Byeon Woo-seok, who starred in the series “Lovely Runner,” has been voted as the No. 1 best drama actor in South Korea in 2024.
Korean media outlet Joy News 24 marked its 20th anniversary by conducting a survey from Sept. 30 to Oct. 8 about dramas, variety shows, movies, actors and singers that shined in 2024.
The survey was conducted among 200 people in the Korean entertainment industry, including entertainment and broadcasting company employees, movie and broadcasting content producers, and entertainment reporters.
Byeon Woo-seok (변우석), whose popularity soared when he played the role of Ryu Sun-jae in “Lovely Runner,” received 56 votes and took first place as the best drama actor of the year.
Byeon Woo-seok in "Lovely Runner" (tvN)
"I received so much love for ‘Lovely Runner’ this year. I'm still dazed and amazed by the love from so many people. It's been a while since the finale, but I'm happy and grateful that you still look at me favorably and support me,” he told Joy News 24 upon learning that he took first place in the survey.
He added, "I want to once again thank the director, writer, all the actors, and staff who made our production shine.”
Byeon Woo-seok also thanked his co-star, actress Kim Hye-yoon, who played the role of Im Sol.
"I'm so grateful that you made it possible for me to see myself as Sun-jae from up close. Thank you, thank you again," he said.
Placing second with 36 votes is actress Jang Na-ra, who starred in the Korean drama “Good Partner.”
Kim Soo-hyun, who starred in the hit series “Queen of Tears,” ranked third in the best drama actor of the year survey with 34 votes.
His “Queen of Tears” co-star, actress Kim Ji-won, ranked fourth with 26 votes followed by actor Song Kang-ho of Disney+'s “Uncle Samsik" and Park Shin-hye of “The Judge from Hell” with seven votes.
Jang Na-ra (Instagram)
Kim Soo-hyun (top) and Kim Ji-won in "Queen of Tears" (tvN)
Here are the results of Joy News 24’s best drama actor of the year survey:
1. Byeon Woo-seok (“Lovely Runner”) - 56 votes
2. Jang Na-ara (“Good Partner”) - 36 votes
3. Kim Soo-hyun (“Queen of Tears”) - 34 votes
- Kim Ji-won (“Queen of Tears”) - 26 votes
- Song Kang-ho (“Uncle Samsik") - 7 votes
- Park Shin-hye (“The Judge from Hell”) - 7 votes
- Son Hyun-joo, Choi Min-sik, Ji Sung, Chun Woo-hee, Seol Kyung-gu, Shin Min-a, and Kim Hye-yoon received - 3 votes each
- Go Min-si, Um Tae-goo, Kim Hee-ae, Kim Ji-yeon, Lee Jung-eun, Koo Kyo-hwan, Lee Hak-joo, Jung Hae-in, Son Suk-goo, Byun Yo-han, Ji Seung-hyun, Ahn Jae-hong, Yoon Kye-sang also placed in the survey