"Secret Garden" Wins Big at Seoul Drama Awards

At the “Seoul International Drama Awards 2011” held at the Seoul Yeouido KBS Hall at 5.30 PM on August 31, drama “Secret Garden” received the accolade of being the greatest Hallyu drama, winning awards for Best Director, Best Writer and Best Theme Song in the Hallyu Drama category.

“Secret Garden” director Shin Woo Chul and writer Kim Eun Sook won awards for Best Director and Best Writer for Hallyu Dramas respectively.

During his acceptance speech, Director Shin Woo Chul said, “I’m very nervous. My mind went blank while standing here in front of so many people. I can’t remember what I had prepared to say. This is an award that is bigger than I imagined. I am like a frog in a well, I feel embarrassed (to receive the award). While filming last winter, it was very cold and snowed so much. I’m thankful to all who shared the suffering, including our “Secret Garden” actors and actresses, staff, writer Kim Eun Sook, and Baek Ji Young, who sang that wonderful song for us. I will share this honor with all of you.”

For her acceptance speech, Writer Kim Eun Sook said, “I am thankful to be able to receive such an amazing award. I think my family members will be the happiest. I want to thank my daughter Min Ji and my husband. I am extremely fascinated by how our country’s dramas are watched and loved by viewers of so many other countries. I feel a heavy responsibility upon receiving this award. I will improve my writing.”

“Secret Garden” also won the Best Theme Song in a Hallyu Drama, for “That Woman“, sung by Baek Ji Young. After receiving the award, the singer said, “I’m very happy to be able to receive this award, though I had wondered whether it is really possible to receive an award for a drama OST theme song. As one of the people helping to make good dramas, I will continue trying my best.”

Other winners in the Hallyu Drama category include:

• Excellent Drama Award: Mary Stayed Out All Night
• Outstanding Drama Award: Sungkyungwan Scandal
• Outstanding Actor Award: Park Yoo Chun (Sungkyungwan Scandal)
• Outstanding Actress Award: Moon Geun Young (Mary Stayed Out All Night)

To qualify for the Hallyu Drama category this year, the first episode of a drama must be aired between April 1 2010 to April 30 2011. The Hallyu drama must also be aired in more than 10 countries and earn above 3 million US dollars.

Find out more at the official website of the Seoul International Drama Awards 2011.

(above) Park Yoo Chun on the red carpet. Moon Geun Young could not attend the event due to her overseas commitments.