Hyun Bin, Lee Byung-hun win Paeksang awards

Actors Hyun Bin and Lee Byung-hun won the top prize at the 2011 Paeksang Arts Awards on Thursday at Kyung Hee University in Hoegi-dong, eastern Seoul.

Heartthrob Hyun was awarded the grand prize in the TV category for his role in the hit SBS TV series “Secret Garden.” Hyun became one of the nation’s most popular actors after he played the main character, an obnoxious but cute department store owner, in the drama.

Nominating him for the the grand prize, the awards show aired a video message from Hyun at his military camp in Baekryeong Island. The actor could not make it to the awards because he is currently undergoing his military service. He joined the Marine Corps in March.

“I am so happy to be one of the nominees along with great actors. Though I cannot be there right now, I wish today will be a successful day for our staff and actors,” said Hyun in the video.

“I am at Baekryeong Island, the northernmost area. I will carry out my duties faithfully here in the northwestern region, and will be faithful to our people and the Marine Corps,” he added.

Lee took home the grand prize with the movie “I Saw the Devil” which was released last year. He starred as a vengeful agent at the National Intelligence Service.

“Thank you for giving this prize to me, who is not even tall,” said Lee, jokingly.

“Choi Min-sik, who taught me what kind of energy actors can show, is who first comes to my mind. I ascribe this honor to director Kim Ji-woon who gave me advice as a friend and as an enemy, and all the staff and actors,” he said.

Lee will be leaving for the U.S. for the shooting of the sequel of the movie “G.I. Joe” which opened 2009. Lee, who will be continuing his role of Storm Shadow, said that he wanted to “show them that Asian actors can do more than do nice kicks.”

The Best Actor and Actress awards for the movie category went to Ha Jeong-woo of the film “The Yellow Sea” and to Chinese actress Tang Wei of “Late Autumn.” In the TV category, the prizes went to actor Jeong Bo-seok of the SBS TV series “Giant” and actress Han Hyo-joo of MBC’s “Dongi.”

By Park Min-young  (claire@heraldcorp.com)