Seoul, South Korea – Veteran actor Lee Soon-jae, 89, has clinched the coveted Grand Prize at the 2024 KBS Drama Awards. The ceremony, originally scheduled for December 31st but postponed due to the Muan Jeju Air flight disaster, was broadcasted on January 11th. Jang Sung-gyu, Seo Hyun, and Moon Sang-min hosted the event.

Lee's remarkable performance in the KBS2 drama "Barking Sound" secured him the title of the oldest Grand Prize recipient in KBS Drama Awards history, surpassing the previous record held by Kim Hye-ja in 2008. The youngest male recipient was Kim Soo-hyun in 2015. Choi Soo-jong, who won four awards including for "Goryeo-Goryeo War" in 2023, holds the record for the most KBS Drama Awards.

"Barking Sound" is a heartwarming situational comedy about a group of senior actors and a retired police dog named Sophie, exploring the ups and downs of their later years. In the series, Lee's character develops a unique ability to hear a dog's voice, partnering with Sophie to solve mysterious cases in their neighborhood. Lee's exceptional acting skills and dedication to his role were evident in every scene.

During his acceptance speech, Lee stated, "I never thought I would experience something like this in my lifetime." He expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work on the drama, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the contributions of all cast and crew members. He also dedicated his award to his students at Gachon University, sharing a heartwarming story about their support and understanding during his busy filming schedule.

Lee's heartfelt speech moved the audience to tears, with many of his fellow actors wiping away their own. He further solidified his popularity by winning the Best Couple Award alongside his on-screen partner, the talented canine actress Ari (who played Sophie), and his human co-star Yeon Woo.

The ceremony concluded with a poignant tribute to actors who passed away in 2024, including Namgung Won, Oh Hyun-kyung, Nam Il-woo, Kwon Seong-deok, Kim Dong-soo, Kim Soo-mi, Park Ji-a, and Song Jae-rim.