Actor Park Bo-young. The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards.

The Baeksang acceptance speeches by ‘Unknown Seoul’ star Park Bo-young and director Park Shin-woo left a deep impression on many viewers.

At the ‘62nd Baeksang Arts Awards’ held on May 8 at COEX Hall D in Gangnam-gu, Seoul, ‘Unknown Seoul’ star Park Bo-young won the Best Acting Award in the television category, beating formidable nominees such as Kim Go-eun, Park Ji-hyun, Shin Hye-sun, and Lim Yoon-a.

Taking the stage, Park Bo-young delivered a sincere acceptance speech in a trembling voice. She said, “I dislike competition so much, and there have been many times when proving my value and usefulness at every moment felt overwhelming and hard,” and, “At such times, seeing actors beside me who are so skilled made me not want to fall behind and made me want to do better, perhaps a rough-edged desire not to lose, and the days I worked hard with that feeling seem to have made me who I am now.”

She went on to say, “I want to express deep respect and gratitude to the many actors who became constructive competitors and, at times, pacesetters.”

Recalling when she chose the project, she confided, “With great ambition I chose ‘Unknown Seoul,’ and until filming began I worried every day and even regretted it at times, thinking ‘With what confidence and courage did I choose this work?’, ‘Can I really do well?’ Each time I read the script, courage I had not had arose.”

Finally, Park Bo-young said, “To the many deer and hermit crabs of the world: yesterday is over, tomorrow is far away, and since today is still unknown, let us live today well,” leaving a deep resonance with both those on site and viewers alike.

Director Park Shin-woo. The 62nd Baeksang Arts Awards.

On the same day, ‘Unknown Seoul’ director Park Shin-woo, who won the Directing Award in the television category, also drew empathy from viewers.

Director Park said, “We live in a world where, if you are deemed useless, you are weeded out, but TV dramas should exist for those who have nowhere to lean, are lonely, have no time to go anywhere, and cannot pay to watch something,” and added, “I believe that existing for those people is the ‘usefulness of drama.’”

As their heartfelt acceptance speeches were shared, empathy and words of support continued online.

Netizens responded, “Park Bo-young's trembling-voiced remarks seem to have completed ‘Unknown Seoul’,” “It was a drama that offered great comfort in difficult times,” and “At the end of an exhausting day, I watch the drama and gain the strength to live tomorrow,” among other reactions.