Lee Min-ho bags the top honor in the 19th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BiFan), organizers announced on Wednesday. He is expected to grace the opening ceremony on July 16, Asia One reported.

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One of the most sought-after leading man in South Korea today, Lee Min-ho is an indisputable pick for the Producers' Choice award. The recipient is jointly selected by BiFan and Korea Film Writers Association from celebrities active in the the industry.

Previous winners of the award include Hyun Bin, Ha Ji-won, Lee Byung-hun, Ha Jung-woo, and Son Ye-jin, KPop Fighting listed.

Sharing the recognition with Lee Min-ho is Moon Chae-won, whose supporting role in the period drama "Painter of the Wind" earned her massive attention in 2008. In 2011, she won Best New Actress at the Grand Bell Awards and Blue Dragon Film Awards.

According to a spokesperson of the film festival, Lee Min-ho's strong acting skills and undeniable charisma make him a box office star. His popularity that started in his breakout role as Gu Jun-pyo in "Boys Over Flowers" puts him at the forefront of the so-called second Hallyu Wave. Since his debut, Lee Min-ho has been casted in many top-grossing TV series and movies and has gained millions of fans and followers all over Asia.

The list of awardees also include Jung Woo and Kim Go-eun for the Fantasia Award, Soompi cited. Actors who covet this recognition are voted the most wanted to be seen by Bucheon citizens at the event.

Actor Oh Dal-soo, whose acting prowess was exhibited in a number of films including "Ode to My Father" (2014), "Miracle Cell no. 7" (2013), and "The Thieves" (2012), was chosen for the It Star Award. The accolade is given to actors with most impressive performance in movies.

BiFan is a non-competitive award-giving body that recognizes significant contributions to South Korean and Asian films. Genres that are given the spotlight include horror, mystery, thriller, and fantasy. In 2007, the film festival featured 225 films from 33 countries. This year, the film festival will run for 10 days, from July 16 to 26.

TagsLee Min Ho, 19th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, BiFan, Lee Min-ho awards, Producers' Choice, Moon Chae-won, Gu Jun-pyo, Boys over Flowers, Kim Go-eun, Jung Woo, Oh Dal-soo