Jang Seo-hee wins grand prize at SBS Drama Awards

Korean actress Jang Seo-hee won the grand prize at the SBS Drama Awards, held at SBS' Open Hall on December 31.

Jang was awarded the top honor for her role in "Temptation of a Wife", which was one of the most-watched and most controversial dramas of the year for its sensational storyline.

"I didn't want to cry. I wanted to be cool about receiving [the award].." said Jang in her acceptance speech. "I thought I wouldn't be able to win this because of the genre. I would like to thank writer Kim Soon-ok... I was in a slump for three years but she helped me make a comeback."

The actress also thanked her family, saying that they "have been my fence against the rough entertainment industry." She went on to say that in a few decades she aspires to be "an actress who receives the lifetime achievement award like [veteran actress] Ban Hyo-jung."

First prize acting awards were handed to Hallyu star So Ji-sub ("Cain and Abel") and actress Kim Mi-sook ("Shining Inheritance").

Drama "Shining Inheritance" was the big winner of the night, bagging a total of eight awards including the prizes for best couple, lifetime achievement and three Top Ten Star awards. "Temptation of a Wife" also collected seven awards including the titles for grand prize, best supporting actor and young actor award.

"Boys Over Flowers" actor Kim Bum gave a heartfelt acceptance speech after winning the Top Ten Stars award. "There is something I would like to apologize for. I'm still young and I think I might have, unintentionally, hurt and offended some people, and I am truly sorry."

The actor appears to have been referring to a legal dispute with his former agency which sued him on charges on violating his previous working contract. His current agency King Kong Entertainment was recently quoted as saying that they "do not want to be further involved in a muddy battle."

The ceremony featured musical performances by several ensemble casts including Lee Seung-gi and Han Hyo-joo, the cast of "Temptation of a Wife" and fictional idol group A.N.JELL from "Minamishineyo".

"2009 SBS Drama Awards - List of Winners"
▲ Grand Prize : Jang Seo-hee

▲ First Prize (Actor/Actress) : So Ji-sub / Kim Mi-sook

▲ Netizens' Choice - Most Popular Star : Jang Keun-suk

▲ Top Ten Stars : So Ji-sub, Jang Seo-hee, Han Hyo-joo, Bae Soo-bin, Cha Seung-won, Kim Suna, Lee Soo-kyung, Jang Keun-suk, Lee Seung-gi, Kim Hye-soo

▲ Lifetime Achievement Award : Ban Hyo-jung

▲ Producer Awards : Jung Kyung-ho, Yoon Jung-hee

▲ Acting Awards - Long-term Series : Byun Woo-min, Kim Seo-hyung
▲ Acting Awards - Drama Special : Cha Seung-won, Kim Suna
▲ Acting Awards - Special Production : Lee Seung-gi, Park Shi-hoo, Han Hyo-joo

▲ New Star Awards : Lee Yong-woo ("Style"), Son Dambi, Kim Beom ("Dream"), Lee Min-jung ("Smile, You"), Jung Gyu-woon ("I Love You Ten Million Times"), Oh Young-shil ("Temptation of a Wife"), Lee Hong-ki, Jung Yong-hwa, Park Shin-hye ("Minamishineyo"), Lee So-yeon, Kim Tae-hyun ("Temptation of an Angel"), Lee Tae-im ("Don't Hesitate")

▲ Best Couple : Lee Seung-gi & Han Hyo-joo

▲ Young Actors : Jung Yoon-seok, Kim Soo-jung

▲ Supporting Actors - Long-term Series : Choi Joon-yong, Lee Hwi-hyang
▲ Supporting Actors - Drama Special : Baek Seung-hyun, Na Young-hee
▲ Supporting Actors - Special Production : Kang Seok-woo, Cha Hwa-yeon