Han Ji-min and Lee Je-hoon to Host 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards
Sep 24, 2024
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According to the Blue Dragon Film Awards Secretariat on the 24th, Han Ji-min and Lee Je-hoon have been confirmed as MCs for the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards, to be held on November 29 at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul.
The film industry had been keenly watching to see who would take over as the face of the Blue Dragon Film Awards after Kim Hye-soo's "Beautiful Farewell" at last year's ceremony. The secretariat stated, "It is an honor to have Han Ji-min and Lee Je-hoon, who will help write a new chapter in the history of the Blue Dragon Film Awards. We are committed to the growth of Korean cinema alongside these two talented actors."
Han Ji-min, who began her acting career as the young Min Soo-yeon (played by Song Hye-kyo) in the 2003 SBS drama 'All In', made her big-screen debut in the 2005 film 'Blue Swallow'. She later found her breakout role in the 2018 film 'Miss Baek', following performances in movies like 'Detective K: Secret of the Virtuous Widow', 'The Fatal Encounter', and 'Salut D’Amour'. In 'Miss Baek', she portrayed Baek Sang-ah, a woman scarred by trauma from sexual abuse. Tackling a difficult role that involved smoking and cursing, Han Ji-min boldly chose a project that many actresses had avoided, and her choice proved successful. She won Best Actress at the 39th Blue Dragon Film Awards in 2018. Now, she follows Kim Hye-soo as the MC of the prestigious awards, taking on the mantle as the new 'Blue Dragon Goddess.'
Reflecting on her new role, Han Ji-min said, "Considering Kim Hye-soo's iconic presence at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, it was unimaginable for me to succeed her as MC. I deeply respect Kim Hye-soo and her legacy, and I will strive to uphold the tradition and dignity she has established."
Han also shared that she accepted the role with some pressure but wanted to contribute to the Korean film industry, which is currently going through challenging times. She hopes the Blue Dragon Film Awards will once again be a place to deliver messages of hope and support to filmmakers and audiences alike.
Actor Lee Je-hoon will co-host the Blue Dragon with Han Ji-min, also ushering in a new chapter. Lee made his debut in the 2006 short film 'Truth, Litmus' and became a breakout star in the Korean independent film scene with his role in the 2011 film 'Bleak Night', for which he won Best New Actor at the 32nd Blue Dragon Film Awards. The film, which depicted a father’s journey to uncover the truth behind his son's mysterious death, became a sensation, attracting over 20,000 viewers—the first independent film to do so. Lee Je-hoon, who portrayed the troubled son, Ki-tae, garnered significant praise for his performance.
Since then, Lee has demonstrated his versatility in films such as 'The Front Line', 'Architecture 101', 'Anarchist from Colony', 'I Can Speak', and 'Escape', solidifying his reputation as one of Chungmuro's leading actors. His appointment as co-host of this year’s Blue Dragon Film Awards further cements his stature.
Lee Je-hoon said, "When I was approached to host the Blue Dragon Film Awards, a ceremony that has been beloved by so many for such a long time, I was overwhelmed. As an actor and a passionate lover of cinema, it is an incredible honor to host an event I have admired since I was young. I will do my utmost to ensure the event runs smoothly and does justice to the legacy built by senior actors like Kim Hye-soo."
This year's Blue Dragon Film Awards will be especially festive, featuring a lineup of films that have surpassed 10 million viewers. Three films, including 'Exhuma' (11.9 million admissions), 'THE ROUNDUP : PUNISHMENT 4' (11.5 million admissions), and '12.12: The Day' (11.8 million admissions), have already crossed this mark. Additionally, 'I, THE EXECUTIONER', released on the 13th, is also steadily gaining momentum at the box office. All eyes are on which stars will shine at this year's Blue Dragon Film Awards.
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