The 2017 Korean Popular Culture & Arts Awards took place quietly with a cancelled red carpet due to the passing of beloved veteran leading man Kim Joo Hyuk earlier in the week. The big winners among stars I follow are veterans Park Geun Hyung and Yoon Yeo Jung getting feted with highest Order of Cultural Merits. Three heavyweight male leads Son Hyun Joo, Cha Seung Won, and Kim Sang Joong were given President Commendations. Boy idol group EXO received a Prime Minister Commendation and all the boys were proudly present to receive their award, and the same award was given to actor Ji Sung. And last but not least, Namgong Min, Park Bo Gum, Park Bo Young, and Ra Mi Ran were awarded the Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Commendation. Congratulations to all the winners, and a special thanks to Cha Seung Won for expressing in his speech how bittersweet it is that happy and sad events happened this week but hopeful that there are happy thankful days ahead. Continue reading →