On January 29, Yoochun of the K-pop group JYJ received the Best New Actor Award at the Korean Film Reports Association Film Awards ceremony.

He received the honor for his role in the 2014 film “Sea Fog.” As Dong Shik, he was placed alongside veteran screen stars including Kim Yoon Seok, Lee Hee Joon, and Kim Sang Ho.

The film, which was also known as “Haemoo,” was based on the tragic true story of 25 Korean-Chinese illegal immigrants who perished after suffocating below the deck of a fishing ship. The crew dumped the bodies of the deceased into the sea, further complicating the situation. The sorrowful tale was served as the basis for the 2007 stage play “Haemoo” which was then adapted into the 2014 film.

Yoochun was thrilled to receive the award. “Sea Fog” was his first film role since he debuted as an idol in 2003. He is widely recognized as one of the most proficient acting idols, with many critics placing him outside of the constraints of the label.

In addition to his singing career which has spanned the groups TVXQ and JYJ, he is best known for his television roles in dramas including “Sungkyunkwan Scandal,” “Rooftop Prince,” and “Three Days.”

The KOFRA Film Awards reflected the best of 134 movies which included films from Korea and other markets.

Other notable winners at the KOFRA Film Awards included the selection of “Han Gong Ju” as the Best Picture and Kim Sung Hoon as Best Director for his work on “A Hard Day.” Choi Min Sik was the recipient of the Best Actor award for “The Admiral: Roaring Currents,” while Chun Woo He received the Best Actress honor for “Han Gong Ju.”