Closer to Heaven Couple Win Best Acting Nods

Ha Ji-won winner of the Best Actress Award

By Lee Hyo-won
Staff Reporter

Kim Myung-min and Ha Ji-won, who starred as a married couple in Park Jin-pyo's tearjerker ``Closer to Heaven,'' were named Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, at the Blue Dragon Awards, Wednesday evening, in Yeouido, Seoul.

``I'm not sure if I deserve this award. I am thankful, though, as I have to try twice as hard because of my less-than-perfect acting abilities,'' said Kim, who had previously made headlines for shedding 20 kilograms to play a terminally ill patient. Ever since his breakthrough role in the TV drama ``Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-shin,'' he has been sweeping various Best Actor awards for characters he played on both the big and small screen.

Kim Myung-min winner of the Best Actor Award

The 37-year-old, eyes welling with tears, went on to thank his co-star Ha: ``I was able to finish the movie because of you and I'm so thankful for how you always took care of me.''

Ha, who was nominated for the first time in her 10-year acting career, shed tears as she accepted the honor. ``Thank you so much,'' said the 31-year-old, adding how surprised she was that such a thing could happen to her.

``I am a really greedy actress on the set but I am never greedy when it comes to awards. But when I accepted the Popularity award earlier I did yearn a little for this prize,'' she said, having received the Honored Popularity Award alongside Lee Byung-hun, Ha Jung-woo and Choi Kang-hee.

She also thanked her co-star: ``I think I stand here today thanks to Kim Myung-min who helped me concentrate on my role though he became sicker day by day on the set.''

The tsunami blockbuster ``Haeundae,'' starring Ha, won the Popular Movie Award, having become one of the highest grossing movies in Korean box office history. The film also won the Technical Award for its special effects.

Meanwhile, Bong Joon-ho's thriller ``Mother'' swept prizes, including Best Film. Jin Gu took home the Best Supporting Actor Award. He said he wanted to share the honor with the director, who was unable to attend the event.

Choi Cheol-su and Park Dong-sun won Best Lighting for their work on ``Mother.'' The film premiered to critical acclaim in the Cannes Film Festival's non-competitive section.

Kim Hae-sook was recognized as Best Supporting Actress for Park Chan-wook's ``Thirst,'' which won the Jury Prize at Cannes. Jo Yeong-ok, who provided the score for the vampire movie, won the award for Best Music.

The Best New Actor and New Actress Awards went to ``Breathless'' stars Yang Ik-june and Kim Kkobbi, respectively. Kim shared her award with ``Scandal Makers'' starlet Park Bo-young. Kang Hyeong-cheol, who helmed the mid-budget comedy, won the Best New Director Award.

Kim Yong-hwa was named Best Director for the hit sports movie ``Take-Off,'' whose Park Hyeon-cheol won the Best Cinematography Award for his work in the film.

Kim Han-gyeol won the Best Short Film Award for ``Gookgyeong,'' and the Best Art Direction Award went to Jo Hwa-seong and Choi Hyeon-seok for the period piece ``Private Drama.''

``Possession's'' Lee Yong-ju was recognized for Best Original Screenplay while late actress Jang Jin-young, who died of cancer earlier this year, received the Special Award.

hyowlee@koreatimes.co.kr