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The 2015 Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards awarded the biggest hallyu influencers with the Prime Minister’s and President’s Commendation Awards on Thursday.

Actress Jun Ji-hyun took the President’s Commendation, along with six other older-generation stars.

IU, Park Shin-hye, Lee Jong-suk, JYJ, Oh Dal-soo and Kim Jong-kook were among the eight nominees for Prime Minister’s Award.

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Jun walked into the camera flashes with a seven-month baby bump. On the stage, she expressed concerned happiness as the youngest person to bag this year’s President’s prize.

“I’m not sure if it’s okay for me to receive such a big award so early in my life. I’ll communicate more with fans and contribute more to hallyu (in the future),” she said.

The trophy is like an early birthday gift to Jun, who turns 35 at midnight.

“Pinocchio” actress Park Shin-hye and “Chat-Shire” singer IU were both nominated for the Prime Minister’s Commendation, along with actors Oh Dal-soo and Lee Jong-suk and singers JYJ and Kim Jong-kook. Eight laureates received the Prime Minister’s Commendation.

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Park Shin-hye said she had always wanted to become an actor who could positively touch the audience. She finished off her quick speech by thanking Christianity, her religion.

IU was thankful to receive the big governmental award and said she would continue to perform her best.

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Oh Dal-soo thanked the audience, and gave her wishes for actress Jun Ji-hyun, who costarred with her in the recent box-office hit “Assassination,” to stay healthy with the baby.

Lee Jong-suk kept it short, saying he was always too nervous when receiving awards. He thanked his fans and promised to return with better work.

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JYJ took to the stage in full trio, with soldier-on-service Jaejoong dressed in military uniform. Member Junsu took the microphone as a representative of the three, thanking and hoping to further spread hallyu.

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Kim Jong-kook mentioned the popular television entertainment show “Running Man,” which he believed to be the impetus to his global stardom, and shared the honor with the other members of the program.

Other hallyu stars who have previously won Prime Minister’s Award are Lee Min-ho and Kim Soo-hyun in 2014, 2NE1 in 2012 and Girls’ Generation in 2011.

Naver’s real-time broadcasting app V allows fans to interact with their favorite K-pop stars through live broadcasts. The app is available for Android and iOS. For more information, visit www.vlive.tv.

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

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Related article: Jun Ji-hyun, JYJ to receive Korean Popular Culture and Arts Award