"I remember the days when we used to put up theater posters together, and receiving the grand prize makes me feel deeply moved."
The two actors who used to put up theater posters together became the winners of the 'grand prize' after more than 30 years. The story of actors Yoo Hai Jin and Ryu Seung-ryong.
Yoo Hai Jin and Ryu Seung-ryong won the film sector grand prize and the broadcasting sector grand prize, respectively, at the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards with Gucci held at COEX Hall D in Seoul on the 8th.
The Baeksang Arts Awards, established in 1965 to promote the development of popular culture and the arts in Korea and to boost the morale of artists, marked its 62nd edition this year. Especially this year, as it is the 60th anniversary of Korean musical theater, a musical sector was newly established, bringing together broadcasting, film and theater to unite all areas of popular culture and art, breaking down genre boundaries and becoming a festival that embraces all fields of K-content.
The King's Warden, which drew 16 million viewers, gained momentum by winning the film sector male newcomer award (Park Jihoon), Naver popularity award (Park Jihoon), the Gucci Impact Award and others, and Yoo Hai Jin's winning of the 'grand prize' put the finishing touch on it. Staring at the grand prize trophy, Yoo Hai Jin said with emotion, "This is what the grand prize looks like," and "I expected to win best actor, and when that didn't happen I thought, 'I'm still a bit far off' and told myself to keep going. Then the camera slowly came closer, so I thought they were giving the best film award," he said.
Yoo Hai Jin said, "When I was doing theater I said, 'I want to make a living,' and as I kept going I even won a supporting actor award. I was satisfied with that and decided to just work hard at acting, but then I received such a big award as the grand prize. With The King's Warden bringing life back to theaters, I'm glad people seem to know the rediscovered charm of theaters. It feels like that's leading to Salmokji: Whispering Water, and I'm glad several films received attention," he said.
Ryu Seung-ryong, who is the same age as Yoo Hai Jin, had the honor of winning the broadcasting sector grand prize. Ryu Seung-ryong said, "I remember putting up theater posters with actor Yoo Hai Jin and working part-time at the Jochiwon factory. For the two of us to receive grand prizes like this is deeply moving. Seeing the 'Nanta' performance as well, I recalled my admirable younger self," he said.
Ryu Seung-ryong said, "Manager Kim had many elements that could have been ignored as a drama, but I am grateful to those who confidently opened the stage for it. In the long, flashy title, all the titles are lost and only Kim Nak-soo himself remains; the name is like water that falls. I thought when the water fell it would be over, but it became a stream, a river and then the sea. What allowed Kim Nak-soo to become who he was was his wife Hajin's 'You worked hard, Manager Kim' one phrase," and added, "Saving someone is a single sincere word. I believe that within the assumed certainties given to everyone, if we show a little empathy, forgiveness and courage, it can become a gift to one another."
More than 30 years ago, Yoo Hai Jin and Ryu Seung-ryong, who nurtured their dreams while putting up theater posters, have now become the grand prize winners receiving applause from everyone. For the two, both born in 1970, it was an unforgettable night.
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