The '2023 SBS Drama Awards', which took place on December 29 KST, was described as a “solemn” event of “mourning” by several media outlets and online netizens.
The annual awards ceremony was held on the same day as the late actor Lee Sun Gyun's private funeral ceremony this year. Therefore, most of the prominent participants that day were dressed in black to indicate their state of mourning. None of the cast and crew of the SBS dramarepayment', which starred Lee Sun Gyun, attended the awards ceremony for this reason.
Throughout the program, numerous fellow actors and actresses paid tribute to Lee Sun Gyun in their acceptance speeches, especially those who had previously worked with Lee Sun Gyun in previous projects.
However, not all stars present decided to have a memorial service, especially those who did not yet know the late actor.
When actress Lee Sung Kyung appeared on the red carpet at the “SBS Drama Awards 2023” in a white dress instead of the black dress code quietly “agreed upon” by her fellow actors, malicious criticism brewed on the Internet.
In response, many netizens quickly defended Lee Sung Kyung's decision to wear the white dress and raised their voices against any form of “pushing” people into mourning against their will.
Numerous Internet users commented:
“No one should be forced to mourn someone they may not have even known.”
“But it’s an awards ceremony, not a funeral? Why are they suddenly acting like Lee Sun Gyun was the only important thing that happened in 2023?”
“Come on, did a national hero die or something? What’s with this overly dramatic reaction?”
“Honestly, Lee Sung Kyung looked like one of the few sane people on the show. She looked very pretty. And there is no rule that says black is the only appropriate color for a funeral or other celebratory occasion. And is it me or did I do it? “Some of the actresses who wore black yesterday look like they wanted to show more skin in their black dresses rather than mourn?”
“Just so you know, it is perfectly acceptable to wear muted colors like black, white and gray to a funeral or to show that you are grieving. Black is not the absolute rule.”
“It was really refreshing to see Lee Sung Kyung in the white dress. Everyone else looked like they really wanted to be somewhere else.”
“An awards ceremony should be a celebration for everyone, not a place where a few impose their personal thoughts and opinions on others.”
“I don't like that the theater and film industry behaves as if a great hero has died. It's OK to grieve over someone you worked with or knew well, but there are many ways to grieve privately without making others feel uncomfortable.”