Actor Jo Jung-seok lifted his first trophy at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards.
The '61st Baeksang Arts Awards,' held on 5th at the COEX D Hall in Gangnam, Seoul, is the only comprehensive popular culture arts awards ceremony in South Korea that covers television, film, and theater. Jo Jung-seok won the Best Actor award in the film category for 'Pilot,' marking his first trophy after his debut at the 'Baeksang Arts Awards' and achieving the highest honor.
As this was his first win at the 'Baeksang Arts Awards,' Jo Jung-seok noted, "Thank you so much. When I receive an award, I think of all the grateful people who come to mind. I would like to thank all the directors, actors, and staff who joyfully created the film 'Pilot' together with me," expressing his appreciation for the award.
He continued, "Personally, this work was a challenge. I had concerns like 'Can I do this well?' and 'Is this a reckless challenge?' I worked with colleagues, believing in one another, and it feels rewarding to be recognized, rather than being a reckless challenge. That is why I wanted this award even more," and he added, "I am also grateful to all the audience who loved the film 'Pilot' for confirming that the challenge was not reckless but successful."
Finally, Jo Jung-seok concluded with an emotional statement, saying, "I love my family very much. I will continue to strive to be an actor who challenges myself."
Jo Jung-seok perfectly portrayed two characters, from the star pilot Han Jung-woo to the re-employed Han Jung-mi, in the film 'Pilot,' which attracted 4.7 million viewers last year, creating a summer box office sensation. With unrestrained comedic acting and delicate emotional performances, he led the film. Particularly, his nuanced acting in portraying Han Jung-woo's predicament garnered significant acclaim for enhancing the film's completeness.
In this way, Jo Jung-seok, who captivated audiences with his mesmerizing performances last summer, earning the praise that 'Jo Jung-seok is the genre itself,' has recently achieved a series of awards, including the Presidential Citation at the 15th Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, the Best Actor award at the 11th Korea Film Producers Association Awards, and now the Best Actor award in the film category at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards, solidifying his position as a leading figure in Korean cinema.
Meanwhile, Jo Jung-seok is expected to captivate theaters again this summer with the upcoming release of the film 'Zombie Daughter' (My daughter who has turned into a zombie) scheduled for July.
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