The Cine21 Film Awards is a South Korean film awards ceremony established by Cine21, a comprehensive weekly video magazine published by The Hankyoreh newspaper. The awards, which recognized outstanding films and individuals from the magazine's inaugural year in 1995, officially launched in February 1996.
The first three awards ceremonies selected films from the preceding year in the early part of the following year. For the first two years (1st and 2nd editions), selections were made by regular readers, rather than by a panel of experts like critics and journalists. Beginning with the 3rd edition, to enhance professionalism, the selection method was changed, with Cine21's editorial staff serving as the selection committee.
From the 4th edition onward, the editorial staff continued as the selection committee, but the awards ceremony itself, held for the first three editions, was discontinued. Instead, Cine21 began announcing "Film of the Year" and "Filmmaker of the Year" in its year-end issue. This method remains in practice today.
Past Major Award Winners (Award Ceremony)
1st Cine21 Film Awards The 1st Cine21 Film Awards, honoring the 1995 Film Grand Prize Award, was held on February 6, 1996, at 5 PM. The event took place at the East Building of LG Twin Towers in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and was hosted by Kim Myung-gon and Jung Eun-im. CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearA Single Spark Director of the Year Park Kwang-suActor of the Year Hong Kyung-in Ahn Sung-ki The Eternal Empire New Director of the YearLee Min-yongA Hot Roof New Actor of the YearHan Suk-kyuDoctor Bong
2nd Cine21 Film Awards The 2nd Cine21 Film Awards, honoring the 1996 Film Grand Prize Award ceremony was held on February 4, 1997, at 5 PM, at the Yeon-gang Hall of the Doosan Art Center in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The event was hosted by Kim Myung-gon and Kim Sun-jae.
CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the Year The Gingko Bed Director of the YearIm Kwon-taekFestival Actor of the YearAhn Sung-ki New Director of the YearKang Je-gyu The Gingko Bed New Actor of the YearLee Jung-hyunA Petal
3rd Cine21 Film Awards On February 17, 1998, at 6 PM, the 3rd Cine21 Film Awards took place at the Hollywood Theater Blue Hall in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where the 1997 Film Grand Prize Award was presented. CategoryWinnerWorkSourceCine21 Award Seo Joon-sik Executive Director, 2nd Human Rights Film Festival Myung Films Contact Film of the Year Green Fish New Director of the Year Lee Chang-dong Yegam21 Award Byun Hyuk Interview
Filmmaker of the Year (Cine21 Year-end Issue) 1998 Cine21 No. 183 (Published: December 29, 1998) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearSpring in My Hometown Director of the YearLee Kwang-moSpring in My Hometown Producer of the YearCha Seung-jae (Uno Film)Christmas in AugustGirls' Night Out Screenplay of the YearLee Kwang-moSpring in My Hometown Cinematography of the YearYoo Young-gilChristmas in August Actor of the YearHan Suk-kyuChristmas in August Actress of the YearShim Eun-haChristmas in AugustArt Museum by the Zoo
1999 Cine21 No. 233 (Published: December 28, 1999) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearNowhere to Hide Director of the YearLee Myung-seNowhere to Hide Actor of the YearChoi Min-sikHappy EndShiri Actress of the YearJeon Do-yeonHappy EndThe Harmonium in My Memory Screenplay of the YearJang JinThe Spy Cinematography of the YearHong Kyung-pyoPhantom: The Submarine Producer of the YearCha Seung-jae (Uno Film)City of the Rising SunPhantom: The Submarine
2000 Cine21 No. 283 (Published: December 26, 2000) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearPeppermint Candy Director of the YearLee Chang-dongPeppermint Candy Actor of the YearSong Kang-hoThe Foul KingJoint Security AreaSul Kyung-guPeppermint CandyThe Warrior Actress of the Year Lee Mi-yeon Love BakeryPisces Screenplay of the YearLee Chang-dongPeppermint Candy Cinematography of the YearJung Il-sungChunhyang Producer of the YearShim Jae-myung, Lee Eun (Myung Films)Joint Security AreaThe Isle
