Baek Byung-yeul is a journalist at The Korea Times focused on cultural content, including films and cultural events in South Korea. You can contact him at baekby@koreatimes.co.kr to share your insights.
Reporter's notebook Blue Dragon Awards miss the mark, focusing on scandal instead of cinema
Kim Won-kuk, third from right, CEO of Hive Media Corp., the production company behind the 2023 film, "12.12: The Day," speaks after winning the Best Film award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards held at KBS Hall in Seoul, Friday. From left are the film's director Kim Sung-su, actors Lee Sung-min, Park Hae-jun, the CEO, Hwang Jung-min and Jung Woo-sung. Yonhap
By Baek Byung-yeul
As the curtain fell on the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards on Friday night, this reporter couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment because what should have been a celebration of cinematic excellence had instead become a tabloid spectacle, centered around actor Jung Woo-sung's personal scandal.
Since the inception of the Academy Awards in 1929, film awards have played a crucial role in recognizing artistic merit and fostering the growth of cinema as both an art form and a major entertainment industry. Korea, too, embraced this tradition with the establishment of its own prestigious awards, including the Blue Dragon Film Awards in 1963.
However, this year's Blue Dragon Awards seemed to have lost sight of its raison d'etre.
The anticipation surrounding the event was not about the films or filmmakers, but whether Jung would make his first public appearance since his scandal broke on Nov. 24. The organizers' decision to withhold information about Jung's attendance until the last minute appeared to be a blatant attempt to generate buzz, prioritizing sensationalism over the event itself.
The aftermath of the ceremony was equally disappointing.
Instead of discussions about the winning films and actors, media outlets were flooded with analyses of Jung's expressions, his statements, and his colleagues' reactions.
Perhaps even more frustrating was the glaring omission of any tribute to the late actor Kim Soo-mi, who passed away in October at the age of 75.
Despite her significant contributions to both television and film, including memorable roles in films like "Marrying the Mafia" series and "Barefoot Ki-Bong," her legacy went unacknowledged during the ceremony. This was in contrast to the Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards held in November, where the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yu In-chon honored Kim.
The responsibility for this misstep lies not only with the organizers but also with the attendees. None of the award recipients mentioned Kim’s name in their speeches, further emphasizing the event's disconnect from the broader film community and its history.
The enthusiastic response to Jung's statement about taking responsibility for his child born out of wedlock also painted a troubling picture. It suggested that the awards had become an event only for the film industry's inner circle rather than considering the perspectives of fans and the industry as a whole.
As a result, even avid film fans might not be aware that "12.12: The Day" won the Best Film award or that Jang Jae-hyun, director of "Exhuma," took home the Best Director award.
It's worth remembering that the first Academy Awards in 1929 was a modest 15-minute event attended by just 270 industry insiders. Through the dedication and efforts of American filmmakers, it evolved into one of the most prestigious film awards globally.
As we reflect on this year's Blue Dragon Film Awards, it's clear that Korean filmmakers and industry officials need to reconnect with the true purpose of film awards. These events should serve as a platform to celebrate exceptional filmmaking, honor the filmmakers and pay tribute to those who have shaped the industry. Only by refocusing on these core values can film awards genuinely fulfill their role in nurturing and advancing the film industry.