'Master of the World' Wins Best Film! The 12th Korean Film Producers Association Awards Held Successfully

The '12th Korean Film Producers Association Awards' ceremony honoring the best works and filmmakers that illuminated the Korean film industry in 2025 was successfully held on December 18th (Thursday) at 7 PM at the Jeongdong 1928 Art Center with over 150 industry professionals in attendance.

This meaningful event, which expressed gratitude and encouragement to the key figures who contributed to the Korean film industry over the year, was broadcast live through Max Movie and the Korean Film Producers Association's YouTube channel. Actor Kim Kyu-ri hosted the ceremony smoothly again this year, following last year.

• Best Film: The producers Gu Jeong-a (above), Kim Se-hoon (below) of 〈Master of the World〉 received the award for a story about a human facing the world amidst the chaos of relationships. This film surpassed 170,000 cumulative viewers, ranking first in box office for Korean independent films in 2025.

• Best Director: The award went to director Kwak Kyung-taek for 〈Firefighters〉, which boldly captured the sense of duty and sacrifice of firefighters.

• Best Screenplay: The award was given to writer Im Na-moo for 〈Human and Meat〉, which warmly depicted human life and dignity.

• Best Actor: Actor Lee Byung-hun received the honor for his outstanding performances in 〈The Match〉 and 〈No Way Out〉. Lee Byung-hun was unable to attend the ceremony as he is currently in the United States for film promotions and screenings, but he conveyed his acceptance speech through a video message. He expressed that receiving awards for both films is an extraordinary event in his acting career, stating it is a “memorable and meaningful award” and expressed double the joy.

• Best Actress: Actress Lee Hye-young won the award for her overwhelming charisma as the elderly female killer 'Jo-gak' in 〈The Breakup〉. Lee Hye-young mentioned that she had once been told she was the most avoided actress by producers, but receiving an award from the Producers Association in 2025 made her feel a sense of great change and deep emotion.

• Special Award: The documentary 〈1980 Sabuk〉, which deals with the Sabuk Uprising a month before the Gwangju Democratization Movement on May 18, received this year's special award. (From left: PD Han Kyung-soo, Director Park Bong-nam, Presenter Chairman Kim Dong-ho)

• Best Supporting Actor: Actor Kwon Hae-hyo for 〈Bogota: The Land of Last Chances〉 and 〈Face〉.

• Best Supporting Actress: Actress Park Ji-hyun for 〈Hidden Face〉.

• Best New Director: Director Lee Ran-hee for 〈3rd Year, 2nd Semester〉.

• Best New Director: Director Jang Byeong-ki for 〈When Summer Passes〉.

• Best New Actor: Actor Seo Su-bin for 〈Master of the World〉.

• Best Cinematography: Cinematographer Kim Woo-hyung for 〈No Way Out〉.

• Best Lighting: Lighting Director Kim Min-jae for 〈No Way Out〉 conveyed his acceptance speech through a video.

• Best Art Direction: 〈The Match〉 (Jung Eun-young)

• Best Editing: 〈Firefighters〉 (Jung Ji-eun)

• Best Music: 〈1980 Sabuk〉 (Jung Yong-jin)

• Best Sound: 〈No Way Out〉 (Hong Yoon-sung)

• Best Sound: 〈No Way Out〉 (Kim Seok-won)

• Best Sound: 〈No Way Out〉 (Kim Hyun-jun)

• Best Technical Award: Costume designer Kwak Jeong-ae for 〈Harbin〉.

A Special Celebration Performance Reviving the Emotion of the Film

The ceremony featured two special celebration performances that added to the joy of the awards.

Actor Heo Dong-hee, who played the role of Young-woo, Chang-woo's younger brother in 〈3rd Year, 2nd Semester〉, performed 'Let Me Cry' on guitar, which Chang-woo played with his injured hands from the factory, reviving the emotion.

Actress Lee Da-seul, who is famous not only for her acting but also for her outstanding piano skills, played Bach's 'Sheep May Safely Graze', the OST of the award-winning film 〈Master of the World〉, enhancing the ceremony's prestige.

The ceremony was a meaningful occasion to reflect on and encourage the Korean film industry, and the Korean Film Producers Association will continue to strive to support the development of Korean cinema and the creative activities of filmmakers.