The spotlight is set to shine on Korean entertainment’s finest as the 23rd Director’s Cut Awards gets ready for an electrifying celebration! Hosted by the Directors Guild of Korea (DGK), this highly anticipated annual event honors outstanding achievements in both film and drama, recognizing works released from January 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025.
Mark your calendars — the big night is scheduled for May 20 at 7 p.m. KST, promising a star-studded evening full of admiration, surprises, and well-deserved applause.
Let’s dive into the full list of nominees who are vying for top honors across a range of categories:
🎬 Best Director (Drama)
- Kim Gok & Kim Sun – Family Matters
- Park Chan Wook – The Sympathizer
- Yeon Sang Ho – Parasyte: The Grey
- Lee Chang Hee – A Killer Paradox
- Im Dae Hyung – LTNS
- Hwang Dong Hyuk – Squid Game 2
👩🎤 Best Actress (Drama)
- Esom – LTNS
- Kim Hye Joon – A Shop for Killers
- Bae Doona – Family Matters
- Jeon So Nee – Parasyte: The Grey
- Chun Woo Hee – The 8 Show
🎭 Best Actor (Drama)
- Ahn Jae Hong – LTNS
- Lee Hee Joon – A Killer Paradox
- Lee Byung Hun – Squid Game 2
- Ryoo Seung Bum – Family Matters
- Choi Woo Shik – A Killer Paradox
🌟 Best New Actress (Drama)
- Geum Hae Na – A Shop for Killers
- Lee Soo Kyung – Love in the Big City
- Jung Yi Seo – A Killer Paradox
- Moon Geun Young – Hellbound 2
- Lee Su Hyun – Family Matters
🌟 Best New Actor (Drama)
- Park Sung Hoon – Squid Game 2
- Jin Ho Eun – Love in the Big City
- Hyun Bong Sik – A Killer Paradox
- Lomon – Family Matters
- Kim Yo Han – A Killer Paradox
🎥 Best Director (Film)
- Nam Dong Hyub – Handsome Guys
- Kim Hyung Joo – The Match
- Bong Joon Ho – Mickey 17
- Hur Jin Ho – A Normal Family
- Woo Min Ho – Harbin
- Jang Jae Hyun – Exhuma
🌈 Best Vision (Film)
- Lee Mi Rang – Connecting My Daughter
- Park Ri Woong – The Land of Morning Calm
- Park Hong Jun – Work to Do
- Kim Da Min – FAQ
- Kim Dong Chul – Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning
- Oh Jung Min – House of the Seasons
🎬 Best New Director (Film)
- Kim Se Hwi – Following
- Park Hong Jun – Work to Do
- Nam Dong Hyub – Handsome Guys
- Kim Dong Chul – Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning
- Oh Jung Min – House of the Seasons
✍️ Best Screenplay (Film)
- Oh Jung Min – House of the Seasons
- Park Ri Woong – The Land of Morning Calm
- Kim Hyung Joo & Yoon Jong Bin – The Match
- Bong Joon Ho – Mickey 17
- Jang Jae Hyun – Exhuma
👩🎤 Best Actress (Film)
- Shin Hae Sun – Following
- Kim Jae Hwa – Blesser
- Kim Go Eun – Love in the Big City
- Yang Hee Kyung – The Land of Morning Calm
- Kim Go Eun – Exhuma
🎭 Best Actor (Film)
- Yoon Joo Sang – The Land of Morning Calm
- Yoo Ah In – The Match
- Lee Byung Hun – The Match
- Robert Pattinson – Mickey 17
- Choi Min Sik – Exhuma
🌟 Best New Actress (Film)
- Han Sun Hwa – Pilot
- Kim Geum Soon – Star of Ulsan
- Yang Hee Kyung – The Land of Morning Calm
- Kim Ji Ahn – Exhuma
- Kim Shin Rok – Uprising
🌟 Best New Actor (Film)
- Yoon Joo Sang – The Land of Morning Calm
- Noh Sang Hyun – Love in the Big City
- Lee Do Hyun – Exhuma
- Kang Seung Ho – House of the Seasons
- Hong Kyung – Troll Factory
From acclaimed veterans to fresh breakout stars, the nominees this year represent a vibrant cross-section of creativity, innovation, and storytelling prowess. With such fierce competition, fans and industry insiders alike are eagerly awaiting the final reveal.
Stay tuned — the 23rd Director’s Cut Awards is shaping up to be a night to remember!
