Han Ji-min accepted The Hollywood Reporter’s Trailblazer Award at a glamorous gala overlooking Busan on Wednesday evening, noting that her artistic path is just getting started.
The award was presented at American Film Night, a joint effort by THR and the Motion Picture Association (MPA), held on the 33rd floor of the Park Hyatt Busan, offering panoramic views of the harbor and Gwangan Bridge.
The actress, set to co-star with Lee Byung-hun in Disney+’s highly anticipated remake of The Americans titled The Koreans, expressed excitement about receiving the honor and working “beyond language barriers.”
“I loved the original series, so I was eager to see how it would be reinterpreted for a Korean audience. Participating in this adaptation has been deeply meaningful, and it represents a new challenge for me—please stay tuned.”
As the 31st Busan International Film Festival progressed into its second night, numerous international industry professionals paused the screenings and celebrations to acknowledge Han Ji‑min’s two‑decade‑long career in TV and film.
THR’s Asia bureau chief Patrick Brzeski presented the award after opening remarks by Urmila Venugopalan, MPA’s Asia‑Pacific president and managing director. Han was praised as an artist “whose work broadens storytelling’s horizon, bringing skill, bravery, and a unique perspective to each new chapter.”
This ceremony marked the inaugural presentation of THR’s Trailblazer Award in Korea. The honor celebrates artists whose careers and creative decisions shed light on intricate, cross‑border narratives and broaden representation in global entertainment. Previous recipients include Jean Smart, David Oyelowo, Eva Longoria, Matt Bomer, America Ferrera, and the Shogun cast members Tadanobu Asano and Takehiro Hira.
Attendees included Bedford Park star and Busan competition juror Moon Choi, KPop Demon Hunters producer Agnes Lee, and KOFIC chairperson Sang‑jun Han. Disney’s delegation featured Jon Wax, executive VP of international original television; Carol Choi, executive VP overseeing Asian originals; and Kim Soyoun, managing director of Walt Disney Korea.
Also present were Alexander Allen from the U.S. Embassy and Ellen Kim, director of BIFF’s Asian Contents & Film Market. Executives from Korean firms such as CJ ENM, Barunson C&C and KT StudioGenie, along with Korea‑based leaders from Sony Pictures and Universal Pictures, attended as well.
Han Ji‑min first captured Korean audiences’ hearts with the revenge drama Resurrection (2005), later leading popular series such as Yi San (2007‑08), Rooftop Prince (2012), Our Blues (2022) and Love Scout (2025). On film, her portrayal of an ex‑convict shielding an abused girl in Miss Baek (2018) won her Best Actress at the 2018 Blue Dragon Film Awards and the 2019 Baeksang Arts Awards—two of South Korea’s top honors. She has remained a vibrant force in the Korean Wave.
Up next is The Koreans, where Han Ji‑min and Lee Byung‑hun portray North Korean spies embedded in South Korea during the 1990s. The original series earned a Golden Globe for Best Drama in 2019 and consistently ranks among the greatest TV shows of the last 25 years.
Han also voiced her desire for increased cross‑border collaboration.
“I hope Korean creators and artists worldwide will connect to produce more meaningful, diverse projects,” she said. “I will strive to honor the roles entrusted to me, and I thank everyone who has supported my work and brought me joy.”
The evening also highlighted the ongoing creative partnership between Hollywood and Korea. As KOFIC chairperson Sang‑jun Han noted, the conversations over champagne and canapés could spark future co‑productions and collaborations.
“This gathering transcends cultural exchange to foster tangible collaboration in investment, screenwriting, and production,” he added. “It also provides a genuine chance to craft more impactful content for the worldwide audience. Achieving that requires nurturing an environment where creators and professionals from both countries can work together freely, respect each other’s cultures, and grow side by side.”
For MPA’s Venugopalan, the evening embodied those connections and the opportunities that lie ahead.
“It clearly demonstrates how extensively our studios are investing in and prioritizing Korea,” she said. “This event offers an ideal platform to highlight that commitment and to show our collective dedication to this vital market.”
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