South Korean actor Lee Byung Hun, the protagonist in the 2009 TV espionage drama "IRIS," received the Best Actor in Asia award Monday on the opening day of the four-day International Drama Festival in Tokyo.

"I have found it really fortunate that I am living as an actor in this age," Lee said upon receiving the award.

Lee was selected for the award as he has "shown exceptional acting talent in a non-Japanese Asian drama," according to a statement issued earlier by the executive committee of the festival, organized by the National Association of Commercial Broadcasters in Japan and NHK.

"IRIS," a drama series produced by Korean Broadcasting System, was broadcast in Japan this year after it proved hugely popular in South Korea last year.