‘The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards’

Actors Lee Chae-min and Bang Hyo-rin became the recipients of the once-in-a-lifetime Baeksang rookie honor.

At the ‘The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards’ held on the 8th at COEX Hall D in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, the TV division Best New Actor (male and female) awards went to ‘The Tyrant's Chef’ Lee Chae-min and ‘Aema’ Bang Hyo-rin. The presenters were the winners from the previous year, Chu Young-woo and Chae Won-bin, who wished their juniors well on the paths ahead.

Lee Chae-min, who clinched the Male Rookie Award, could not hide his overwhelming emotions even before taking the stage. Having delivered a steady, compelling performance in ‘The Tyrant's Chef’, he began, “To be honest, it is an honor just to be invited to a grand ceremony like Baeksang, and it feels like a dream to receive such a big award like this,” he said in a trembling voice.

He continued, “Director Jang Tae-yu, who believed in me and entrusted me with the role even though I was lacking and a nobody, is a benefactor and like a father to me. And thanks to senior Yoon-awhom I respect and love, and to whom I owe a great debtthe character ‘Lee Heon’ was born. I did nothing,” he said, crediting the production team and colleagues he worked with.

Bang Hyo-rin of ‘Aema’, who earned the honor of the Female Rookie Award, also shared a heartfelt acceptance speech. Bang said, “It was an honor to be able to act as a rookie actor. I thank the director who believed in me and supported me until the end.”

She went on to express respect for the seniors she worked with. Bang said, “By watching senior Lee Ha-nee, I was able to see and learn what it means to be a great actor. And thanks to senior Jin Sun-kyu, who is here with us today, I was able to act with real joy,” she concluded, brimming with emotion.