'Intimate Betrayer' Continues to Shine with Award Wins Post-Finale

'Intimate Betrayer' (이토록 친밀한 배신자), a drama written by Han Ah-young and directed by Song Yeon-hwa, is receiving accolades even after its conclusion, showcasing its artistic merit. On December 19, MBC announced that the series has been recognized at various award ceremonies. Notably, it was named '2024 Good Drama of the Year' by the Kim Soo-hyun Drama Art Hall, the only drama museum in South Korea operated by the Cheongju Cultural Industry Promotion Foundation. This award is determined by a panel of viewers and drama experts who evaluate dramas aired on terrestrial, cable, and satellite channels over the past year, with 75 dramas considered for this year's selection. After rigorous evaluation, 'Intimate Betrayer' was awarded the title in the serial drama category.

A member of the judging panel commented on the series, stating, 'It seriously pursues the essence of human nature, which seems to indicate the promising future of this writer. In an era where normalized family structures and human relationships are shaken, it incisively explores the boundaries and measures of trust between people, making it a significant work that also addresses ethics.'

The accolades for 'Intimate Betrayer' do not stop there. The series also won the Grand Prize at the Broadcasting Content Awards, hosted by the Ministry of Science and ICT and organized by the Korea Communications Agency (KCA). This award recognizes creative and high-quality broadcasting works supported by the ministry throughout the year. In the drama category, 'My Harry' (나의 해리에게) received the Excellence Award.

At the 2024 Grimme Awards, organized by the Korea Broadcasting Cinematographers Association, 'Intimate Betrayer' excelled by winning multiple awards, including Best Drama, Best Director (Song Yeon-hwa), Best Cinematography (Lee Jin-seok, Lee Deok-hoon), Best Editing (Kim Hee-sung, Lee Ji-hye), Best Actor (Han Seok-kyu), and Best Actress (Chae Won-bin), effectively sweeping the major categories.

Additionally, in the '2024 Series of the Year' organized by Cine21, a film media outlet, 'Intimate Betrayer' ranked first in the 'Top 10 Series' and saw its director Song Yeon-hwa, actor Han Seok-kyu, and rookie actress Chae Won-bin recognized in their respective categories.

Nam Goong-seong, the executive producer of MBC's drama division, shared insights about the series, stating, 'This project took three years to develop. Given its distinct genre characteristics, there were concerns about ratings, but we were confident that it told a necessary story for this era. Thankfully, many viewers have continued to support us even after the finale.' He added, 'While 'Intimate Betrayer' was an outstanding work, it also serves as a promising platform for the future projects of writer Han Ah-young and director Song Yeon-hwa, who demonstrated strong and sensitive direction. Personally, it was a joy to witness the incredible acting spectrum of Han Seok-kyu and to introduce the talented rookie Chae Won-bin to the audience.'

The drama, which won the MBC Drama Script Contest, captivated viewers from its first episode with its intricate script that weaves a father-daughter narrative within a mystery. The beautiful thriller aesthetic crafted by director Song Yeon-hwa, along with the stellar performances from Han Seok-kyu (as Jang Tae-soo), Chae Won-bin (as Jang Ha-bin), Han Ye-ri (as Lee Eo-jin), and others, significantly contributed to the series' success.

'Intimate Betrayer' transcends the typical mystery genre by delivering a poignant message about family, prompting viewers to reconsider their relationships. It illustrates how parents often believe they know their children best, yet this misplaced confidence can lead to overlooking the truth, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.