2001 Cine21 No. 333 (Published: December 25, 2001) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearSorum Director of the YearHur Jin-hoOne Fine Spring Day Actor of the YearChoi Min-sikFailan Actress of the YearLee Young-aeOne Fine Spring DayLast Present Screenplay of the YearSong Hae-sung, Ahn Sang-hoon, Kim Hae-gonFailan Cinematography of the YearKim Hyung-guOne Fine Spring DayMusa Producer of the YearOh Ki-min (Magical Film)Take Care of My Cat
2002 Cine21 No. 383 (Published: December 24, 2002) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearOn the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate Director of the YearLee Chang-dongOasis Actor of the YearSul Kyung-guOasisPublic EnemyJail BreakersThe Bird Who Stops in the Air Actress of the YearMoon So-riOasis Screenplay of the YearLee Chang-dongOasis Cinematography of the YearJung Il-sungChi-hwa-seon Producer of the YearLee Tae-won (Taeheung Pictures)Chi-hwa-seon
2003 Cine21 No. 433 (Published: December 23, 2003) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearSave the Green Planet! Director of the YearJang Joon-hwanSave the Green Planet! Screenplay of the YearBong Joon HoShim Sung-boMemories of Murder Cinematography of the YearKim Hyung-guMemories of Murder Producer of the YearCha Seung-jae (Sidus)Memories of MurderSave the Green Planet!Singles Actor of the YearSong Kang-hoMemories of Murder Actress of the YearMoon So-riA Good Lawyer's Wife New Actor of the YearPark Hae-ilMemories of MurderJealousy Is My Middle NameScent of Love New Actress of the YearIm Soo-jungA Tale of Two Sisters...ing
2004 Cine21 No. 484 (Published: December 28, 2004) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearRepatriation Director of the YearKim Dong-wonRepatriation Actor of the YearBaek Yoon-sikThe Big Swindle Actress of the YearJeon Do-yeonMy Mother, the Mermaid Screenplay of the YearChoi Dong-hoonThe Big Swindle Cinematography of the YearKim Hyung-guRikidōzanHong Kyung-pyoTaegukgiNew Actor of the YearGang Dong-wonTemptation of WolvesJae Hee3-Iron New Actress of the YearSoo AeA Family
2005 Cine21 No. 534 (Published: December 27, 2005) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearTale of Cinema Director of the YearHong Sang-sooTale of Cinema Actor of the YearHwang Jung-minYou Are My Sunshine Actress of the YearJeon Do-yeonYou Are My Sunshine Screenplay of the YearLee Won-jaeBlood Rain Cinematography of the YearKim Woo-hyungThe President's Last Bang Producer of the YearJang Jin(Film It Suda)Welcome to DongmakgolMurder, Take One New Actor of the YearHa Jung-wooThe Unforgiven New Actress of the YearKim Ji-sooThis Charming Girl
2006 Cine21 No. 584 (Published: December 26, 2006) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearWoman on the Beach Director of the YearBong Joon HoThe Host Actor of the YearSong Kang-hoThe Host Actress of the YearKim Hye-sooTazza: The High Rollers Screenplay of the YearLee Hae-young, Lee Hae-junLike a Virgin Cinematography of the YearKim Hyung-guWoman on the BeachThe Host Producer of the YearChoi Yong-bae (Cheongeoram)The Host New Director of the YearJo Chang-hoPeter Pan's Formula New Actor of the YearRyu Deok-hwanLike a Virgin New Actress of the YearGo Hyun-jungWoman on the Beach
2007 Cine21 No. 634 (Published: December 25, 2007) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearSecret Sunshine Director of the YearIm Kwon-taekBeyond the Years Actor of the YearSong Kang-hoSecret SunshineThe Show Must Go On Actress of the YearJeon Do-yeonSecret Sunshine Screenplay of the YearLee Chang-dongSecret SunshineCinematography of the YearJo Yong-kyuSecret SunshineKim Sung-taeWith a Girl of Black SoilBoundary Producer of the YearKim Jong-won (Film Company Kino)Beyond the Years New Director of the YearYoon Sung-hoMilky Way Liberation Front New Actor of the YearDaniel HenneyMy Father New Actress of the YearCha Soo-yeonPassing Rain
