An award named after broadcaster Hong Seok-cheon is being established 25 years after his coming out.
On the 16th, the Seoul International Pride Film Festival (SIPFF, executive chair Kim Jo-kwang-soo) announced that it will establish the Korean short film competition acting award "Hong Seok-cheon Pride Award" starting this year.
Hong Seok-cheon is the most famous LGBTQ actor in Korea and marks the 25th anniversary of his coming out this year. To commemorate this, the Seoul International Pride Film Festival is establishing the "Hong Seok-cheon Pride Award" that he sponsors.
The "Hong Seok-cheon Pride Award" is an acting award given to an actor who delivers an outstanding performance in the Seoul International Pride Film Festival's Korean short film competition institutional sector, and Hong Seok-cheon will personally sponsor the prize money. Hong Seok-cheon previously donated the 5 million won prize he received at the 5th Pride Gala as a fund, and he said he will continue to sponsor 1 million won each year as prize money going forward.
This award, personally sponsored by Hong Seok-cheon, the most widely known LGBTQ actor in Korea, is historically significant for domestic film festivals as the first award to bear the name of an LGBTQ actor. His intention is not merely sponsorship but also "a pledge of solidarity from a senior actor for the next generation."
In September 2000, Hong Seok-cheon became the first South Korean entertainer to publicly come out, becoming a symbolic figure who led changes in Korean society's perceptions of LGBTQ people. Beloved for his role "Ppe-a-song" in the sitcom "Three Men, Three Women," he faced difficulties including a halt in broadcasting activities after coming out, but later returned as a gay character in the drama "Complete Love," establishing himself as a sincere actor.
He has recently been introducing new actors through his YouTube channel "Hong Seok-cheon's jewelry box," and has been actively nurturing juniors by discovering LGBTQ broadcasters. His sponsorship of this acting award is also an extension of those efforts.
Hong Seok-cheon said, "If my coming out as an actor became a small spark for change in Korean society, now I want to pass that spark on to the next generation," and added, "I hope this award becomes not just an 'acting award' but an award that celebrates courage and diversity."
The 15th Seoul International Pride Film Festival, a stage of solidarity showcasing 114 queer films from 37 countries worldwide, including opening film "Phillian" directed by Harry Lyton and closing film "Light" directed by Tom Tykwer, will be held from Nov. 6 to Nov. 12 at CGV Piccadilly 1958.
[Photo] OSEN DB, provided by the Seoul International Pride Film Festival.
[OSEN]