Korean Film Directors Guild (DGK), Joong Hee Kim, Man-dae Bong, and Hahng Joon Jang to Host ‘Three-MC’ Directors’ Cut Awards

‘The 24th Directors’ Cut Awards,’ held on Tuesday, May 19 at 6:00 p.m., will honor film and drama series directed by DGK Regular and Associate Member directors that were announced between April 1, 2025, and March 31, 2026. 

For the first time in history, this awards show will bring together Bong Man-dae and Jang Hahng Joon—who symbolize the Directors’ Cut Awards—and Director Joong Hee Kim, who delivered witty hosting at the past ceremony, to build a ‘Three-MC’ format. Moving beyond the previous way it was run with the Bong Man-dae–Jang Hahng Joon duo or a combination of Joong Hee Kim and Bong Man-dae, the event plans to maximize the unique energy and fun of the ceremony through the synergy of the three directors.

Kicking off in 1998 as an event hosted by the organizing group ‘Directors’ Cut—A Gathering of Young Film Directors,’ the Directors’ Cut Awards have continued the tradition of an informal yet fun awards ceremony under its distinctive motto, ‘Eat, drink, and give awards,’ even after shifting to an event hosted by DGK in 2017. 

The method of selecting nominees and winners through direct voting by Korean film directors is also a unique identity of the Directors’ Cut Awards. 

Awards categories are divided into creative categories—Director of the Year, Screenplay Award, New Director Award, and Vision Award (Independent Film Award)—as well as acting categories: Best Actor/Actress and New Actor/Actress. The acting awards focus purely on performance itself, without distinguishing between lead and supporting roles, while the New Actor/Actress awards aim to spotlight new faces the public has not yet seen. The series categories, newly introduced in 2022, will also be covered in even greater depth this year.

The 24th Directors’ Cut Awards will be held on May 19 at 6:00 p.m. 

INFORMATION

24th  DIRECTOR’S CUT AWARDS

24th Directors’ Cut Awards 

O Date & time: May 19, 2026 (Tue) at 6:00 p.m.

O Organizer: DGK (Korean Film Directors Guild)

O Host: Directors’ Cut Committee

O Sponsors: Kyobo Life, Plus M Entertainment

O Partners: Ideals, Paradise City, Kinmuller, North Face, Cheongjeongwon, Nutri, Evercollagen, Marie Claire, Peojim, Innoen, Taolkun, Changpibu-gwa, Saempyo Chaocha(i), ODE, Wine Iner Glass, Squeeze Beer