2008 Cine21 No. 684 (Published: December 23, 2008) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearNight and Day Director of the Year Kim Jee-woon The Good, the Bad, the Weird Actor of the YearHa Jung-wooThe ChaserBeastie BoysMy Dear Enemy Actress of the YearGong Hyo-jinCrush and BlushScreenplay of the YearNa Hong-jinThe ChaserLee Kyoung-miCrush and Blush Cinematography of the YearLee Mo-gaeThe Good, the Bad, the Weird Producer of the YearKim Soo-jin (Film Company Bidangil)The Chaser New Director of the YearNa Hong-jinThe Chaser New Actor of the YearKang Ji-hwanRough Cut New Actress of the YearPark Bo-youngScandal Makers
2009 Cine21 No. 734 (Published: December 22, 2009) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearMother Director of the YearBong Joon HoMother Actor of the YearSong Kang-hoThirst Actress of the YearKim Hye-jaMother Screenplay of the YearBong Joon Ho, Park Eun-gyoMother Cinematography of the YearHong Kyung-pyoMother Producer of the YearGo Young-jae (Studio Nareumdo)Old Partner New Director of the YearLee Yong-juPossessed New Actor of the YearYang Ik-juneBreathless New Actress of the YearBaek Jin-heeBandhobi
2010 Cine21 No. 785 (Published: December 28, 2010) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearPoetry Director of the YearHong Sang-sooHahahaOki's Movie Actor of the YearWon BinThe Man from Nowhere Actress of the YearSeo Young-heeBedevilled Screenplay of the YearLee Chang-dongPoetry Cinematography of the YearLee Mo-gaeI Saw the Devil Producer of the YearLee Tae-heon (Opus Pictures)The Man from Nowhere New Director of the YearJang Cheol-sooBedevilled New Actor of the YearSong Sae-byeokThe Servant New Actress of the YearLee Min-jungCyrano Agency
2011 Cine21 No. 835 (Published: December 27, 2011) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearThe Day He Arrives Director of the YearHong Sang-sooThe Day He Arrives Actor of the YearKim Yoon-seokThe Yellow SeaPunch Actress of the YearTang WeiLate Autumn New Actor of the YearLee Je-hoonBleak NightThe Front Line New Actress of the YearYoo Da-inRe-encounter Screenplay of the YearPark In-jeMoby Dick Cinematography of the YearKim Woo-hyungLate AutumnThe Front Line Producer of the YearShim Jae-myung (Myung Films)Leafie, A Hen into the Wild New Director of the YearYoon Sung-hyunBleak Night
2012 Cine21 No. 885 (Published: December 25, 2012) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearIn Another Country Director of the YearChung Ji-youngNational Security Actor of the YearLee Byung-hunMasquerade Actress of the YearJo Min-suPietà Screenplay of the YearLee Yong-juArchitecture 101 Cinematography of the YearKim Tae-kyungEungyo Producer of the YearChoi Yong-bae (Cheongeoram)26 Years New Director of the YearLee Kwang-kukRomance Joe New Actor of the YearJo Jung-sukArchitecture 101Almost Che New Actress of the YearKim Go-eunEungyo
2013 Cine21 No. 935 (Published: December 24, 2013) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearNobody's Daughter Haewon Director of the YearBong Joon HoSnowpiercer Actor of the YearSong Kang-hoSnowpiercerThe Face ReaderThe Attorney Actress of the YearJung Yu-miOur Sunhi Screenplay of the YearShin Yeon-shickThe Russian Novel Cinematography of the YearChoi Young-hwanThe Berlin File Producer of the YearLee Choon-yeon(Cine 2000)The Terror Live New Director of the YearKim Byeong-wooThe Terror Live New Actor of the YearYeo Jin-gooHwayi: A Monster Boy New Actress of the YearJung Eun-chaeNobody's Daughter Haewon
2014 Cine21 No. 985 (Published: December 23, 2014) CategoryWinnerWorkSource Film of the YearHill of Freedom Director of the YearZhang LüGyeongju Actor of the YearSusumu TerajimaHill of Freedom Actress of the YearChun Woo-heeHan Gong-juCart Screenplay of the YearKim Seong-hunA Hard Day Cinematography of the YearChoi Chan-minKundo: Age of the Rampant Producer of the YearShim Jae-myung(Myung Films)Cart New Director of the YearLee Su-jinHan Gong-ju New Actor of the YearPark Yoo-chunSea Fog New Actress of the YearChun Woo-heeHan Gong-juCart
2015 Cine21 No. 1035 (Published: December 22, 2015)