Lee Gyu-lee is a business writer at The Korea Times, focusing primarily on IT & telecommunications, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and KOTRA. Prior to this, she has covered a wide range of cultural news, from film, television and K-pop to lifestyle and fashion.
Song Kang-ho becomes first Asian to receive Locarno film Excellence Award
Actor Song Kang-ho while filming “A Taxi Driver” (2017). Korea Times file
By Lee Gyu-lee
By Lee Gyu-lee
Korean actor Song Kang-ho will receive the Excellence Award at Switzerland's 72nd Locarno Film Festival in August, the organizer said Thursday.
Song, 52, one of Korea's most prolific actors, is the first Asian to win the international award.
It recognizes the unique contribution made by internationally acclaimed actors or actresses to the film industry. Past recipients include John Malkovich, Edward Norton and Ethan Hawke.
"Thus far the recipients have all been American or European, but for me it was important to open up this prize to Asian cinema," festival artistic director Lili Hinstin said.
She described Song as the “peerless interpreter of the variety and intensity of emotions generated by Korean cinema,” emphasizing the diversity of his work.
Song will receive the award on August 12 in Locarno. He will also hold a panel discussion the next day.
The actor debuted in 1996 with a minor role in the film "The Day a Pig Fell into the Well." He became internationally renowned after starring in the award-winning film “The Host” (2006). His latest movie “Parasite,” directed by Bong Joon-ho, is set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival next week.