2024 Raspberry Film Festival: Worst acting, worst behaving actors, & more

The 8th Raspberry Film Festival, also known as the Sanddalki Awards, an annual event recognizing the "worst" in Korean cinema, has unveiled its 2024 winners. Hosted by Sports Kyunghyang, the awards highlight underwhelming films, performances, and celebrity behavior that disappointed audiences and critics alike.

This year, 51 movie journalists from leading domestic outlets cast their votes, assessing Korean commercial films released between December 2023 and November 30, 2024. From lackluster acting to off-screen controversies, the festival's results paint a vivid picture of the industry's lowest moments.

2024 Raspberry Film Festival: Winners of the worst in South Korean cinema complete list

The following list highlights the recipients of the 2024 Raspberry Awards, which spotlight the year's most underwhelming achievements in film and performance. The awards are divided into three categories: Worst Film, Worst Acting, and Worst Manners. These selections are based on critics' votes and comments, reflecting the industry's most notable disappointments.

Here is the complete list of the winners of the award:

1)Worst Film

1st Place: The Plot (Director: Lee Yo-seop)

The Plot, a 2024 South Korean crime thriller starring Gang Dong-won, is an adaptation of the 2009 Hong Kong film Accident. It follows Yeong-il, a designer who stages murders to look like accidental deaths, but becomes entangled in an unforeseen incident.

Released on May 29, 2024, The Plot topped the list with 15 votes from the panel of the Raspberry Film Festival. Critics labeled it a “bottom-tier genre film” that wasted a good story and talented cast. Comments included:

“The worst possible outcome for a promising project.”

“It obliterated all entertainment value.”

2nd Place: Amazon Bullseye (Director: Kim Chang-ju)

Amazon Bullseye a 2024 South Korean comedy-drama starred Ryu Seung-ryong, Jin Seon-kyu, Yeom Hye-ran, and Go Kyung-pyo. Released on October 30, 2024, it followed ex-archery medalist Jin-bong, who enlists Amazonian warriors to help save his career.

The film received 12 votes from the panel of Raspberry Film Festival, as one of the worst films and criticized for being outdated and racially insensitive. Remarks included:

“A retrograde comedy unfit for today’s era.”

“Setting it in a fictional country doesn’t erase its racism.”

3rd Place: Project Silence (Director: Kim Tae-gon)

Project Silence a 2023 South Korean disaster thriller premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2023. It was released in South Korea on July 12, 2024. It received 11 votes from the panel of the Raspberry Film Festival, labeling this high-budget film as a disappointment. Voters described it as:

“A waste of resources and talent.”

“A delusion that money alone can save a movie.”

4th Place (Tie): Wonderland, Dead Man, and Devils Stay

Three South Korean films, Wonderland, Dead Man, and Devils Stay, each received 10 votes as poorly executed projects despite their potential from the panel of Raspberry Film Festival.

Wonderland (June 5, 2024, theatrical; July 26, Netflix) is a sci-fi romance by Kim Tae-yong, starring Tang Wei, Bae Suzy, and Park Bo-gum. It explores interactions with an AI version of deceased loved ones.

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Dead Man (February 7, 2024), a crime thriller by Ha Joon-won, stars Cho Jin-woong and Kim Hee-ae. It follows a falsely accused businessman’s quest for revenge.

Devils Stay (November 14, 2024) stars Park Shin-yang and Lee Min-ki in a horror story about a funeral turned demonic possession. Critics cited all three for failing to deliver on their intriguing premises.

2) Worst Acting

1st Place: Kang Dong-won in The Plot

Kang Dong-won in The Plot (Image via Instagram/@itsnew_movie)

Kang Dong-won received 11 votes for his lackluster performance from the panel of the Raspberry Film Festival. Critics stated:

“Monotonous with no emotional depth.”

“After 21 years, audiences are still unsure about him.”

“He’s aging without improving, and height alone isn’t enough these days.”

2nd Place: No Winner

The panel left this slot empty with 10 votes, citing the lack of a deserving candidate.

3rd Place: Ju Ji-hoon in Project Silence

Ju Ji-hoon garnered 8 votes. His acting was called “over-the-top” and “hard to watch.” Critics remarked:

“Years of experience didn’t prevent this disastrous performance.”

4th Place (Tie): Song Joong-ki and Song Seung-heon

Song Joong-ki in My Name Is Loh Kiwan (Image via Netflix)

Both received 7 votes from the boards of the Raspberry Film Festival.

Song Joong-ki, in My Name Is Loh Kiwan, was criticized for “inconsistent acting” and an awkward Yanbian accent.

Song Seung-heon, in Hidden Face, was labeled “flat” and “overshadowed by co-stars.”

3) Worst Manners

1st Place: Jung Woo-sung

Jung Woo-sung received 22 votes from the boards of the Raspberry Film Festival. His controversies included paternity issues with model Moon Ga-bi and inappropriate DMs to female celebrities. Comments included:

“A 30-year untouchable image shattered in days.”

“He tarnished his legacy and the industry’s reputation.”

2nd Place: Youn Yuh-jung

Youn Yuh-jung earned 18 votes from the boards of the Raspberry Film Festival for rude interview behavior. Critics noted:

“Asking journalists’ ages and making casual remarks crossed the line.”

“Even for a veteran, there are boundaries.”

3rd Place (Tie): Jeon Do-yeon and Lee Sun-kyun

Jeon Do-yeon in Kill Boksoon (Image via X@netflix)

Both received 4 votes from the boards of the Raspberry Film Festival.

Jeon Do-yeon faced criticism for her attitude during Revolver promotions. She reportedly showed discomfort during interviews and an appearance on You Quiz on the Block.

Lee Sun-kyun was faulted for causing tension in group interviews.