Actors Kim Hye-soo (left) and Yoo Yeon-seok 

Actors Kim Hye-soo (left) and Yoo Yeon-seok, the co-hosts of the Blue Dragon Film Awards for the third straight year, on Feb. 9 make their entrance on the red carpet. "As the pandemic forced the awards ceremony to be postponed for nearly two months, the long wait will make this event more meaningful," Kim said. "I hope that this is a time for loving movies without distancing."

Nominees for Blue Dragons arrive on the red carpet ahead of the ceremony.

A red carpet event was held ahead of the main event without comments from actors to prevent the spread of COVID-19. From left are Lee Jung-jae from "Deliver Us from Evil" (nominee for Best Actor); Park Hye-soo from "Samjin Company English Class" (Best Supporting Actress), Kim Hee-ae from "Moonlit Winter" (Best Actress), Lee Re from "Peninsula" (Best Supporting Actress) and Jung Woo-sung from "Steel Rain 2: Summit" (Best Actor).

Actor Song Joong-ki opens the Blue Dragon Film Awards.

Actor Song Joong-ki, who starred in Korea's first sci-fi blockbuster "Space Sweepers," opened the awards ceremony. He mentioned the effects of COVID-19 on the Korean film industry, saying, "It breaks my heart to be unable to enjoy movies, a small comfort in daily life." He expressed hope for the industry, however, saying, "Korean cinema has kept running even in unprecedented situations and will never stop."

Actors Yoo Ah-in (left) and Ra Mi-ran received the Blue Dragons for Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively.

Yoo Ah-in received the Best Actor award for his role in "Voice of Silence," the story of two men in a gang who suddenly must care for a kidnapped girl. In the movie, he made a strong impression by using only facial expressions and gestures in playing a mute character. Yoo jokingly said in his acceptance speech, "I'm ready to be used anywhere by anyone, so knock yourself out."

The honor of Best Actress went to Ra Mi-ran for her performance in "Honest Candidate," a comedy about a pathologically lying legislator who suddenly cannot lie. The first actor in a comedy to win this award, she dropped a humorous line in her acceptance speech by saying, "Why are you doing this to me?" She added, "Given how last year was a difficult period for people, the award seems to imply that even small laughter means a lot."

Winners at the 41st Blue Dragon Film Awards take a group photo wearing masks amid the pandemic.

The hosting of this year's Blue Dragon ceremony was altered due to the pandemic. Actors had to sit apart from one another using partitions and wear masks. While the main awards were given live with no media personnel attending and the audience watching online, others were granted earlier. From left are award winners Jung Yu-mi (Popular Star), Yoo Teo (Best New Actor), Yoo Ah-in (Best Actor and Popular Star), Ra Mi-ran (Best Actress), Kang Mal-geum (Best New Actress), E Som (Best Supporting Actress) and Park Jung-min (Best Supporting Actor).

km137426@korea.kr