Han Suk-kyu Wins Grand Prize at 2024 MBC Drama Awards Amidst Heartfelt Tributes

Han Suk-kyu took home the Grand Prize at the '2024 MBC Drama Awards'. In the mini-series category, Lee Je-hoon, Yoo Yeon-seok, and Lee Ha-nee won the Best Actor and Actress awards. Seo Jun-young, Oh Seung-ah, and Uhm Hyun-kyung were honored in the daily drama and one-act play categories. During their acceptance speeches, the winners expressed condolences to the victims and families affected by the Muan Airport tragedy. The prevalence of joint winners left some feeling bittersweet.

The '2024 MBC Drama Awards' aired on the evening of the 5th. Although the ceremony was held on the 30th of last month, MBC decided not to broadcast it live due to the national mourning period following the Muan Airport tragedy, opting instead to air a recorded version. The event was hosted by Kim Sung-joo and Chae Soo-bin.

Han Suk-kyu delivered a powerful performance in 'The Intimate Betrayer'. He expressed, "I feel apologetic. Everything we do is for the viewers and audience, but a great tragedy has occurred, and it pains my heart." He continued, "As an actor, I constantly ponder how to convey my sincerity and truthfulness. I sincerely wish to offer my condolences to the families affected by this tragedy."

Han Suk-kyu added, "I wanted to do 'The Intimate Betrayer' to emphasize the importance of family. I've realized that the theme of my life's work has always been family. I wanted to convey this message through 'The Intimate Betrayer'. I wanted to share such stories, but to those who have lost family members," he said, choking up. "I offer my deepest condolences. I feel apologetic and wish to apologize. I'm sorry," he said, expressing his sorrow before quietly leaving the stage.

In the mini-series category, Lee Je-hoon from 'Detective 1958' and Yoo Yeon-seok from 'The Call You Made' shared the Best Actor award. Lee Je-hoon expressed, "This was a legendary work loved by MBC, and I was thrilled when I heard about the prequel. When I was offered the role of Park Young-han, originally played by Choi Bool-am, I was both excited and felt a great sense of responsibility. Despite the challenges, I was determined to present a valuable work to the viewers. I am truly grateful to the director, writer, and fellow actors. I also want to thank the staff who worked hard from the hot summer. It was an honor to share this great work with everyone, and it will be a memorable project for me." He added, "The biggest reason I chose this project was thanks to Choi Bool-am, who played Park. I hope he remains healthy, and I will strive to be a good actor who doesn't tarnish his legacy. I wish for more happiness and good things in 2025. Thank you all for your health."

Yoo Yeon-seok said, "I did my first drama, 'General Hospital 2', with MBC 16 years ago. I am deeply moved to receive such a big award. I thank the viewers and fans who loved our drama. I am grateful to the representatives who suggested this drama to me. I also thank my agency's representative who recommended this project. I wonder what I would have done if I hadn't taken it. This award is not just for me but for all the directors, staff, and actors who worked hard on our drama." He continued, "While working on this project, I was physically exhausted and unsure if I was doing well. At that time, Han Suk-kyu was filming his last scene on set, and I went to greet him. He gave me encouraging words. He did the same during 'Dr. Romantic', and this time, during a short break on set, he praised me for nearly an hour, which gave me the strength to finish filming. I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude."

The Best Actress award in the mini-series category went to Lee Ha-nee for 'Flowers Bloom at Night'. Lee Ha-nee said, "I am not someone who deserves such a big award, but I met a great team," expressing gratitude to her colleagues and staff. She added, "This was my first project after giving birth. I couldn't guarantee my physical condition, and it was a challenge for me. Thanks to the viewers' response, I am standing here. Thank you."

Lee Ha-nee reminisced, "I received the Newcomer Award for a daily drama from MBC. It reminded me a lot of that time. I had more reasons not to succeed than to succeed. I was too tall, my eyes were slanted, and my voice was low. There were many reasons. After enduring for about 10 years, those became strengths, and the world changed. If there are people chasing their dreams, don't stop and keep going, and you'll achieve something." She continued, "Becoming a mother is no ordinary task. I am learning and feeling how noble it is to take responsibility for someone and make sacrifices. I want to share this award with those who are sacrificing for others, especially the mothers who raised us." She also wished for peace and victory in 2025.

