By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Staff Reporter
Top Korean fashion designer Andre Kim gave recognition to Korea's most beautiful and popular stars during his 2007 Best Star Awards at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul, Monday evening.
Actress Lee Young-ae, who starred in the hit MBC drama ``Daejanggeum" (Jewel in the Palace), received the grand prize for helping lead the Korean Wave or ``hallyu'' around Asia.
Since 2004, Andre Kim has handed out Best Star Awards to top stars in TV, film and sports who have helped boost Korea's profile around the world.
This year, award winners included Kwon Sang-woo, one of the most popular Korean actors around Asia; Lee Jun-ki, who rose to fame for his role in the hit film ``King and the Clown;" and Park Hae-il, who starred in the recent films ``Paradise Murdered" and ``The Host."
Kwon, whose TV dramas such as ``Stairways to Heaven" are widely watched around Asia, attracted dozens of Japanese fans to the event.
Stars of the SBS drama ``Love Story in Harvard,'' Kim Tae-hee and Kim Rae-won were briefly reunited on stage when they received their awards.
Also given Best Star Awards were actresses Song Yoon-a, Lee Mi-yeon, Song Yu-ri, Lee Bo-young, Han Eun-jung and Go Ah-ra; and actors Lee Wan, Joo Dong-hyeok and Cho Hyun-jae. All the awardees wore beautiful gowns and stylish suits specially designed by Andre Kim.