The 27th Busan International Film Festival, which will be held for 10 days from October 5 to 14, has appointed actor Lee Youngae and actor Kim Sangkyung as jury members for the ‘Actor & Actress of the Year Award.’ The Actor & Actress of the Year Award is presented to one new male actor and one new female actor for their outstanding performance in Korean independent feature films nominated in the New Currents and the Korean Cinema Today - Vision sections. It adds special meaning to the fact that the senior actors representing Korean cinema give the award to the new actors who will shine in the Korean film industry in the future.

Established in 2014, the Actor & Actress of the Year Award honored the following actors, starting with Choi Wooshik for Set Me Free (2014) and Cho Soohyang for Wild Flowers (2015) in 2014, Lee Juwon for ALONE (2016) and Jang Sun for Communication & Lies (2017) in 2015, Koo Kyohwan and Lee Minji for Jane (2017) in 2016, Park Jonghwan for Hit the Night (2018) and Jeon Yeobeen for After My Death (2018) in 2017, Lee Juyeong for Maggie (2019) and Choi Heeseo for Our Body (2019) in 2018, Kim Junhyung and Mun Hyein for The Education (2020) in 2019, Lim Seongmi for FIGHTER (2021) in 2020, and Kwon Daham for Through My Midwinter (2021) and Im Jeeho for The Apartment with Two Women (2021) last year. 

Actor Lee Youngae has showcased a range of acting skills with the best star quality and unconventional challenges through many films, including One Fine Spring Day (2001), Sympathy for Lady Vengeance (2005), and Bring Me Home (2019), entertaining the audience with new charms. She was previously appointed as the jury member for the International Competition section at the 56th Berlin International Film Festival and is also expected to interact with the audience through the ‘Actors’ House’ program at the Busan International Film Festival this year.

Actor Kim Sangkyung, who has continued his acting career with his latest drama series, Poong, the Joseon Psychiatrist (2022), has built a solid filmography based on his outstanding acting skills that have led various films to light, including Director Bong Joonho’s Memories of Murder (2003), The Discloser (2018), and The Vanished (2018). He has been beloved by the audience for many years for his versatile acting abilities and the characters he has portrayed across all genres. 

Each of the winners of the award will be granted a cash prize of 5,000,000 KRW, which will be presented by the jury members, Lee Youngae and Kim Sangkyung, in person, at the BIFF Closing Ceremony on October 14 (Fri).