The Best Actor award in the mini-series category was shared by Lee Dong-hwi from 'Detective 1958' and Lee Jong-won from 'Flowers Bloom at Night'. In the female category, Chae Soo-bin from 'The Call You Made' won the award.

Lee Dong-hwi expressed, "I am truly grateful to Choi Bool-am and many senior actors who made it possible to recreate the drama 'Detective'. I also thank the director who tried hard to find a new side of me. Thanks to him, I was able to receive this award. I learned a lot from the set led by actor Lee Je-hoon, who is also the head of our agency. I learned a lot from his perseverance in leading the project without showing any signs of hardship." He added, "I am currently doing theater. I feel humility and gratitude. I realize that I can't do well alone, and I feel this from my colleagues. I will strive to be a good colleague and a good person." He also promised, "I will be an actor who can give courage and strength to those going through tough times."

Lee Jong-won thanked MBC and director Jang Tae-yoo for casting him. He said, "I want to give credit to senior Ha-nee, who made me realize a lot and showed how wonderful collaboration among actors can be. Thank you to the 'Flowers Bloom at Night' team who worked hard in the hot weather." He added, "To my beloved mother and father, congratulations to my eldest brother on his marriage, and thank you to my second brother for living diligently. Thank you to my cats." He concluded, "I feel that all I can do for those who need comfort is to convey words of comfort."

Chae Soo-bin shared, "I dreamed of becoming an actor since I was young. I thought it was wonderful to experience different lives. Each project felt like a gift to me. I realized that this gift is not limited to me but can be a comfort, joy, and happiness to others." She added, "Thank you for allowing me to experience a heartbreaking love story through 'The Call You Made'. Thank you to the director, writer, and all the staff. Thank you to the senior actors and colleagues I acted with. I want to thank Yoo Yeon-seok, whom we called 'Captain Yoo' on set. I also want to thank my family, friends, and everyone in my circle." Chae Soo-bin concluded with a message in sign language, "I was happy to meet you through the role of Hee-joo in the drama. Thank you for your love."

In the daily drama and one-act play categories, Seo Jun-young won the Best Actor award for 'Brave Yong Soo-jung'. The Best Actress award was shared by Uhm Hyun-kyung for 'Brave Yong Soo-jung' and Oh Seung-ah for 'The Third Marriage'. The Excellence Award in the daily and one-act play categories went to Moon Ji-hoo and Oh Se-young for 'The Third Marriage'. The Best Supporting Actor and Actress awards went to Jo Jae-yoon and Kim Mi-kyung for 'Flowers Bloom at Night' and 'Snow White's Death - Black Out', respectively.

A special appreciation award was given posthumously to the late Kim Soo-mi. Actress Seo Hyo-rim, her daughter-in-law, accepted the award on her behalf and shed tears during the tribute video.

Seo Hyo-rim reflected, "My mother debuted as part of MBC's third open recruitment in 1970. The first time I met her was on MBC's 'Man Who Sets the Table' in 2017, where we played mother and daughter. It was a connection made by MBC." She continued, "I wanted to say something happy while looking forward to the next year in a place that holds a special connection with my mother and is precious to me. Unexpectedly, our beloved Korea is suffering from various issues. I thought things would brighten up once I relieved my pain, but hearing sad news at the end of the year makes me wonder how to cope." She added, "I want to live for tomorrow. My mother used to say that yesterday is the past, today is a gift, and tomorrow is a mystery. I want to live today, which is a gift, and tomorrow, which is a mystery." She concluded, "I am grateful to the MBC staff for allowing me to conclude with my mother. I hope the new year will be one where all the people who are suffering can rise together."

Choi Bool-am received the Achievement Award.

The newly established Best Actor award was given to Byun Yo-han for 'Snow White's Death - Black Out' and Kim Nam-joo for 'Wonderful World'.

Byun Yo-han said, "Whenever the set was cold and tough, seeing the director made me feel something was blooming. It was reassuring. I met great colleagues while working on this project. Although my name was first in the credits, I believe the true best actors were those who worked with me. Especially Go Joon, this was your award, and I'm sorry. Happy New Year, and I will become an actor who shows better performances." Kim Nam-joo did not attend the ceremony.

