Seoul Drama Fest to Bring Dramas, Fans Together
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By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
The Seoul Drama Festival (SDF) is launching its third year Oct. 4-14, aiming for a more fan-friendly and competitive event than ever.
"Korea is well known for its dramas and bringing the `Korean Wave' abroad, but it still has a long way to go to reach our expectations. This year, we have changed the concept from a plain drama award ceremony to a fun and engaging festival", Choi Jin-yong, the secretary general of the Korean Broadcasters Association and Seoul Drama Awards (SDA) Organizing Committee, said at a press conference Tuesday.
The annual event first started as the Seoul Drama Awards in 2006, giving out awards for well-made dramas, yet failing to attract fans. Thus the organizers transformed the ceremony into a cheerful festival that will bring fans, broadcasters and crews together.
The slogan of this year is "Enjoy Star and Story", allowing guests to spend time with their favorite stars and dramas.
The award ceremony will still be the main focus of the event, with categories like Grand Prize for best single drama, mini-series, drama series and teen drama, individual awards for best actress, actor, director, writer cinematographer, music director and art director.
A total of 152 works were submitted from 33 countries, including Iran, South Africa and Israel. It is the first time for South Africa to submit work to the festival and be nominated.
"Southeast Asian works were similar to ours, with trendy characters, storylines and ideas while American and European ones mostly tackled social problems and science fiction stories", said Bae Kuk-nam, a culture critic and judge for SDF.
Although Korea boasts popular dramas every year with cute, pretty characters and obvious yet popular storylines, it was evident that many other nations were gearing up for a more competitive race in the soap scene.
"Out of the 152 works, there were a lot that were interesting and high in quality. China's `Hero Without a Name' was one of the favorites among the judges and Taiwan also had strong works", Suh Byung-kee, fellow culture critic and judge added.
This year, the committee has arranged a special award called Star 2008 Hall of Fame, given to a prominent figure in the drama business to express gratitude for their devotion. This year veteran actor Choi Bool-am was given the award.
"It's a great honor and I want to tell my fellow actors that good acting not only makes a good person, but also helps build a good nation", said Choi at the conference.
The committee has also arranged other programs that will captivate the eyes and ears of fans throughout the festival.
A selection of the most popular dramas will be screened in a movie theater, while a special studio will be set up and display replicas of sets from well-known works. Fans can also get a glimpse of their favorite stars at fan meetings and meet writers of local dramas at the Korean Writer's Pavilion.
On the last day of the festival, Oct. 14, the committee will announce the winners for each category and hold a grand celebration.
"We are hoping to expand the festival into an international event, to compete with the Shanghai Drama Festival and the upcoming Tokyo Drama Festival. Come and enjoy the world of dramas", Choi, the secretary general of SDF said.
Staff Reporter
The Seoul Drama Festival (SDF) is launching its third year Oct. 4-14, aiming for a more fan-friendly and competitive event than ever.
"Korea is well known for its dramas and bringing the `Korean Wave' abroad, but it still has a long way to go to reach our expectations. This year, we have changed the concept from a plain drama award ceremony to a fun and engaging festival", Choi Jin-yong, the secretary general of the Korean Broadcasters Association and Seoul Drama Awards (SDA) Organizing Committee, said at a press conference Tuesday.
The annual event first started as the Seoul Drama Awards in 2006, giving out awards for well-made dramas, yet failing to attract fans. Thus the organizers transformed the ceremony into a cheerful festival that will bring fans, broadcasters and crews together.
The slogan of this year is "Enjoy Star and Story", allowing guests to spend time with their favorite stars and dramas.
The award ceremony will still be the main focus of the event, with categories like Grand Prize for best single drama, mini-series, drama series and teen drama, individual awards for best actress, actor, director, writer cinematographer, music director and art director.
A total of 152 works were submitted from 33 countries, including Iran, South Africa and Israel. It is the first time for South Africa to submit work to the festival and be nominated.
"Southeast Asian works were similar to ours, with trendy characters, storylines and ideas while American and European ones mostly tackled social problems and science fiction stories", said Bae Kuk-nam, a culture critic and judge for SDF.
Although Korea boasts popular dramas every year with cute, pretty characters and obvious yet popular storylines, it was evident that many other nations were gearing up for a more competitive race in the soap scene.
"Out of the 152 works, there were a lot that were interesting and high in quality. China's `Hero Without a Name' was one of the favorites among the judges and Taiwan also had strong works", Suh Byung-kee, fellow culture critic and judge added.
This year, the committee has arranged a special award called Star 2008 Hall of Fame, given to a prominent figure in the drama business to express gratitude for their devotion. This year veteran actor Choi Bool-am was given the award.
"It's a great honor and I want to tell my fellow actors that good acting not only makes a good person, but also helps build a good nation", said Choi at the conference.
The committee has also arranged other programs that will captivate the eyes and ears of fans throughout the festival.
A selection of the most popular dramas will be screened in a movie theater, while a special studio will be set up and display replicas of sets from well-known works. Fans can also get a glimpse of their favorite stars at fan meetings and meet writers of local dramas at the Korean Writer's Pavilion.
On the last day of the festival, Oct. 14, the committee will announce the winners for each category and hold a grand celebration.
"We are hoping to expand the festival into an international event, to compete with the Shanghai Drama Festival and the upcoming Tokyo Drama Festival. Come and enjoy the world of dramas", Choi, the secretary general of SDF said.
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