Actors Hwang Jung-min and Yoo Ah-in, who played rival characters in the 10-million ticket-seller “Veteran,” will be rivals once again -- this time for Best Actor at the 52nd Grand Bell Awards, to be held Friday.

A total of four actors were nominated by the event organizers for the Best Actor nod: Son Hyun-joo for “The Chronicles of Evil,” Ha Jung-woo for “Assassination,” and Hwang Jung-min for “Ode to My Father.” Yoo Ah-in was nominated for his roles in both “Veteran” and “The Throne.”

Hwang Jung-min (left) and Yoo Ah-in (OSEN)

This year’s Grand Bell Awards will only crown the actors who are present at the event, making it impossible for representatives to run trophy errands.

The organizers confirmed Hwang will attend, raising public speculation for his win.

In “Ode to My Father,” Hwang played Deok-soo, a single character embodying both a loyal son and a sacrificing father, whose life through Korea’s tumultuous modern times brought nostalgia and tears to viewers. The film garnered over 14 million ticket sales.

Yoo, on the other hand, stormed cinemas with his roles as a pure-evil corporate scion in “Veteran” and the tragic crown prince starved to death by the king, his father, in “The Throne.”

The winner of the award will be announced at the 52nd Grand Bell Awards at KBS Hall in Yeouido, Seoul on Friday. The ceremony will broadcast live from 7:20 p.m. on KBS2.

By Lim Jeong-yeo (kaylalim@heraldcorp.com)

Related article: 'Veteran' exceeds $1 mln at North American box office