Tearful Tribute: Remembering Lee Sun Kyun at Baeksang Arts Awards

Actress Chun Woo Hee paid tribute to the late Lee Sun Kyun.

On May 7, the 60th Baeksang Art Awards was held at the COEX in Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Chun appeared on stage as a presenter for the Screenplay Award (Scenario Award) in the film category.

The Screenplay Award nominees included Killing Romance and Sleep, which featured the late Lee Sun Kyun, as well as The Hill of Secrets, Exhuma, and 12.12: The Day.

Chun Woo Hee, in mentioning the late Lee Sun Kyun, said, “The acting of our senior in the works will remain in our hearts forever.”

The Screenplay Award went to director Yoo Jae Seon for Sleep. Kim Hee Kyung, the PD of Louis Pictures, who accepted the award on behalf of Yoo Jae Seon who could not attend the ceremony, expressed her gratitude to all the actors and staff who trusted in the power of the screenplay and committed to the work. She added, “Thank you to Jung Yoo Mi and Lee Sun Kyun for adding credibility to the story with their wonderful acting.”

Lee Sun Kyun died last year while under police investigation for about two months on suspicion of drug administration. At the time, Lee had requested a private investigation, but it was not granted.

Subsequently, cultural artists including director Bong Joon Ho issued a statement titled “The Demands of Cultural Artists Facing the Death of Actor Lee Sun Kyun,” calling for a thorough investigation into the leak of the investigation information.

Lee Sun Kyun was also acknowledged at the 96th Academy Awards held in March, attracting attention. At the time, the ceremony included a moment to remember and honor those in the film industry who had passed away. Lee’s image appeared on the screen at the awards venue.

“Seeing Lee Sun Kyun at the Oscars makes my heart heavy,” critic Lee Dong Jin shared, paying tribute.