Korean Actor Kang Dong-won Named Worst Actor at Raspberry Film Festival

Korean actor Kang Dong-won has ended the year on a disappointing note, being awarded both 'Worst Film' and 'Worst Acting' at the 8th annual Raspberry Film Festival. The festival, which recognizes the worst in cinema, conducted a survey among 51 film journalists from major Korean media outlets, focusing on films released between December of last year and November 30 of this year. This event is often compared to the Golden Raspberry Awards in the United States, which takes place the day before the Academy Awards.

This year, the festival awarded 'Worst Film' to the crime drama 'The Planner' (설계자), directed by Lee Yo-seob. The film received 15 votes, with critics describing it as a "bottom-tier genre film" that squandered its potential with a good source material and cast.

In second place was the comedy 'Amazon Herbal Medicine' (아마존 활명수), directed by Kim Chang-joo, which garnered 12 votes. Critics expressed their disappointment, stating that the film was so bad it made them feel ill, and criticized its outdated comedic style.

The disaster film 'Escape: Project Silence' (탈출: 프로젝트 사일런스), directed by Kim Tae-gon, came in third with 11 votes. Critics lamented the wasted production budget and labeled it a failure of both talent and investment.

Kang Dong-won also took home the title of 'Worst Acting' for his role in 'The Planner,' receiving 11 votes. Critics noted his lack of emotional range and stagnant performance, calling him a 21-year veteran who still confuses audiences with his inconsistent acting.

In the acting category, there were no runners-up for second place, while Ju Ji-hoon, who starred in 'Escape,' received three votes for his performance, with some viewers expressing a desire to leave the theater due to his acting.

Song Joong-ki and Song Seung-heon, dubbed the 'Song-Song Brothers,' tied for fourth place, each receiving seven votes. Critics pointed out Song Joong-ki's lackluster performance in the Netflix film 'Rogawan' and Song Seung-heon's disappointing role in the thriller 'Hidden Face.'

The festival also highlighted 'Worst Manners,' with Jeon Do-yeon receiving attention for her discomfort during an interview with Yoo Jae-suk. She expressed her unease about participating in variety shows, stating that she found the experience uncomfortable and that her interactions with Yoo were not as friendly as perceived.

Other notable mentions included Kwak Do-won, who received nine votes for his involvement in a drunk driving controversy, and Gong Yoo, who faced backlash for a past comment about former President Park Chung-hee, which resurfaced amid political discussions. Gong Yoo expressed feeling exploited by the media and clarified that his comments were taken out of context.

The Raspberry Film Festival continues to spark discussions about the state of Korean cinema and the performances that fail to meet audience expectations.