Lee Soon-jae and Ari Win Best Couple Award at KBS Drama Awards

On January 11, 2025, during the broadcast of the '2024 KBS Drama Awards' on KBS2, veteran actor Lee Soon-jae shared his thoughts after winning the Best Couple Award alongside his canine co-star, Ari, from the drama 'Dog Bark' (개소리). The ceremony, held on December 31 at KBS Hall in Yeouido, was hosted by Jang Sung-kyu, Girls' Generation's Seohyun, and Moon Sang-min.

When asked about the significance of a human-dog duo winning the award, Lee remarked, "I believe this is the first time in Korean broadcasting history that a dog and a person have received the Best Couple Award. Nowadays, it seems that two-thirds of Korean households have a dog as part of the family, so this relationship has become quite familiar. This is the first time for a drama, although I've seen it a couple of times in foreign shows, and I thought it could be a good theme."

He humorously added, "Ari played a crucial role in our performance. Without her talent, 'Dog Bark' would have fallen flat. I almost barked myself!"

Lee also praised the writer, Byun Suk-kyung, saying, "Her writing reminds me of Agatha Christie’s mysteries, showcasing her talent in that genre. The director and all the participating actors approached this unique project with a spirit of collaboration, aiming to create something entertaining for viewers. No one came here just to win an award; we all wanted to explore how to make this unusual work enjoyable. Therefore, every role is significant, and everyone is a lead in their part."

He concluded by expressing hope that KBS would continue to develop awards that are fair and meaningful, inspired by 'Dog Bark'.

Ari, reflecting on the award, said, "I never expected to win the Best Couple Award. I’m thrilled to receive it alongside my grandfather, Lee Soon-jae, who I thought didn’t like me much, but he ended up showing me his belly and winning the award with me!"