'the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards' ended six days ago, but online debate over actor Lee Sung-min's acceptance remarks shows no sign of cooling.
at the Baeksang Arts Awards ceremony held on the 8th, Lee Sung-min, who won best supporting actor for the film 'There's nothing to be done', took the stage and left a candid, perhaps overly candid, acceptance speech.
the issue was his reference to the earlier announced best supporting actress result. he opened by saying, "When Yeom Hye-ran was a nominee, she was so nervous. i even cursed when Hye-ran didn't win," in a preface. it was an unvarnished expression of regret that his colleague Yeom Hye-ran, who worked with him in the same film, had tasted defeat. he added, "next was me, so thank you."
immediately after Lee Sung-min's remarks, online communities heated up. judging by his tone and expression, it seemed clear he was expressing embarrassment at being the sole winner while Yeom Hye-ran did not win, rather than dissatisfaction with the winner Shin Sae-kyeong. but criticism grew that "was it necessary to use the phrase 'i cursed' in front of Shin Sae-kyeong, who had already received an award?"
it might have been a frank remark toward a colleague, but critics said it was disrespectful to the award recipient Shin Sae-kyeong, who should have been congratulated. a remark tossed out as a joking expression of regret grew into a 'inappropriate comment' as time passed, fueling the controversy.
some argue that the problem lay in Yeom Hye-ran and director Park Chan-wook adding further comments, but it is also clear they were trying to lighten the mood. Yeom Hye-ran, who appeared as the presenter for the broadcasting supporting actress award, made a self-deprecating joke, "hello, i'm Yeom Hye-ran who just lost." this is the kind of 'cool' wit often seen from actors who didn't win at Hollywood awards, and it appeared aimed at easing the tension that Lee Sung-min's remark could have created.
director Park Chan-wook, who won best film, also chimed in. he said, "seeing this result, i really feel convinced that a fair judging process took place. of course Yeom Hye-ran won't agree, but understand. didn't Shin Sae-kyeong do very well too," showing an effort to balance his regret over a team member's loss with acknowledgment of the winner's merit.
in the end, this controversy became a case in which a somewhat imprudent bit of levity from Lee Sung-min spiraled out of control. affection for a colleague may have led him to momentarily overlook the weight of the public setting of an awards ceremony. however, it is necessary to guard against dragging the matter into denigrating the actor's entire character or personality. considering the scene's atmosphere and context, while disappointment over the slip may remain, there is also a strong reaction that the barrage of criticism has been excessively harsh.
[photo] OSEN DB, the present company
[OSEN]