keep dreaming, and do action!: 46th Baeksang Arts Awards

Sunday, March 28, 2010

46th Baeksang Arts Awards

Author: Tika | | at 4:02 AM |

The 46th Baeksang Arts Awards were held on March 26 in Seoul, which is one of the biggest awards ceremonies in the industry, in both television and film. Only, this year I’ve got to say my reaction at the winners was mostly: WTF, Baeksangs?

I understand some of the awards. Go Hyun-jung (above) winning Daesang (the Grand Prize) on the television side for Queen Seon-deok, yeah. It was either going to be her or Lee Byung-heon, in my opinion, so it was also understandable that they threw Best Drama to IRIS since it didn’t garner the Daesang — even if I think IRIS is totally not deserving from a purely artistic standpoint. (If you were expecting Chuno to sweep, I’m actually expecting to see it more next year, with Baeksangs being a little behind the current television landscape. Even though Chuno did win for scriptwriting. Now, if it misses next cycle I will be confused.)
I even understand how Jang Geun-seok won a popularity award in film (Itaewon Murder Case) even though you’d think his wildly popular television drama You’re Beautiful would have been a better fit — but the television popularity award went to Lee Seung-gi, understandably. But Yoon-ah for popularity for Cinderella Man? I know I know, that’s a netizen vote and Yoon-ah has her SNSD fanbase, and she led Yoon Eun-hye and Han Hyo-joo in the votes… but given the overall dreariness of Cinderella Man — and the fact that the same fanbase couldn’t buoy that drama’s low ratings — an award for that role just seems weird.
Then there’s Newcomer winner Kim Nam-gil, who had a breakthrough performance in Queen Seon-deok, but he is most certainly NOT a newcomer. Dude made his official industry debut in 2003! He had significant (if supporting) roles in at least five dramas and has at least seven film roles to his credit. Yes, this is a way to give him an award without challenging Lee Byung-heon for Top Excellence, but come now.
Awards are often heavily political, but I didn’t think Baeksangs would produce such puzzling results. I mean, Queen of Housewives for best DIRECTING?
Boo, Baeksangs, BOO.

FILM SECTION
Daesang: Yoon Je-kyun (dir., Haeundae)
Best Picture: Take Off
Director: Jang Hoon (Secret Reunion)
New Director: Lee Ho-jae (The Scam)
Top Excellence, Actor: Ha Jung-woo (Take Off)
Top Excellence, Actress: Ha Ji-won (My Love By My Side)
New Actor: Lee Min-ki (Haeundae)
New Actress: Jo Ahn (Lifting King Kong)
Screenplay: Jang Min-seok (Secret Reunion)
Popularity Award, Actor: Jang Geun-seok (Itaewon Murder Case)
Popularity Award, Actress: Choi Kang-hee (Aeja)
TELEVISION SECTION
Daesang: Go Hyun-jung (Queen Seon-deok, MBC)
Best Drama: IRIS, KBS
Best Cultural Program: Tears of Amazon, MBC
Best Entertainment Program: High Kick Through the Roof, MBC
Director: Go Dong-sun (Queen of Housewives, MBC)
New Director: Yoo Hyun-ki (God of Study, KBS)
Top Excellence, Actor: Lee Byung-heon (IRIS, KBS)
Top Excellence, Actress: Kim Nam-joo (Queen of Housewives, MBC)
New Actor: Kim Nam-gil (Queen Seon-deok, MBC)
New Actress: Hwang Jung-eum (High Kick Through the Roof, MBC)
TV Entertainment Award (Male): Park Sung-ho (Gag Concert, KBS2)
TV Entertainment Award (Female): Kang Yumi, Ahn Young-mi (Gag Concert, KBS2)
Scriptwriting: Chun Sung-il (Chuno, KBS)
Popularity Award, Actor: Lee Seung-gi (Brilliant Legacy, SBS)
Popularity Award, Actress: Yoon-ah (Cinderella Man, MBC)
Special Awards:
Lifetime Achievement: Bae Sam-ryong
In Style Award: Sohn Ye-jin

Kim Ah-joong (Accidental Couple) and comedian Lee Hwi-jae were the MCs for the event. She looks pretty, if a little bridal.

Ha Ji-won (My Love By My Side)

Ha Jung-woo (Take Off) has had a string of hits, and here he is with co-star Kim Ji-suk (who looks crisp in white) and film director Kim Yong-hwa. I’m surprised at how well Kim Ji-suk pulls off the white suit, actually, given that it could so easily look cheesy. I’m actually a fan of his hair, too.