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Director Jang Jae-hyun (fifth from left), who won both Best Director and Best Screenplay for Exhuma at the 23rd Directors Cut Awards held privately on May 20, gives direction to actor Yoo Hae-jin (second from right) inside a pit on the set of Exhuma. / Source: Showbox

The Korean Film Directors’ Association (DGK) announced on May 21 that Exhuma swept four major categories at the 23rd Directors Cut Awards, held privately the previous day.

According to DGK, director Jang Jae-hyun took home both Best Director and Best Screenplay in the film category for Exhuma. The film also earned Kim Go-eun the Best Actress award and Lee Do-hyun the Best New Actor award.

Released in February 2024, Exhuma is an occult horror hit that follows a geomancer, undertaker, and shaman as they become entangled in bizarre events after relocating a cursed grave. The film drew over 11.91 million viewers, making it the highest-grossing Korean film of the year.

In other film categories, Lee Byung-hun won Best Actor for The Match, while Kim Geum-soon was named Best New Actress for The Star of Ulsan. Nam Dong-hyeop (Handsome Guys) received Best New Director, and Oh Jung-min (Firstborn) was honored with the Vision Award, which recognizes bold and distinctive work.

In the series category, Netflix’s A Killer Paradox claimed three trophies: Best Director (Lee Chang-hee), Best Actor (Lee Hee-jun), and Best New Actor (Kim Yo-han). Coupang Play’s Family Plan earned Bae Doona Best Actress, and Moon Geun-young won Best New Actress for her performance in Netflix’s Hellbound: Season 2.