The film “The King's Warden” leads the film categories at this year’s Baeksang Arts Awards with the most nominations.
In the 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards film division announced on the 13th, "The King's Warden" scored nods for Best Film, Best Director (Jang Hang-jun), Best Actor (Yoo Hae-jin), Best Supporting Actor (Yoo Ji-tae), Best Supporting Actress (Jeon Mi-do), Best New Actor (Park Ji-hoon), and the Gucci Impact Award.
Among all films, it earned the highest number of nominations―fitting for a mega-hit. Released on February 4 last year, the movie drew 10 million viewers in 31 days, 15 million in 50 days, and 16 million in 61 days. As of the 11th, its cumulative audience hit 16.28 million, pushing past "Extreme Job" to claim No. 2 on the all-time box office chart.
With this being the first awards show since its record-smashing run, all eyes are on how many trophies it will take home. Fans are especially watching the beloved duo: Yoo Hae-jin as “Eom Heung-do” and Park Ji-hoon as “Lee Hong-wi.” They ignited a “Danjong syndrome” across the film scene in the first half of the year, so their chances look strong.
Yoo Hae-jin has won Best Supporting Actor before but has never taken Best Actor. This could be his moment. Park Ji-hoon, whose performance in "The King's Warden" marks his feature film debut, is also a frontrunner for Best New Actor. The pair said goodbye in tears on-screen―will we see them smiling side by side at the ceremony?
The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards will be held on May 8 at 7:50 p.m. KST at COEX D Hall in Seoul.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)