'IRIS'

Lee Byung-hun of the Hollywood box-office hit “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra,” was the biggest winner in the 2009 KBS Drama Awards, romping off with the Daesang Award for his role in the Korean spy drama series “IRIS.” 

“IRIS” is the most expensive Korean drama series to date with a production budget of 20 billion won (about $17 million). The show stars Lee, Kim Tae-hee, Jung Jun-ho, Kim Seung-woo, Kim So-yeon and T.O.P, a member of K-pop idol group Big Bang.

It also topped the ratings from its first episode to its finale with an average rating of 32 percent, based on data from TNS Media Korea.

The Top Excellence Awards went to actor Sohn Hyun-joo of “Sons of Sol Pharmacy” and actress Chae Shi-ra of “Iron Empress.”

In the Excellence Awards, “Boys over Flowers” stars Lee Min-ho and Kim So-eun won the Newcomer Awards. Lee shot to stardom for his role as Goo Joon Pyo in the series.

Ku Hye-sun, who played Gum Jan Di in “Boys over Flowers,” won as best actress in a drama series along with Kim Tae-hee of “IRIS.”

In the Daily Series category, the winners are actor Oh Man-seok and actress Jo Ahn of “Everybody Cha Cha Cha.”

Ji Jin-hee of “The Man Who Can’t Get Married” and Kim Ah-joong of “Accidental Couple” won as best actor and best actress in the miniseries category.

In the Drama Series, voted best actors were Kim Seung-woo and Jung Jun-ho, who both star in “IRIS.”

“Hometown of Legends” stars Kim Kyu-chul and Kim Sung-eun won in the One-Act Special category..

The best supporting actors were Yoon Joo-sang of “Sons of Sol Pharmacy” and Choi Chul-ho of “Iron Empress.” The best supporting actress was Moon Jung-hee of “Iron Empress.”

Park Chang-ik of “Father’s House” won as best youth actor while Park Eun-bin of “Iron Empress” was chosen as best youth actress.

Other winners are:

Best Couple: Yoon Eun-hye and Yoon Sang-hyun of “My Fair Lady," Lee Byung-hun and Kim Tae-hee of “IRIS,” Lee Pil-mo and Yoo Sun  of “Sons of Sol Pharmacy,” and Lee Min-ho and Ku Hye-sun  of “Boys over Flowers”

Netizens’ Award (Actor): Lee Byung-hun of “IRIS”

Netizens’ Award (Actress): Ku Hye-sun  of “Boys over Flowers”

Popularity Award: Yoon Sang-hyun, Yoon Eun-hye  of “My Fair Lady” and  Kim So-yeon of “IRIS”

Writer of the Year: Jo Jung-sun  of “Sons of Sol Pharmacy”

Lifetime Achievement Award: Yeo Woon-kye