It is the end of the year and for the hallyu stars, it is time for the 2007 awards for best actor, actress, drama and several other categories.

The awards not only add to the celebrity's resume, but they can help draw a higher pay grade for future projects. What is different for South Korean network broadcast awards is that there isn't a comprehensive awards platform that encompasses all the networks and shows, like the Emmys in the U.S. Instead, there are three awards shows, one for each broadcast network — KBS, MBC and SBS.

So even if an actor received the SBS best-actor award in 2007, this does not mean he is the best actor in the country. Basically, each individual network recognizes and gives awards to the stars in their shows. The awards shows will be telecast live in South Korea on Dec. 30 or Dec. 31. There are several categories: best new male actor, best new female actress, best couple, best actor and best actress for each network award show.

KBS, the Korean Broadcast System, released a list of nominees for its 2007 KBS Awards Show. For best actress: Choi Shi-ra, Kim Young Ae, Kim Hae-sook, Ha Ji-won, and Na Moon-hee. For best actor: Ahn Jae-wook ("Mr. Goodbye"), Lee Duk-hwa ("Dae Jo Young"), Yoo Oh Sung, Choi Soo Jong ("Dae Jo Young"), Kwon Sang-woo and Lee Jae Ryong ("Goodbye Solo"). My predictions: for best female, Ha Ji-won, and for best actor, Kwon Sang-woo.

MBC, Munhwa Broadcast Corp., has also released names of its candidates. For best actress: Ko Hyun Jung, Oh Yeon-su ("Jumong"), Ha Hee-ra, and Han Hae-jin ("Jumong"). For best actor: Kim Rae-won, Son Chang-min, Chun Kwang-ryul and Song Il-gook ("Jumong"). Lee Ki-woo, who was in Hawai'i for the 2006 Hawaii International Film Festival opening-night film, "Sad Movie," is nominated for best new actor. My picks for MBC would be: actor, Song Il-gook and, actress, Han Hae-jin because "Jumong" was such a huge hit in 2007.

SBS has taken a different approach and has not released a nominee list. But those who have been following the SBS dramas know that you can bet Chun Kwang-ryul ("King and I") and Pak Shin-yang ("Money War") are on top of the list. The network is expected to release the names of the winners on Dec. 30 or Dec. 31. My pick for best actor is Pak Shin-yang, because the series "Money War" has done so well.

THIS WEEK'S K-DRAMA SYNOPSES

'BRIDE FROM VIETNAM'

Episodes 39 and 40

Tonight at 7: Ji-young drags Se-mi to her mom's when Se-mi threatens to expose her past. Ji-young's mother tells Se-mi that her father's business benefited from a contract Ji-young gave. Se-mi comes home feverish but doesn't tell her mother she met with Ji-young.

Tonight at 8: Ji-young sees Se-mi at the lobby of her office and is terrified that she's there to tell Sung-il about her. Sung-il asks Se-mi to convince Young-su to go study in Philadelphia.

'KING & I'

Episodes 19 and 20

Tomorrow at 7:50 p.m.: So-hwa prays for the queen's safety, but the queen miscarries. The queen asks the king to take So-hwa as the next queen and passes away. Chun-dong finishes his training period and becomes an official eunuch.

Tuesday at 7:50 p.m.: The queen mother questions all the concubines about the petition. So-hwa pleads guilty for having her name mentioned in the petition but begs the queen to uncover the truth.

'LOBBYIST'

Episodes 13 and 14

Wednesday at 7:50 p.m.: Maria asks Tae-hyuk to hire her as Han Sung's lobbyist. But Tae-hyuk says no, saying she could put herself in danger. Maria accompanies Tae-hyuk to the shipyard and runs into Harry.

Thursday at 7:50 p.m.: Harry and Chairman Kim are arrested after a police chase. But Madam Chae bails Harry out. Madam Chae makes an offer to hire Harry, and Harry accepts on the condition that she allow Andy and Susie's relationship.

'THE TIME BETWEEN DOG & WOLF'

Episodes 13 and 14

Friday at 7:50 p.m.: Ji-woo takes her anger out on Byun. Su-hyun is stopped as he is about to leave the country and is brought to NIS.

Saturday at 7:50 p.m.: Min-ki stares at Su-hyun in disbelief, and Su-hyun tells Sang-shik he'll take care of Min-ki and takes him outside.

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