Jeon Do-yeon’s ‘Possible Love’ sweeps 46th Korean Film Critics Association Awards… New OTT category debuts; which films made the ‘Top 10’?

Return of a master and rise of new talent showcase the Korean film industry’s qualitative growth

Lee Chang-dong’s ‘Possible Love’ won Best Picture at the 46th Korean Film Critics Association Awards. The association officially announced the winners and honorees in each category on the 20th, highlighting the achievements of the Korean film industry.

The most celebrated film at this year’s awards was undoubtedly ‘Possible Love.’ The film won two awards, with its star, Jeon Do-yeon, taking home Best Actress after the film won Best Picture. Critics praised the seamless blend of its deeply layered narrative and the actress’s commanding performance.

Na Hong-jin’s ‘Hope’ also won firm support from critics, claiming three awards. It took Best Director, while Zo In-sung won Best Actor and cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo took Best Cinematography, affirming the film’s high level of craftsmanship.

Acclaimed actors and rising stars stood out in the supporting and newcomer categories. Ye Soo-jung won Best Supporting Actress for ‘Human Meat,’ while Oh Jung-se won Best Supporting Actor for ‘Wild Thing.’ The Best New Actor and Best New Actress awards, each given only once in a performer’s lifetime, went to Park Ji-hoon for ‘The Man Who Lives with the King’ and Seo Soo-bin for ‘The World of Love,’ respectively. Director Byun Sung-hyun won Best Screenplay for ‘Good News.’

The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented to a film professional who has devoted a lifetime to the development of Korean cinema, went to veteran actress Ko Eun-ah (born Lee Kyung-hee). She made her debut in 1965 with ‘Lament of the Orchid’ and helped lead Korean cinema’s golden age in the 1960s and 1970s. A trailblazer, she left her mark in many fields, including opening Busan’s Euna Theater and managing Hapdong Film Company.

The ‘Top 10 Korean Films’ list, which selects works that showed the year’s finest artistic achievements, was also announced.

• ‘Possible Love’

• ‘Hope’

• ‘Assassin(s)’

• ‘The Man Who Lives with the King’

• ‘The World of Love’

• ‘Sal mok ji’

• ‘Good News’

• ‘Human Meat’

• ‘1980 Sabuk’

• ‘Pavane’

The 46th Korean Film Critics Association Awards also introduced a category for online video streaming (OTT) series for the first time, reflecting changes in the media landscape. The inaugural awards went to Shin Hye-sun for Best Actress for ‘Lady Dua’ and Hyun Bin for Best Actor for ‘Made in Korea,’ recognizing their performances on the new platform.

The judging was conducted under strict criteria and covered works released in theaters or made available during the year from last October through this September. The ceremony is scheduled to be held next month on the 4th at the Korean Film Archive (KOFA)’s Cinematheque KOFA in Sangam-dong, Mapo-gu, Seoul.