Director Kim Seongsu and Others Selected as 'Artist of the Year'

Korean Art Critics Association Selects Best Artists by Genre
Including Lee Suhee, Artistic Director of Baekje Gayageum Ensemble, Among 31 Recipients
Award Ceremony Scheduled for December 8 at PJ Hotel, Seoul

The 43rd "Artist of the Year Award" ceremony, hosted by the Korean Association of Art Critics (President Jang Seok-yong), will be held on the 8th (Friday) at 5 p.m. at the Karadium Hall (4th floor) of the PJ Hotel in Seoul.

Founded in 1980, the Korean Association of Art Critics has annually selected and announced the best artists by genre. Past recipients include actor Lee Byung-hun (2016), film director Bong Joon-ho (2019), film director Lee Joon-ik (2021), and actress Tang Wei (2022).

At the awards ceremony, the Baekje Gayageum Ensemble (photo) and 98-year-old active tenor Hong Unpyo will perform congratulatory performances.

This year, the organizers explained that the selection of awardees focused on discovering and encouraging artists who are doing meaningful work in the arts, internationally recognized artists, artists who are flourishing regional arts, and promising young artists.

Particularly notable this year are Lee Soo-hee, artistic director of the Baekje Gayageum Ensemble, who made a significant contribution to the development of regional culture and arts by presenting the creative performance inspired by the Baekje Five Mountains in the National Treasure No. 284 Baekje Gilt-bronze Incense Burner, and film director Kim Sung-soo, who is currently gaining attention for the film .

The awardees are as follows.

◆ Contribution Artist: Jang Hye-won (Chairperson of the Korean Piano Society)

◆ Best Artists: Kim Ho-eun (Dance, Artistic Director of Cassia Dance Company), Baeu Sik (Literature, Poet), Yoon Doo-sik (Art, Western Painter), Kim Sung-no (Theater, Theater Director), Kim Sung-soo (Film, Film Director), Lee Soo-hee (Music, Artistic Director of Baekje Gayageum Ensemble), Lim Young-soon (Traditional, Holder of Pyongyang Geommu), Kwon Young-sil (Creative, Western Painter), Jung Soon-young (Criticism, Music Critic).

◆ Special Artists Selected by Judges: Bae Jun-yong (Performance Planner), Kim Yu-mi (Korean Dancer), Tak Ji-hyun (Ballerina), Jeon Ye-hwa (Contemporary Dancer), Park Dong-guk (Watercolor Painter), Jung Jae-yeon (Theater Actor), Jo Mi-kyung (Vocalist), Baek Seung-tae (Composer), Jeon Young-sun (Traditional Dancer)

◆ Artists to Watch: Jeon Bo-hyun (Traditional Dancer), Hong Yeon-kyung (Korean Dancer), Jung Yi-ji (Ballerina), Lee Jung-min (Ballerina), Park Min-young (Contemporary Dancer), Jo Eun-byeol (Contemporary Dancer), Kim Yoon-mi (Western Painter), Heo Seung-mi (Mackgan Crafts Artist) ◆ Young Artists: Cha Seo-yeon (Kim Baek-bong Fan Dance Successor), Kim Na-kyung (Deokwon High School, Contemporary Dance), Oh Se-in (Gold Prize Winner at Hwaseong International Dance Competition, Korean Dance), Go Jin-kyung (Deokwon Middle School, Contemporary Dance)