'Pachinko', America's Independent Spirit's Best Ensemble Lee Min-ho, "It's an honor to receive an award"

Actor Lee Min-ho enjoyed the joy of winning the Best Ensemble Cast Award for 'Pachinko' at the American Film Independent Spirit Awards.

According to the agency MYM Entertainment on the 6th, the Apple TV+ original drama 'Pachinko' won the Best Ensemble Cast Award at the 38th Film Independent Spirit Awards held in Santa Monica, California, USA on the 4th (local time).

The Film Independent Spirit Awards, where 'Pachinko' won the Best Ensemble Cast award, is an awards ceremony hosted by the non-profit organization Film Independent. The nominations were limited to American independent films, but the awards were expanded to include TV series in 2020. Previously, Lee Jung-jae of 'Squid Game' won the Best Actor award, Yoon Yeo-jung of 'Minari' won the Best Supporting Actress award, and 'Parasite' won the International Feature Film Award.

Lee Min-ho, who is currently filming Season 2 of 'Pachinko' in Toronto, Canada, shared his thoughts on the award through a video with cast members including Yoon Yeo-jeong, Kim Min-ha, and Jin-ha. As the award was given to the 'Pachinko' team, the strong affection and chemistry between Noh Sang-hyun, who delivered his acceptance speech at the awards ceremony, and the 'Pachinko' team, which expressed gratitude through a video, was felt.

Lee Min-ho said, "I am sincerely grateful to the Film Independent Spirit Awards for giving me such a meaningful award. We are working hard on filming Season 2 in Canada. Please look forward to Season 2 as well. It is an honor to receive the award, and I am grateful to the many people who supported us. “I would like to say thank you,” he said.

'Pachinko' is a story that begins with forbidden love and travels between Korea, Japan, and the United States, drawing an unforgettable chronicle of war and peace, love and separation, victory and judgment.

In the play, Lee Min-ho plays Han-soo, a charming character who completely shakes the life of Seon-ja (played by Kim Min-ha) when he was young. Lee Min-ho showed off an unconventional acting transformation by delicately portraying Hansoo's irresistible, fatal charm as well as his complex inner self, conflicted between ambition and love.

At the 2022 Gold Derby TV Awards, he won two awards, the Best Actor Award and the Actor of the Year Award for 'Pachinko'. Lee Min-ho, who showed off his great performance in 'Pachinko' Season 1, recently finished filming the drama 'Ask the Stars' and began filming 'Pachinko' Season 2 in Canada.

Kang Min-kyung, Ten Asia reporter kkk39@tenasia.co.kr