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South Korean actor Ki Ju-bong, 62, won the best actor award at the 2018 Locarno Film Festival for his performance in Hong Sang-soo's "Gangbyun Hotel" or "Hotel by the River."
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| Actor Ki Ju-bong / Korea Times file |
Actor Jung Jae-young, who appeared in Hong's earlier film "Right Now, Wrong Then," is the first Korean to win the award in 2015.
"Hotel by the River" revolves around an old poet who feels he is going to die soon. He summons his two sons and happens to meet a young woman and her friend. The film depicts his relationships with them. It is award-winning filmmaker Hong's 23rd feature film and the only Korean film that competed at the 2018 Locarno Film Festival.
With the best actor award at Rocarno, Hong proved himself again as the international film festival's favorite Korean filmmaker.
Making his debut in 1977 as an actor, Ki appeared in dozens of films and TV dramas, including "Offending the Audience, Sorum" (2001). He was a supporting actor in most of those works.
Ki's latest work is director Yoon Jong-bin's "The Spy Gone North" which is hitting theaters across the nation.
In the box-office hit film, Ki plays former North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, the father of current leader Kim Jong-un.
The veteran actor was congratulated by director Hong and his girlfriend Kim Min-hee who also attended the fest.
"Hotel by the River" is Hong and Kim's sixth collaboration. The filmmaker and actress caused a stir years ago for their extramarital affair. They confirmed they are dating. Hong filed a divorce suit against his wife.
