Korean actor Han Suk-kyu turned his Grand Prize acceptance speech at the 2024 MBC Drama Awards on Sunday into a moving tribute to the victims of the Jeju Air disaster, which tragically claimed 179 lives.

Recognized for his role in the drama Doubt, Han conveyed his sorrow, saying, “Like myself, I’m sure the audience and fellow actors here feel the same. Holding an event like this in the wake of such a tragedy makes me feel apologetic and deeply regretful.”

He continued, “As actors, everything we do is for our audience. But such a devastating tragedy has occurred, and it truly breaks my heart.”

“My only concern as an actor is how to genuinely and honestly convey my emotions to the audience. To the families and loved ones affected by this immense loss, I offer my sincerest condolences,” he added.

Reflecting on his role, Han shared, “The central theme of my work has always been family. It was with that in mind that I took on Doubt, hoping to highlight the importance of family.”

As he spoke, emotion overcame him. Pausing briefly to compose himself, he added, “I wanted to tell a story about family…” His voice trembled with sincerity.

The atmosphere in the venue turned heavy with emotion with Han’s heartfelt words resonating deeply with the audience. Several actors were seen wiping away tears, visibly moved by his sentiments.

Han concluded, “May you overcome this great sorrow.” He apologized, bowed, and left the stage, leaving the room in a reflective silence.

Han’s words carried additional weight, given his personal connection to tragedy. In 1997, he lost his college senior and mentor, voice actor Jang Se-jun, in the Korean Air crash in Guam, which claimed 225 lives. Jang, known for voicing Seo Tae-woong in Slam Dunk and Jackie Chan in Korean dubs, had encouraged Han to pursue acting, shaping his path toward becoming one of Korea’s most beloved stars.

Over the years, Han Suk-kyu has delivered unforgettable performances, portraying characters that touched the hearts of viewers. From the resilient surgeon in Romantic Doctor, Teacher Kim to the unwavering detective in Watchman, and the conflicted king in The Tree with Deep Roots, his roles have always carried a deep emotional resonance. Each drama, in its own way, explored themes of love, family, and humanity — values he sought to honor in his tribute.

In his latest role as profiler Jang Tae-soo in Doubt, Han unravels a chilling case that forces him to question his own daughter’s innocence, a storyline that mirrors his lifelong dedication to portraying the complexities of familial bonds. The drama also marked his first MBC project in 29 years, adding to its significance.

While the awards ceremony was held on 30 December at the MBC Public Hall in Mapo, Seoul, its broadcast was delayed to 5 January, respecting the national mourning period for the Jeju Air disaster, which ended on 4 January.

The catastrophic crash of Jeju Air Flight 2216 on 29 December 2024 marked the deadliest aviation disaster in South Korea.