Actress Lee Young-ae wins award for helping Taiwanese baby

Actress Lee Young-ae

By Lee Min-hyung

Actress Lee Young-ae won a charity award for funding the treatment of a premature Taiwanese baby in February, according to Lee’s management agency Wednesday.

The Taiwan-based Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation announced that Lee had been named the winner of the Love of Lives Medal for her efforts to support the baby girl and her family. Lee paid about 100 million won ($100,000) for her hospitalization and medical procedures.

Earlier this year, the baby’s mother Tsai Chi-chen went into labor two months earlier than expected while visiting Korea with her husband. The couple could not afford the medical costs for their premature baby, making them unable to leave a hospital and go back to their home country.

Lee volunteered to help them after being informed of their story. She also visited them in hospital.

Her charitable deeds have moved Taiwanese and Koreans after they were disclosed to the public in July. In recognition of her actions, the Taiwanese government expressed its gratitude toward Lee, sending her an appreciation plaque.

Lee is one of the top actresses in Korea, known for starring role as Jang-gum in the famous drama “Daejanggeum” or “Jewel in the Palace.” The drama was popular overseas, especially in Southeast Asian countries.

The foundation was established in 1997 in honor of a Taiwanese boy who died of cancer at the age of 10. One of the key activities of the group is to award the annual prize. There have been 17 award ceremonies so far, and 280 winners from 48 countries have received the honor.