Veteran actor Namgung Won was honored with the lifetime achievement award at the fifth Shin Young Kyun Arts & Culture Foundation Artist of the Year Awards ceremony held at the Seoul Press Center Tuesday.

Namgung has been a key figure in the Korean movie industry, starring in over 300 films and winning dozens of honors, including a Blue Dragon Award. He played an instrumental role in spearheading the Korean film boom of the 1960s and 1970s and, following his retirement from acting in 2002, has been actively involved in leading various film industry associations. 

“I think that you have given me this award to show that you are proud of me for having stayed on only one path,” Namgung said at the awards ceremony. “For 60 years, I have lived only for film. But watching the video of my past works, it feels incredible.”

Namgung spent a significant portion of his acceptance speech thanking his family. “Their support was what brought me this far,” he said. 

Also honored by the foundation were director Youn JK, actor Yoo Ah-in and playwright-director Koh Sun-woong.

Youn JK, who brought in over 14 million audience members with last year’s “Ode to My Father” and 11 million with “Haeundae” in 2009, was honored with the Grand Prize for his creativity and directorial skills.

Yoo Ah-in began his acting career with the TV drama “Sharp” and made his movie debut in 2007 in “Boys of Tomorrow.” This year, he made his mark by playing the sociopathic heir in the film “Veteran” and a pained crown prince in period film “The Throne.” 

Playwright and director Koh Sun-woong was recognized for his 16 years in theater, where he displayed exceptional creativity and realism in works such as the original musical “Arirang.”

After accepting their awards, the winners held a special hand printing ceremony to preserve their handprints at the Myungbo Art Hall.

The approximately 150 people in attendance at the awards ceremony included SACF director and actor Ahn Sung-ki, as well as past winners and aspiring actors, directors and writers who have participated in programs sponsored by the SACF.

The SACF Artists of the Year Award is given to artists in film and theater who have shown extraordinary talent in their fields, contributing to the development of Korean arts and culture. The winners are chosen through deliberation by seasoned journalists and news desk editors covering film and theater. Previous winners include director Kim Ki-duk and actor Choi Min-sik.

By Won Ho-jung (hjwon@heraldcorp.com)