Actor Lee Byung-hun nabbed the Blue Dragon Film Award for best actor for the first time in his 25-year career, and after seven previous nominations, for his role as a smooth-talking gangster in last November’s political thriller “Inside Men.” 

“When I saw the script for “Inside Men,” I wondered if it exaggerated reality,” Lee said in his acceptance speech Friday at the awards ceremony at Kyung Hee University. “But ultimately it seems like reality has surpassed ‘Inside Men,’” he said, referring to the political scandal sweeping Korea involving Choi Soon-sil, under investigation for peddling unauthorized influence in state affairs and coercing funds from conglomerates.

Lee also addressed the mass candle vigils that have been calling for President Park Geun-hye’s resignation. “I had a belief that those candles would be candles of hope,” he said.

Lee’s character in the film, Ahn Sang-goo, is a mobster who ends up being crushed by larger political powers more ruthless and power-hungry than his group of fist-wielding crooks.

The 46-year-old actor debuted in 2001 with the military drama “Joint Security Area” and has since forayed into Hollywood, starring in blockbusters like “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” in 2009, “Terminator Genisys” in 2015, and “The Magnificent Seven” this year.

Among others nominated for the prize were Song Kang-ho for “The Age of Shadows,” Jung Woo-sung for “Asura: The City of Madness,” Kwak Do-won for “The Stranger (Goksung),” and Ha Jung-woo for “Tunnel.”

The award for best actress went to Kim Min-hee for her role as the lonely Japanese heiress Hideko in “The Handmaiden.” She beat out Kim Hye-soo, nominated for “Good Bye Single,” Son Ye-jin for “The Last Princess,” Youn Yuh-jung for “Bacchus Lady,” and Han Ye-ri for “Worst Woman.”

Kim, whose affair with married film director Hong Sang-soo was recently publicized, was not present at the ceremony. Producer Yoon Seok-chan of “The Handmaiden” received the award on her behalf.

“She worked harder than anyone on the film, from 2013 until last year’s sweltering summer,” he said. “It’s not easy to act in a foreign language. I will make sure to deliver the prize to her,” he said.

Other award recipients included Park So-dam, who won best supporting actress for “The Priests,” and Japanese actor Kunimura Jun, who won best supporting actor for “The Stranger.” The award for best director went to Na Hong-jin for “The Stranger,” while the award for the best film went to “Inside Men.”

The ceremony was moderated by actress Kim Hye-soo and actor Yoo Joon-sang.

The annual Blue Dragon Film Awards is considered one of Korea’s three most influential awards ceremonies. This year saw the 37th edition of the awards.

By Rumy Doo (doo@heraldcorp.com)