Let’s take a look back at the few Korean actors who achieved “Daesang”, an award that is considered to be the highest and most prestigious win a Korean celebrity can receive. Here are the nine Grand Prize (Daesang) winners of 2023:
PARK EUN BIN
Woo to the Young to the Woo! Park Eun-bin bagged the Grand Prize “Daesang” award for her performance as Woo Young Woo in ENA’s Extraordinary Attorney Woo (2022) at the prestigious 59th Baeksang Arts Awards last April 28, 2023.
Actress Park Eun-bin displayed an impressive performance as Attorney Woo, an extraordinary girl diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She grew up with a high IQ who is able memorize the books of laws and exercises her remarkable skills as a lawyer in various cases while overcoming discrimination from society.
SONG HYE KYO
A-list star Song Hye-kyo took home the Grand Prize “Daesang” award for her performance as Moon Dong Eun in Netflix’s The Glory (2022-23) at the prestigious 2nd Blue Dragon Series Awards last July 19, 2023.
Song Hye-kyo delivered a powerful performance as Moon Dong Eun, a lead character whose life depicts the face of trauma resulted from childhood violence and abandonment. She spends years carefully plotting to ruin the lives of her tormentors, becoming one of the most talked-about drama characters for the year as she represents victims of bullying.
CHOI MINSIK
Veteran actor Choi Minsik won the Golden Bird Prize in the Individual category for his performance as Cha Mu Sik in Disney+ series, Big Bet (2022-23) at the 18th Seoul International Drama Awards last September 21, 2023.
Notably, Choi Minsik breathed the character and turbulent life of Cha Mu Sik, a legendary king of the casino in the Philippines who gets tangled in a murder case and faced with the ultimate bet with his life on the line.
LEE SUNG MIN
Veteran actor Lee Sung-min was awarded the Grand Prize “Daesang” trophy for his performance as Kim Taek Rok in Disney+ series, Shadow Detective (2022-23) at the 14th Korea Drama Awards last October 14, 2023.
Remarkably, Lee Sung-min displayed an incredible talent in living the life of Kim Taek Rok, a veteran homicide detective with 30 years of experience who gets framed for murder and returns to hunt down the blackmailer.
LEE JUNHO
Idol-actor Lee Junho received two Grand Prize “Daesang” awards for his performance as Guwon in JTBC’s King The Land (2023), one at the 8th Asia Artist Awards (AAA) on December 14, 2023 and another one at the 9th SEOULCON APAN Star Awards last December 30, 2023.
Lee Junho is the talent who leaves you spellbound. He captivated viewers anew with his character as Guwon, an heir of a luxury hotel who has it all—topnotch education, wealth, and good looks. However, he cannot stand fake smiles and abhors hotel employees who smile a lot or greet him cheerily until he meets the “Best Talent” he calls “Phony Cheon”, turning his dark world bright.
LEE JE HOON
Versatile actor Lee Je-hoon achieved the Grand Prize “Daesang” award for his performance as Kim Do-gi in Taxi Driver 2 (2023) at the SBS Drama Awards last December 29, 2023.
Lee Je-hoon showcased a remarkable range in acting skills as Kim Do-gi, a mysterious taxi driver of Rainbow Taxi Company who plays a criminal hunter, delivering justice and revenge on behalf of victims who were neglected by the law.
KIM TAERI
Award-winning actress Kim Tae-ri also won the Grand Prize “Daesang” award for her performance as Gu San Yeong in Revenant (2023) at the SBS Drama Awards last December 29, 2023.
Kim Tae-ri delivered solid acting skills as Gu San Yeong, a struggling young woman who gets possessed by a demon and gets entangled in mysterious deaths around her after receiving strange belongings from her late father who was a folklore professor.
NAMGOONG MIN
Top actor Namgoong Min was named the Grand Prize “Daesang” winner for his performance as Lee Jang Hyun in My Dearest (2023) at the MBC Drama Awards last December 30, 2023.
Namgoong Min captivated hearts anew with his notable performance as Lee Jang Hyun, a mysterious nobleman with a dark secret who has no interest in romance and vows not to marry anyone. But after getting to know a noblewoman who hopes to love again after a failed marriage, he unexpectedly finds himself attracted to her and opens the door to his heart.
CHOI SOO JONG
Veteran actor Choi Soo-jong bagged the Grand Prize “Daesang” award for his performance as Gang Gam Chan in Korea-Khitan War (2023) at the KBS Drama Awards last December 31, 2023.
Choi Soo-jong impressed the audiences with his role as Gang Gam Chan, the political mentor of King Hyeonjong of Goryeo and the commander-in-chief of the Goryeo army, helping the King win the war against Khitan.
Congratulations to our Daesang winners of 2023!
KORB 