'Concrete Utopia' wins big at Grand Bell Awards

Producer Byun Seung-min of the disaster thriller film “Concrete Utopia” speaks after receiving the Best Film prize during the 59th Grand Bell Awards, held at Gyeonggi Arts Center in Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday. Screen captured from YouTube

Disaster thriller “Concrete Utopia” notched a total of six awards at the 59th Grand Bell Awards, also known as the Daejong Film Awards.

A poster for the film “Concrete Utopia” / Courtesy of Lotte Entertainment

During the awards ceremony, held at Gyeonggi Arts Center in Gyeonggi Province, Wednesday, the film won Best Film, Best Visual Effects, Best Art Direction and Best Sound Editing. Its actors Lee Byung-hun and Kim Sun-young took Best Actor and Best Supporting Actress, respectively.

“I’m grateful for the director who diligently created such a wonderful piece,” the film’s producer Byun Seung-min said in an acceptance speech for the Best Film during the ceremony. “The film festival will be remembered as a memorable place for praise and encouragement and at the same time, for giving a chance to see someone's roots. I will continue to remember my roots and strive to make good works. Thank you."

Led by director Um Tae-hwa, the action blockbuster film, which was released in August, follows residents of the sole surviving apartment building in Seoul hit by a massive earthquake. Amid the chaos, Young-tak (Lee) teams up with a married couple ― played by Park Seo-joon and Park Bo-young ― to protect their loved ones against outsiders.

The Best Director award went to Ryoo Seung-wan for his crime action film “Smugglers.” Actress Kim Seo-hyung won Best Actress for her performance in the drama film “Greenhouse,” and actor Oh Jung-se won Best Supporting Actor with his role in the comedy film “Cobweb.”

Disney+ series also saw a big win at the awards, taking home Best Director in series with its original series “Big Bet,” led by director Kang Yoon-sung. The series’ lead actor, Choi Min-sik, won the Best Actor among series productions.

The platform’s hit series “Moving” won the Best Series, as well as the Best Actress in Series with its lead actor Han Hyo-joo.