On May 7, KST, the 60th Baeksang Arts Awards took place at COEX in Gangnam, Seoul. The event brought A-list actors under the same roof to celebrate TV, film, and theatre together.

Actress Chun Woo Hee, best known for her roles in the K-drama Be Melodramatic and the movie Unlocked, presented the Best Screenplay Award (Film) at the ceremony. While presenting the nominations, the actress paid homage to the late actor Lee Sun Kyun.

Chun Woo Hee at the “60th Baeksang Awards” | FMKorea

The nominations, which were presented on the screen, included two of Lee’s movies, Killing Romance and Sleep. After the montage was over, Chun Woo Hee took a moment to show respect to the actor.

Lee Sun Kyun | @hoduent/Instagram

I can see the late Lee Sun-kyun in two of the nominees. His acting in the works will remain in my heart forever.

—Chun Woo Hee

The director and writer of Sleep, Jason Yu, won the prestigious award and conveyed his thanks through a video message. In his acceptance speech, Yu also mentioned Lee Sun Kyun for his contribution to the project.

Both of these artists mentioning Lee on the public stage is a bigger deal than it might appear to be. After Lee Sun Kyun’s sudden death in 2023, it was not easy for the artist fraternity to even mourn him openly due to the public’s negative reaction. The public opinion about Lee, an otherwise superstar in his own right, drastically changed after he was alleged to be a VIP at an adult entertainment bar and was embroiled in accusations of drug abuse. During the 2023 SBS Drama Awards, actor Lee Je Hoon faced quite intense criticism for so much as alluding to Lee Sun Kyun in his acceptance speech.

…Today has been extra painful. I never got to cross paths with him on a show, and I only got to spend a split second with him here and there. But I watched him build his career, and I dreamed of becoming an actor to walk the path he walked. I’ve always thought of him as a role model, and I want to follow in his footsteps. So I’d like to share this award with him.

May he rest in peace.

— Lee Je Hoon

The situation, however, seems to have mellowed down considerably after more industry people came together to seek justice for Lee Sun Kyun, whom they felt was a victim of a botched police investigation. You can read more about it here.

 His movie won an award.