy of meaningful awards.
On the afternoon of the 5th, the '2024 Seoul International Film Awards Ceremony' took place at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Jung-gu, Seoul.
The 'Seoul International Film Awards' is hosted by the Korean Actors Association and has been held up to the 11th edition since its inception in 2012 as the 'Star Night - Top Star Awards Ceremony.' This year, the name was changed to 'Seoul International Film Awards,' and it was conducted for films released from April 2023 to October 2024, as well as works aired on OTT platforms.
The Best Picture award went to 'Crime City 4,' while the Best Director award was won by Lee Jong-pil for 'Escape.' The trophy for Most Audience Award went to 'Spring in Seoul.' The Best Actor award was given to Byun Yo-han for convincingly portraying an unlikable character in 'She Died,' and the Best Actress award was jointly awarded to Kim Young-ok and Na Moon-hee for showcasing their skills in 'Picnic.'
Byun Yo-han stated, “I received the Popular Star Award here in 2015, and now, ten years later, receiving this award (Best Actor) makes me feel like my seniors have been watching over me, and I feel the need to work harder and do better,” expressing his strong determination to “do my best to protect Korean cinema with the talent I have.”
Jo Jin-woong received the Best Actor Award selected by film actors. Holding the prestigious trophy, he said, “This place feels very reassuring. I am very grateful to the teachers and seniors in front of me for leading the way,” and added, “Thank you to everyone who invited me to this grand festival and honored me with this award. I will work hard as a junior to ensure that the hard work and honor of my seniors are not tarnished. Please love Korean cinema a lot,” evoking a sense of emotion.
In particular, the late actress Kim Soo-mi was selected as the recipient of the Special Contribution Award, allowing everyone to remember her face once again through the screen. Kim Soo-mi passed away on the morning of October 25 at the age of 75. She was transported to Seoul St. Mary's Hospital in a state of cardiac arrest but was pronounced dead.
Her daughter-in-law, Seo Hyo-rim, accepted the award on her behalf. Seo Hyo-rim introduced herself as “the daughter-in-law of the late Kim Soo-mi, who has now become an eternal star in the sky,” and expressed her gratitude, saying, “Thank you for giving my mother this (Special Contribution) award. She was unique and stubborn, and she shared many emotions with the public over a long period. (In her lifetime) she was proud of being an actress. I hope you will remember her forever,” shedding tears.
Tributes were also paid to another late actor, Song Jae-rim. Actress Jung Yu-mi, who won the Special Acting Award in the OTT category for the TVING drama 'Queen Woo,' mentioned the late actor.
Song Jae-rim passed away at the young age of 39. The sudden news shocked the entertainment industry. While sharing her thoughts, Jung Yu-mi sincerely mourned, saying, “I hope the actor Song Jae-rim, with whom I acted together, finds peace and rest there.”
This was not a place for a star's personal life or to clarify private issues, but purely a festival for filmmakers. It was also a moment to feel what the dignity of a film festival truly is.
<The following are the winners of the ‘2024 Seoul International Film Awards’>
▲ Best Picture: ‘Crime City 4’
▲ Best Director: Lee Jong-pil (‘Escape’)
▲ Most Audience Award: ‘Spring in Seoul’
▲ Best Actor: Byun Yo-han (‘She Died’)
▲ Best Actress: Kim Young-ok, Na Moon-hee (‘Picnic’)
▲ Best Supporting Actor: Kim Jae-cheol (‘Grave Robbery’)
▲ Best Supporting Actress: Lee Yoon-ji (‘Dream Palace’)
▲ Best Actor Award Selected by Film Actors: Jo Jin-woong (‘Dead Man’)
▲ Asia Popular Actor Award: Luo Mingjie (China)
▲ Jury Special Award: Eom Tae-goo (JTBC ‘The Woman Who Plays’)
▲ Best Acting Award in the Drama Category: Gong Min-jung (Netflix ‘Morning Comes to the Psychiatric Ward’)
▲ Special Contribution Award: The Late Kim Soo-mi
▲ Contribution Award: Lee Hae-ryong
▲ Entertainer Award: Lim Won-hee
▲ Special Acting Award in the OTT Category: Jung Yu-mi (TVING ‘Queen Woo’)
▲ Best Work in the OTT Category: TVING ‘Pyramid Game’
▲ Best Male Popularity Award: Byun Woo-seok (tvN ‘Jumping with Seon-jae’)
▲ Best Female Popularity Award: Go Min-si (Netflix ‘In the Forest Where No One Is’)
▲ Best New Director Award: Heo Myung-haeng (‘Crime City 4’)
▲ Best New Actor Award: Park Ji-hoon (‘The World’s Really Pretty Audrey’)
▲ Best New Actress Award: Lee Joo-myung (‘Pilot’)
▲ Asia New Actor Award: Regina Lei (Taiwan)
▲ Documentary Director Award: Jang I-re, Choi Dong-ho (‘Chuncheon Battle 72 Hours’)
▲ Film Development Business Person Award: Lee Jae-hwa
