Lee Young-ae receives thank-you letter from Uzbek first lady
Korean actress Lee Young-ae shakes hands with Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a state banquet hosted by President Moon Jae-in at Cheong Wa Dae in November 2017. Uzbek First Lady Ziroatkhon Hoshimova, fourth from left, sent a letter recently to thank Lee for her role in “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors,” a big-budget K-drama she starred in in 2017, now being broadcast for free in Uzbekistan. Yonhap
By Yi Whan-woo
Lee Young-ae, one of Korea's most famous actresses, has received a letter of gratitude from the first lady of Uzbekistan recently in recognition of a favor she did for Uzbek television viewers.
According to her agency, Ziroatkhon Hoshimova, the wife of Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, thanked Lee in the letter in June for helping provide “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors,” a big-budget K-drama she starred in in 2017, for free broadcast in Uzbekistan by donating the copyright.
The first lady wrote that she was “very pleased to hear about Lee's role” in helping the soap opera's broadcasting in Uzbekistan.
She called Lee's action “a beautiful one” and that it is “more meaningful in the time of COVID-19 pandemic.”
“I am always pleased and appreciative for Lee's love and affection toward Uzbekistan. Lee's good deeds have touched us deep inside our heart,” the first lady added.
Aired in Korea from January to May 2017, the drama had Lee playing Shin Saimdang, a Joseon-era lady who is seen as the model woman for her talents in art and literature while also being a respected wife and mother.
The 28-episode drama marked Lee's television comeback after she rose to international stardom with 2003 drama “Dae Jang Geum” (or “Jewel in the Palace”) that led the Korean wave in the 2000s.
With “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors” being produced at the cost of nearly 22 billion won ($18.2 million), its producer Group Eight went on a sales spree of its copyrights on the international market to generate revenue.
The firm had sought to sell copyrights in Uzbekistan as well but Lee “persistently” convinced its executives to “donate” the copyrights instead, out of concern that the soaring price might deprive fans in Uzbekistan of the chance to enjoy Korean dramas including hers, according to her agency.
Lee especially was keen about helping 600,000 ethnic Koreans in Central Asia, including 200,000 in Uzbekistan, to get to know more about Korea and its culture through dramas.
She personally spent more than 100 million won on dubbing and other relevant steps for the soap opera to be aired in Uzbekistan.
Her popularity in Uzbekistan has been notably high, with “Dae Jang Geum” recording a 97 percent viewer rating there.
Lee was among the guests when President Moon Jae-in hosted Uzbek President Mirziyoyev and first lady Hoshimova at a state banquet during their visit to Seoul in November 2017.
The first several episodes of “Saimdang, Memoir of Colors” aired in Uzbekistan last week, with viewer ratings ranging from 70 percent to 80 percent.