"Burning," the latest movie from award-winning South Korean filmmaker Lee Chang-dong, won best picture at the 55th annual Daejong Film Awards on Monday.

Lee's first feature in eight years, "Burning," starring Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun and Jeon Jong-seo, depicts the insecurity, helplessness and anger of young Korean people through the story of a part-time deliveryman and aspiring novelist, and two of his friends.

Premiering in the main competition section of the 71st Cannes Film Festival, the film won the Fipresci International Critics' Prize for best film in the category.

It beat out strong contenders -- "The Spy Gone North," "The Fortress," "Along With the Gods: The Last 49 Days" and "1987: When the Day Comes" -- to win the top Daejong award.

"As you already know, there were lots of good films, both commercial and independent, nominated for the prize. I'm very pleased with the honor," said Lee Jun-dong, CEO of Pine House Film, the studio behind "Burning," in his acceptance speech.

"There were many complications with this film. The shooting was delayed for one year. But we were able to make it because all the actors and the filming staff waited for it, taking tremendous risks. We appreciate them for this," he added.

Jang Joon-hwan won best director for "1987: When the Day Comes," a local box office hit about historical nationwide protests that led to the eventual overthrow of the military-backed government in June 1987. The historical epic also won the best planning award.




Lee Seong-min and Hwang Jung-min shared best actor for director Yoon Jong-bin's political thriller "The Spy Gone North," while best actress went to Na Moon-hee of "I Can Speak."

"Microhabitat" earned its writer-director Jeon Go-woon best screenplay and best rookie director.

"Believer" landed best supporting actor and actress awards for its co-stars, the late Kim Joo-hyuk and Jin Seo-yeon.

The Daejong Awards also gave Kim a special award to commemorate the first anniversary of his death.

Lee Ga-sub of "The Seeds of Violence" and Kim Dae-mi of "The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion" picked up the best rookie actor and actress awards.

As South Korea's equivalent of the Academy Awards, the Daejong Film Awards were launched in 1962 to boost the quality of Korean films and to support the industry. (Yonhap)