Ma Dong-seok Crowned 'Actor of the Year' for Second Consecutive Year

Actor Ma Dong-seok has been named the 'Actor of the Year' for the second year in a row, according to a recent survey conducted by Korean Gallup. From November 11 to 25, 2024, 1,741 individuals aged 13 and older across South Korea (excluding Jeju) were asked to name the two movie actors who made the most significant impact this year. Ma Dong-seok received 26.5% of the votes, securing the top position once again.

His success is largely attributed to the 'Crime City' (범죄도시) series, which is inspired by real events and is planned to have a total of eight installments. Ma Dong-seok not only stars in the films but also serves as a producer and planner. The series began with the first installment in 2017, followed by the second in 2022, the third in 2023, and the fourth installment is set to release in 2024, with a fifth installment expected in 2026.

Both 'Crime City 2' and 'Crime City 3' were the only films to attract over ten million viewers in their respective release years, and the recently released 'Crime City 4' has also showcased the charm of his character, detective Ma Seok-do, against formidable villains, alongside the film 'Pamyo' (파묘). Ma Dong-seok first entered the top ten for 'Actor of the Year' in 2016 and has remained in the top tier for eight consecutive years, previously winning the title in 2018 with films like 'Along with the Gods: The Two Worlds' (신과 함께-인과 연) and 'Champion' (챔피언).

In second place is Hwang Jung-min with 14.2%. Known for his prolific acting, he starred as security commander Jeon Du-gwang in 'Seoul's Spring' (서울의 봄) last year, and this summer, he took on the role of former special agent Park Kwang-mu in the comedy-action film 'Cross' (크로스). He also reprised his role as veteran detective Seo Do-cheol in 'Veteran 2' (베테랑2) after a nine-year hiatus. Hwang first entered the top five in 2015 with 'International Market' (국제시장) and 'Veteran' (베테랑), both of which attracted over ten million viewers, and he has consistently ranked in the top ten for the past decade.

Kim Go-eun, who delivered a striking performance as the shaman Hwa-rim in the occult mystery film 'Pamyo', which recorded the highest audience numbers this year at 11.91 million, secured third place with 12.2%. Choi Min-sik, who played the seasoned feng shui master Sang-deok, followed closely in fourth with 11.7%. Kim Go-eun is the only woman in the top ten this year, marking her first appearance, while Choi Min-sik previously won first place in 2014 for his role as Admiral Yi Sun-sin in the blockbuster 'Roaring Currents' (명량).

Lee Jung-jae, who made history as the first Asian Jedi Master Sol in the global OTT series 'The Acolyte', ranked fifth with 10.0%. Lee Byung-hun, who appeared in 'Concrete Utopia' (콘크리트 유토피아) in 2023, came in sixth with 8.3%. Song Kang-ho, who debuted in a drama after 35 years with 'Sam-sik's Uncle' (삼식이 삼촌), ranked seventh with 7.3%. Jung Woo-sung, who starred in 'Seoul's Spring', took eighth place with 5.3%. Yoo Hae-jin, known for his roles in 'Pamyo' and 'Dog Days' (도그데이즈), ranked ninth with 5.0%. Lastly, Son Seok-koo, who appeared in 'Comment Troop' (댓글부대) and the short thriller 'Night Fishing' (밤낚시), rounded out the top ten with 3.4%.

Other notable actors receiving over 1.0% of the votes include Jo Jung-seok (3.1%), Kim Hye-soo (2.9%), Jung Hae-in (2.8%), Seol Kyung-gu (1.7%), Ha Jung-woo (1.6%), Kim Soo-hyun, and Gong Yoo (1.2% each), as well as Cha Eun-woo, Song Joong-ki, Park Bo-gum, and Youn Yuh-jung (1.1% each), and Kim Tae-ri, Lee Do-hyun, Ra Mi-ran, and Ryu Seung-ryong (1.0% each), totaling 15 actors.