Global TV celebrities, creators to compete at Seoul drama awards

SEOUL, Sept. 4 (Yonhap) -- The fourth Seoul International Drama Awards kicked off
Friday with top TV stars and producers from 37 different countries competing for
the top prize in "drama wonderland" South Korea.
Running through Sept. 13 at major theaters and art centers in the city, the event
will feature a total of 169 TV shows under the slogan "Enjoy Star and Story."
Representative works from Korea as well as countries including Japan, Italy and
Canada will be competing for the Best Drama Award and Individual Prizes given to
best actors and actresses.
Popular dramas from South Korea including "Beethoven Virus (MBC)," "Painter of
the Wind (SBS)" and "Slingshot (KBS)" will compete with overseas series including
England's "Doctor Who Season 4," China's "Memories of China" and Canada's "The
Englishman's Boy," among others, according to the event's Web site.
South Korean actor Kim Myung-min of "Beethoven Virus" and Park Yong-ha of "On
Air" will be competing for the best actor prize along with New Zealand's Antony
Starr in "Outrageous Fortune" and Japan's Akira Kume from "The Shopping Trip,"
among others.
Moon Geun-young, who showed an outstanding performance in historical drama
"Painter of the Wind" will compete with six actresses including Norway's
Charlotte Frogner in "Maria" and Christine Reyes from the Philippines for her
appearance in "Eva Fonda."
According to a July 11-Aug. 30 online vote participated by Internet users from
some 50 different countries, South Korean drama "Boys over Flowers" was chosen
the most popular drama.
Actor Kim Hyun-joong, who made an acting debut in "Boys over Flowers" was
selected as the most popular male actor while Moon from "Painter of the Wind"
topped the female actress category.
Results of the vote, which was conducted in English, Japanese and Korean, will be
reflected in the final results.
Meanwhile, organizers have also prepared various exhibitions and screening
sessions for fans of Korean pop culture, dubbed the Korean Wave, throughout Asia.
Actress Choi Ji-woo, widely popular in Japan for her performance in "Winter
Sonata," has been chosen as an honorary star of this year's event with highlights
of her works including "Stairway to Heaven" and "Celebrity Sweetheart" to be
shown.
The event will also hold a special exhibition featuring emerging South Korean TV
directors including Kim Jung-kyu, Kim Sang-ho from and Jang Tae-yoo.
The "Drama Adventure" section will exhibit sets, costumes and installations from
some of domestic dramas including "Beethoven Virus" and "Korea Ghost Stories."
The final award ceremony will be held Sept. 11 at the Olympic Hall, southern Seoul.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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