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South Korea's top stars will be gathering at major broadcasting stations next week to honor and celebrate the best performances by actors in TV series this year.
The annual event is held by all three leading networks -- KBS, MBC and SBS -- to look back on the dramas that defined the year with special kudos to the actors who brought them to life.
In the lineup for this year are some of the hottest thespians who gained newfound fame and popularity through their roles, including Song Joong-ki of KBS 2TV megahit series "Descendants of the Sun" and Park Bo-gum of the KBS period romance "Love in the Moonlight."
KBS hit the jackpot in the drama department this year with a string of solid, if not sensational, works. So rich is the list of candidates that there is even talk of creating new award categories to make sure each person who deserves an honor gets one.
This photo shows Song Joong-ki in the KBS 2TV series "Descendants of the Sun." Photo:Yonhap
Song certainly tops the list for the best actor category. The 31-year-old heartthrob took drama fans by storm early this year after playing the tough but hopelessly romantic Army Capt. Yoo Si-jin in the action-romance "Descendants of the Sun." Starring opposite him was the established "hallyu" (Korean pop culture craze) actress Song Hye-kyo, who is also bound to get some kind of recognition from the producers.
In "Love in the Moonlight," Park charmed viewers with his portrayal of a Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) crown prince who falls in love with a fictional woman disguised as a eunuch. The 23-year-old could easily compete for best actor and win the award, meaning he would host the ceremony and walk away with its biggest honor, too. Park is one of the three MCs this year.
Other categories include best performance by an actor or actress in a feature-length drama, in a mid-length drama, in a miniseries and in a daily series, as well as best supporting actor, best new actor and most popular actor.
Contenders are likely to include Kim Woo-bin and Bae Suzy of "Uncontrollably Fond," Lee Sang-yoon and Kim Ha-neul of "On the Way to the Airport," and Lee Dong-gun and Jo Yoon-hee of "The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop."
This photo shows Park Bo-gum in the KBS 2TV series "Love in the Moonlight." Photo:Yonhap
To celebrate its own array of acclaimed series, SBS will bring together Cho Jung-seok of "Jealousy Incarnate," Kim Rae-won of "Doctors," Han Suk-kyu of "Dr. Romantic" and Jun Ji-hyun of "The Legend of the Blue Sea," among other actors.
MBC, which suffered the most of the three in terms of viewership ratings, has Lee Jong-suk and Han Hyo-joo of "W" to boast among its top contenders. Also deserving a nod are Seo In-guk and Nam Ji-hyun of "Shopaholic Louis" and Choi Ji-woo of "Woman with a Suitcase."
Viewers can vote for their favorite drama, actor or couple, or a combination of them, on each network's website in the runup to the ceremonies.
MBC will hold its ceremony at 9:30 p.m. on Dec. 30, followed by KBS at 9:15 p.m. on Dec. 31 and SBS at an undecided time on the same day.
This photo, taken on July 18, 2016, shows Lee Jong-suk and Han Hyo-joo at a promotional press conference for "W" at MBC's headquarters in Seoul. Photo:Yonhap
(Yonhap)
