Kim Gyu-ri Speaks Out at the 11th Korean Film Producers Association Awards

On December 17, 2024, the 11th Korean Film Producers Association Awards took place at Indie Space in Donggyo-dong, Seoul, hosted by actress Kim Gyu-ri. The event celebrated the key figures in the Korean film industry over the past year, with 152 films nominated across 16 categories. Notable winners included Jo Jung-seok, Kim Go-eun, Ji Chang-wook, Yeom Hye-ran, and Noh Sang-hyun, who shared the Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best New Actor awards. The film 'Seoul's Spring' won the Best Film award, with the representative from Hive Media Corp expressing gratitude to the producers who created 152 films despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

'Seoul's Spring' revisits the significant historical event known as '10·26' from the late 1970s, earning recognition for both its popularity and artistic merit. Hive Media Corp is known for its impressive filmography, including titles like 'Ordinary Family,' 'Handsome Guys,' 'The Man Standing Next,' 'The Drug King,' 'Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum,' 'The King's Daughter,' and 'The Insider.'

However, Kim Won-guk, the representative of Hive Media Corp, cautioned against overly political interpretations of their works, stating, 'I also appreciate films like 'Handsome Guys.'

In response, host Kim Gyu-ri remarked, 'It seems wrong to define someone solely by one color. Isn't that a distorted view from the observer's perspective?' This statement resonates with her past experiences; during the 2008 mad cow disease candlelight vigils, she posted about the issue on her personal account, which led to her being blacklisted in the cultural and artistic community. In a 2017 interview with SBS's 'I Want to Know That,' she shared the struggles she faced due to the political framing of her comments, which made it difficult for her to revive her acting career.

At that time, Kim expressed, 'Only 'cyanide' remains from what I wrote. There are those who have distorted my life and daily existence,' revealing the harsh reality of receiving curses from some individuals.

In 2018, a representative from her agency stated that Kim had posted a purely emotional message without any political intent during the mad cow disease incident, yet she faced continuous harassment and threats from numerous trolls for nearly a decade, which severely impacted her entertainment career due to her inclusion on the blacklist.

Fortunately, Kim Gyu-ri has returned to her acting career, striving to excel in her role. At the awards ceremony, she appeared in a simple outfit without extravagant makeup, capturing attention as she engaged with producers as both an actress and an MC.