Singer-actor Park Yu-chun grabbed the Rookie Actor Award at the 34th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards for “Sea Fog” on Thursday, marking a successful big-screen debut.

Actor Park Yu-chun attends the 34th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards in Seoul on Thursday. (OSEN)

Park, 29, was recognized for his excellent acting skills in the film, in which he played the part of Dong-sik, an obedient young sailor on a Korean fishing ship. “Sea Fog” is better known by its official Korean title “Haemoo.”

On the podium, the hallyu actor thanked the production crew and his fellow actors for their wonderful teamwork. “I gained a lot by simply taking part in ‘Haemoo.’ (I did not expect to win the honor.) I will put myself out more to enhance my acting,” he said.

The film, directed by Shim Sung-bo, centers on a little-known tragedy that occurred in 2001. The crew members of the Korean fishing ship the Taechangho allegedly threw the bodies of 25 Chinese stowaways overboard after they suffocated to death. These stowaways were hiding in the vessel’s fish storage compartment in order to illegally enter Korea, seeking the Korean dream.

Veteran actor Kim Yoon-shik stars as the captain of the ship. “Snowpiercer” director Bong Joon-ho served as an executive producer of the film.

The Best Film Award was presented to “Hill of Freedom”, directed by Hong Sang-soo and starring Japanese actor Ryo Kase and Korean actress Moon So-ri. The awards for best lead actor and best lead actress went to Choi Min-sik of the historical film “Roaring Currents” and Chun Woo-hee of “Han Gong-ju,” respectively.

The awardees were selected through a vote conducted among members of The Korean Association of Film Critics. The organization has awarded outstanding acting talents annually since 1980.

By Chung Joo-won (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)