South Korea‘s Director’s Cut Awards return next month for the 23rd edition of the annual awards ceremony celebrating cinematic excellence. Just a few years back, the TV series category was also included to honour praise-worthy performances elevating K-drama standards.
On April 22, the nominees for the upcoming ceremony hosted by the Directors Guild of Korea (DGK) were announced. Interestingly, Hollywood star Robert Pattinson also earned a nod in the Best Actor category, owing to his big-screen collaboration with legendary South Korean auteur Bong Joon Ho for Mickey 17.
His unexpected inclusion to the cut will have him compete against Squid Game star Lee Byung Hun – also nominated in the drama category – for his performance in his new film The Match. The category also honoured veteran Korean actor Choi Min Sik (Exhuma), Yoon Joo Sang (The Land of Morning Calm) and Yoo Ah In (The Match) as Best Actor (Film) nominees.
On the other hand, top K-drama actress Kim Go Eun achieved wonders, securing a double-nod for her contributions to Korean movies Love in the Big City, Exhuma.
Here are the 23 Directors’ Cut Awards nominees! Eligible productions from the film and drama backgrounds had to be released between January 1, 2024, and March 31, 2025. This year’s ceremony will be held on May 20 at 7 pm KST.
2025 Director’s Cut Awards nominees list
Best Actress (film)
- Kim Go Eun for Love in the Big City
- Kim Go Eun for Exhuma
- Shin Hae Sun for Following
- Yang Hee Kyung for The Land of Morning Calm
- Kim Jae Hwa for Blesser
Best Actor (film)
- Robert Pattinson for Mickey 17
- Lee Byung Hyun for The Match
- Yoo Ah In for The Match
- Choi Min Sik for Exhuma
- Yoon Joo Sang for The Land of Morning Calm
Best New Actress (film)
- Kim Shin Rok for Uprising
- Kim Geum Soon for Star of Ulsan
- Kim Ji Ahn for Exhuma
- Han Sun Hwa for Pilot
- Yang Hee Kyung for The Land of Morning Calm
Best New Actor (film)
- Noh Sang Hyun for Love in the Big City
- Lee Do Hyun for Exhuma
- Kang Seung Ho for House of the Seasons
- Hong Kyung for Troll Factory
- Yoon Joo Sang for The Land of the Morning Calm
Best Actress (drama)
- Esom for LTNS
- Chun Woo Hee for The 8 Show
- Bae Doon for Family Matters
- Kim Hye Joon for A Shop for Killers
- Jeon So Nee for Parasyte: The Grey
Best Actor (drama)
- Ahn Jae Song for LTNS
- Lee Byung Hun for Squid Game 2
- Ryoo Seung Bum for Family Matters
- Lee Hee Joon for A Killer Paradox
- Choi Woo Shik for A Killer Paradox
Best New Actress (drama)
- Lee Su Hyun for Family Matters
- Geum Hae Na for A Shop for Killers
- Lee Soo Kyung for Love in the Big City
- Jung SI Yeo for A Killer Paradox
- Moon Geun Young for Hellbound 2
Best New Actor (drama)
- Lomon for Family Matters
- Park Sung Hoon for Squid Game 2
- Hyung Bong Sik for A Killer Paradox
- Kim Yo Han for A Killer Paradox
- Jin Ho Eun for Love in the Big City
Best Director (film)
- Nam Dong Hyub for Handsome Guys
- Bong Joon Ho for Mickey 17
- Woo Min Ho for Harbin
- Hur Jin For for A Normal Family
- Kim Hyung Joo for The Match
- Jang Jae Hyun for Exhuma
Best New Director (film)
- Kim Se Hwi for Following
- Nam Dong Hyub for Handsome Guys
- Park Hong Jun for Work to Do
- Oh Jung Min for House of Seasons
- Kim Dong Chul for Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning
Best Director (drama)
- Park Chan Wook for The Sympathizer
- Lee Chang Hee for A Killer Paradox
- Im Dae Hyung for LTNS
- Kim Gok, Kim Sun for Family Matters
- Hwang Dong Hyuk for Squid Game 2
- Yeon Sang Ho for Parasyte: The Grey
Best Screenplay (film)
- Bong Joon Ho for Mickey 17
- Oh Jung Min for House of the Seasons
- Kim Hyung Joo, Yoon Jong Bin for The Match
- Park Ri Woong for The Land of Morning Calm
- Jang Jae Hyun for Exhuma
Best Vision (film)
- Park Ri Woong for The Land of Morning Calm
- Oh Jung Min for House of the Seasons
- Lee Mi Rang for Connecting My Daughter
- Kim Da Min for FAZ
- Kim Dong Chul for Exorcism Chronicles: The Beginning
- Park Hong Jun for Work to Do