Ko Chang-seok Wins Best Supporting Actor at 45th Golden Cinematography Awards for 'The Match'

Actor Ko Chang-seok has been honored with the Best Supporting Actor award at the 45th Golden Cinematography Awards for his role in the film 'The Match' (original title: 'Seungbu').

The awards ceremony, held on the 2nd in Seoul, recognized Ko Chang-seok's compelling performance in the movie, which was released in March.

'The Match' also took home the award for Best Picture, marking a double celebration for the film and its cast and crew.

The Golden Cinematography Awards, established in 1977, aims to promote and celebrate the artistry and technical excellence of Korean cinema, with awards decided by members of the Korean Film Cameramen Association.

'The Match' tells the story of Go-don-hyeon, hailed as Korea's greatest Go legend, as he seeks to reclaim his position atop the game after a pivotal loss to his disciple. The film resonated with audiences, surpassing 2 million viewers in just 27 days after its release, making it the second Korean film of 2025 to reach this milestone.

Ko Chang-seok portrayed Cheon Seung-pil, a professional Go player and journalist deeply familiar with the game's emotional spectrum. His nuanced portrayal of Cheon's passionate dedication to Go solidified his reputation as a dependable, 'quality actor'.

Accepting the award, Ko Chang-seok expressed his gratitude: "Thank you. I want to share this honor with my family, Director Kim Hyung-ju, Cinematographer Yoo Eok, and everyone involved with 'The Match'." He added humorously, "Seeing so many directors I've worked with here has really energized me. I feel I need to do better for our filming crews. I should grab a drink with my current team tomorrow."

Since his debut in the 2001 film 'A Short Summer, Superman', Ko Chang-seok has impressed audiences with his diverse roles in films like 'The Grand Heist', 'Secretly, Greatly', 'The Technicians', 'Project Wolf Hunting', and 'The Killers', as well as dramas such as 'Ad Genius Lee Tae-baek', 'Good Doctor', 'Kill Me, Heal Me', 'Encounter', and 'The Good Detective 2'. His extensive stage work in plays and musicals further cements his status as a versatile entertainer.

Netizens reacted positively, with comments like "Ko Chang-seok's acting was top-notch! I really need to watch 'The Match' now," and "Congratulations on the Golden Cinematography Awards! I'm even more excited that 'The Match' also won Best Picture." Many also praised his dedication, saying, "It's great to see his passionate performances on stage and screen."