'Squid Game' star Lee Jung-jae wins Korea Image Awards
By Dong Sun-hwa
Actor Lee Jung-jae / Courtesy of CICI
Lee Jung-jae, the lead actor of the 2021 hit dystopian drama, “Squid Game,” who made his directorial debut with the action film, “Hunt,” this year, will be honored at the upcoming Korea Image Awards.
Hosted by culture promotion advocacy group, the Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI), the Korea Image Awards 2022 is slated to take place at the InterContinental Seoul COEX in southern Seoul, Jan. 11.
Lee, 49, will receive the Korea Image Stepping Stone Award, which is given to Koreans who have spread a positive image of the country.
“Lee, the first Korean to win an Emmy, captured the quintessence of Korean content with his performance on 'Squid Game,' while expanding the hallyu (Korean Wave) craze by directing 'Hunt,'” the CICI explained in a statement, Monday.
Figure skating icon Kim Yuna / Courtesy of CICI
Figure skating icon Kim Yuna, the 2010 Olympic champion and 2014 Olympic silver medalist in ladies' singles, will take home the Korea Image Cornerstone Award for her consistent role in raising Korea's international profile.
“Kim made history in the world of figure skating with her innate talent and mental strength,” the CICI said. “Kim has continuously enhanced Korea's national image through her matchless achievements.”
The Korea Image Stepping Stone Bridge Award, which recognizes foreigners or foreign corporations that have bridged Korea and the world, will go to “Euro Fashion House,” referring to a group of luxury fashion houses based in Europe, such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
European fashion houses will get the Korea Image Stepping Stone Bridge Award at the upcoming Korea Image Awards. Courtesy of CICI
“Euro Fashion House has successfully harmonized European fashion styles with Korean traditional culture,” the CICI commented. “Many brands also appointed Korean celebrities as their global ambassadors. In this sense, it has connected Korea with the rest part of the world.”
Louis Vuitton, for instance, designed an eye-catching traditional Korean hairpin for “Squid Game” actress Jung Ho-yeon, when she attended this year's Emmy Awards. In the case of Chanel, Jennie of K-pop girl group BLACKPINK has been its global ambassador since 2019.
Swimmer Hwang Sun-woo / Courtesy of CICI
Swimmer Hwang Sun-woo is the winner of the Korea Image Budding Youth Award, which honors young people who have improved Korea's image. The 19-year-old, who represented Korea at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, set the new Korean record of 48.04 in the 100-meter freestyle in 2021.
“Hwang is a super rookie with natural talent, who have established new records at home and abroad,” the CICI said.
Some 400 opinion leaders, including Foreign Minister Park Jin, CJ Group Chairman Sohn Kyung-shik, U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg, British Ambassador Colin Crooks, and French Ambassador Philippe Lefort, will attend the upcoming awards ceremony.