Yoo Yeon-seok and Chae Soo-bin from 'The Call You Made' won the Best Couple award. Chae Soo-bin said, "During rehearsal, when the camera followed us, I thought, 'Are they giving us this award?'" She laughed and added, "I am happy to receive this award. It's thanks to my brother who led well on set. Thank you," expressing gratitude to Yoo Yeon-seok.

Yoo Yeon-seok said, "The couple Sa-eon and Hee-joo were nicknamed 'Sa-joo Couple'. I wanted to win the Best Couple award. I am grateful to receive this award with Soo-bin. Since this award is given by the fans and viewers who love our drama, I feel grateful. I am happy to feel the love for the drama." He added, "The reason I could receive this award was because Hee-joo was none other than Soo-bin. Thank you," expressing gratitude to Chae Soo-bin.

'Detective 1958' won the Best Drama award. EP Jang Jae-hoon said, "MBC's 'Detective', which aired for 18 years in the past, was reinterpreted and was the first attempt to utilize its unique IP." He hinted, "We are planning a 'Detective' series following 'Detective 1958'. We will soon create a better drama that surpasses 'Detective 1958' and present it to the viewers."

The Best New Actor award was shared by Lee Ga-seop from 'Snow White's Death - Black Out' and Heo Nam-joon from 'The Call You Made'. The Best New Actress award went to Chae Won-bin from 'The Intimate Betrayer'.

Lee Ga-seop said, "I am honored to have met such a team, including director Byun Young-joo, staff, seniors, and colleagues. I want to meet them again." He added, "I love my father, mother, and family. My father's health has been poor since the beginning of the year, and he is receiving treatment. I hope he doesn't worry because he has a family who loves him and whom he loves. I apologize for not expressing myself much. I sincerely love and respect you."

Heo Nam-joon said, "I recently came across a piece of writing that resonated with me. It said that if you feel comfortable talking to someone, it's because they are making a tremendous effort for you. I think that's what I felt while working on 'The Call You Made'. The seniors and staff quietly did their jobs without showing emotions and treated each other warmly. I learned that being a cool adult is like that." He added, "I love my father, mother, brother, and my niece who was born a few days ago."

Chae Won-bin said, "Thanks to all the seniors and colleagues I worked with, I learned and realized a lot. I hope to meet them again." She added, "I deeply respect director Han Suk-kyu. It was an honor to work with him." She concluded, "I will always pray for the many bereaved families who lost their loved ones in the sudden accident."


The '2024 MBC Drama Awards' aired on the evening of the 5th. Although the ceremony was held on the 30th of last month, MBC decided not to broadcast it live due to the national mourning period following the Muan Airport tragedy, opting instead to air a recorded version. The event was hosted by Kim Sung-joo and Chae Soo-bin.

◆ 2024 MBC Drama Awards Winners
▲ Grand Prize: Han Suk-kyu
▲ Drama of the Year: Detective 1958
▲ Best Actor in a Mini-Series: Lee Je-hoon, Yoo Yeon-seok
▲ Best Actress in a Mini-Series: Lee Ha-nee
▲ Excellence Award for Actor in a Mini-Series: Lee Dong-hwi, Lee Jong-won
▲ Excellence Award for Actress in a Mini-Series: Chae Soo-bin
▲ Best Actor in a Daily Drama/One-Act Play: Seo Jun-young
▲ Best Actress in a Daily Drama/One-Act Play: Oh Seung-ah, Uhm Hyun-kyung
▲ Excellence Award for Actor in a Daily Drama/One-Act Play: Moon Ji-hoo
▲ Excellence Award for Actress in a Daily Drama/One-Act Play: Oh Se-young
▲ Best Supporting Actor: Jo Jae-yoon
▲ Best Supporting Actress: Kim Mi-kyung
▲ Best New Actor: Lee Ga-seop, Heo Nam-joon
▲ Best New Actress: Chae Won-bin
▲ Best Actor Award: Byun Yo-han, Kim Nam-joo
▲ Best Character Award: Jung Sang-hoon, Kwon Hae-hyo
▲ Best Couple Award: Yoo Yeon-seok & Chae Soo-bin
▲ Achievement Award: Choi Bool-am
▲ Special Appreciation Award: Late Kim Soo-mi

Kim Ji-won, Ten Asia Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr