The 2024 KBS Drama Awards is set to make headlines tonight, January 11, at 9:20 PM KST, with actor Kim Jung Hyun’s long-awaited public apology and veteran actor Lee Soon Jae’s return to the stage after battling health issues.

Originally scheduled for December 31, the awards ceremony was delayed due to the national mourning period after the Jeju Air flight disaster. Now, fans are excited for the broadcast, hosted by Jang Sung Kyu, Seohyun, and Moon Sang Min.

Kim Jung Hyun, nominated for the Grand Prize at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards for his role in Ironing Family, attended the pre-recorded event and made an emotional public apology. He said, "I have many things to reflect on. I’ve carried a heavy heart for a long time. I wanted to sincerely apologize." According to eyewitnesses, Kim bowed deeply to the MCs during his speech.

While the exact recipient of his apology wasn’t confirmed, his former agency, Story J Company, acknowledged the apology on January 2, leaving many fans to speculate that Kim’s remarks were directed at Seohyun, who was seated at the MC table.

This apology has raised a lot of questions, especially since it relates to the infamous 2018 Time drama press conference.

At the time, Kim Jung Hyun’s cold attitude toward Seohyun, including refusing to link arms for a photo session and maintaining a distant demeanor, caused a major stir.

Seohyun was reportedly left in tears backstage, and it was later revealed that Kim’s behavior was influenced by his then-girlfriend, actress Seo Ye Ji, who allegedly told him to treat female co-stars coldly.

Now, six years later, as Kim and Seohyun crossed paths again at the awards, the question remains: Is this apology enough to heal old wounds? Public reaction has been mixed, with some feeling Kim’s apology may just open old scars.

As the 2024 KBS Drama Awards airs, many are wondering whether Kim Jung Hyun’s apology will be shown without edits. Fans are eager to see if the network will broadcast the emotional moment as it happened or cut it out entirely.

Alongside Kim Jung Hyun, the evening will also feature Lee Soon Jae, a highly respected veteran actor and contender for the Grand Prize. If Lee wins, he will make history as the oldest recipient in the awards' history.

Lee’s return is especially significant after he took a break from work in October due to health concerns. He had to cancel his remaining performances for the play Waiting for Godot after doctors advised him to rest. Lee also postponed his lecture series 70 Years of Acting Philosophy and missed promotional activities for his recent film The Big Family.

Now, after three months of rest, Lee Soon Jae is ready to make his comeback, and fans are thrilled to see his return to the stage.

As the 2024 KBS Drama Awards kicks off, all eyes will be on Kim Jung Hyun and Lee Soon Jae, with viewers eagerly anticipating their big moments.

Will Kim's apology be enough to mend the past, and will Lee Soon Jae's comeback be as strong as ever?

Tune in to find out!

The upcoming SBS drama Love Scout, starring Han Ji Min and Lee Jun Hyuk, is already making headlines—but for all the wrong reasons.

Recent revelations about the show’s co-director, Ham Joon Ho, have sparked controversy. It was revealed that Ham Joon Ho had faced legal issues in 2020 for assault and defamation while intoxicated.

This incident led to disciplinary action within SBS and has raised questions about his involvement in the new project.

On January 13, the production team of Love Scout released an official apology, saying, "We deeply regret causing concern with unpleasant news related to PD Ham Joon Ho."

They confirmed the allegations, stating, "It is true that PD Ham Joon Ho was accused of assault and defamation while intoxicated in early 2020. However, he sincerely apologized to all victims, and the matter was resolved through forgiveness and mutual agreement."

They added, "He also received legal punishment for the incident. Additionally, reports about his prior criminal record from five years ago are unrelated to this case, as they involve a misdemeanor."

The team explained that Ham Joon Ho was suspended from his duties following the incident and spent three years reflecting on his actions before returning to directing. They added, "We kindly ask for viewers’ understanding."

The controversy began after online posts brought up the 2020 incident, sharing a news article from that time. The article described an SBS drama department employee, referred to as “A,” causing a disturbance in Hannam-dong, Seoul, while intoxicated. Police booked “A,” and due to their prior criminal record, an arrest warrant was requested but later denied.

It was later confirmed that “A” was PD Ham Joon Ho. After serving his suspension, he made his directorial comeback with the SBS drama Payback before taking on Love Scout.

Despite the production team's apology, the controversy has cast a shadow over the highly anticipated drama, leaving viewers wondering how it will impact the show’s reception.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story unfolds!

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