Kim Soo Hyun and Gong Hyo Jin are currently leading the popular vote in their respective categories for the 52nd Dae Jong Film Awards. Voting in the popularity division for actors and actresses began on October 12 and the "Producer" stars, continue to rack up votes from their fans.
An article published by Yonhap News on October 14 chronicled the upcoming event. The Dae Jong Film Awards, which is also known as the Grand Bell Awards, is the largest domestic ceremony dedicated to honoring the best of Korean cinema while acknowledging the accomplishments of the nation's most accomplished actors. Founded in 1962, the Dae Jong Film Awards is considered to be the Korean equivalent of the Academy Awards.
After three days of voting, Kim Soo Hyun leads the popularity vote for actors. In 2015, he returned to Korean television with his portrayal of Baek Seung Chan in the KBS docu-drama, "Producer." His successful K-Drama comeback led to a role in the upcoming film, "Real."
While he experienced his breakout role in the 2011 teen musical series, "Dream High," his role as alien-turned-entertainment manager, Do Min Joon, in "My Love from the Star" catapulted him to meteoric success.
As of print, Kim leads the popular vote by a wide margin, taking the lead with 51.59 percent.
EXO's D.O. (Do Kyung Soo) demonstrates his success as an upcoming actor, as fans of the idol continue to show their support, placing him in second place with 19.88 percent, in the popularity category. He delivered a stellar guest appearance on "I Remember You," as a sociopathic killer.
D.O. wowed K-Drama viewers in the 2014 SBS psychological series, "It's Okay, That's Love," as Han Kang Soo, a troubled teen who is later revealed to be the manifestation of schizophrenic delusions.
His breakout role was in the critically-acclaimed film, "Cart." In 2016, he stars in two highly anticipated movies, "Pure Love" opposite "Who Are You: 2015" star, Kim So Hyun, and "Hyung" or "Older Brother," which stars Hallyu darling Park Shin Hye and rising actor, Jo Jung Suk.
Big Bang's T.O.P wowed audiences with his transformation from beloved rapper to downtrodden hustler in "Tazza 2: The Hidden Card." He follows D.O. with 7.16 percent in the popularity category.
Lee Min Ho debuted as a film star in "Gangnam 1970." The Hallyu phenom currently follows T.O.P, with 6.91 percent.
Lee Kwang Soo starred in the critically-acclaimed short, "Collective Invention" or "Mutant." He also garnered positive attention for his portrayal of Park Soo Kwang, a waiter with Tourette Syndrome, in the 2014 psychological drama, "It's Okay, That's Love." He rounds out the category with 2.04 percent.
Gong Hyo Jin leads the popularity vote for actresses with 32.77 percent. The "Producer" star also received attention for her superb performance as Ji Hae Soo, a psychiatric intern in "It's Okay, That's Love."
2015 was a phenomenal year for Park Bo Young, who has appeared in several successful projects including the fantasy short "Collective Invention," and the period film, "The Silence." She returns to the silver screen in November for "You Call It Passion" and wowed K-Drama viewers with her turn as a sous chef with the ability to communication with the undead in tvN's "Oh My Ghost."
She is currently placed second in the popularity category for actresses with 16.47 percent.
Mother-to-be Jun Ji Hyun led the period blockbuster, "Assassination." She trails behind Park Bo Young with 16.13 percent of the popular vote.
The 52nd Dae Jong Film Awards will be held on November 20, in Seoul, with live streaming broadcast in China.
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Adrienne Stanley is a contributing editor at KDramaStars. She is also a contributing music writer at KpopStarz, MTV Iggy and other publications. When she is not listening to "We Like 2 Party," she can be found on Twitter. (@retrogirladdy).
