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| Actress Youn Yuh-jung will receive the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit at this year's Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards. Reuter-Yonhap |
Several other stars recognized in annual awards hosted by gov't
By Lee Gyu-lee
Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung was named as the winner of the highest cultural order, the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, for her contribution to Korea's film industry.
Several others in pop culture industries, including actors and musicians, will be awarded at the 2021 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, hosted and organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in collaboration with Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), Thursday. The ceremony will be held online at 6 pm.
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| The poster for the awards ceremony / Courtesy of KOCCA |
On Thursday, she became the first star to win the highest cultural order. Until last year, there had been no Geumgwan order category ― the highest recognition ― in the pop culture awards, so there are no previous winners. But this year, the culture ministry created the category to recognize Youn's achievements overseas for her role in "Minari."
Oscar-winning film "Parasite" director Bong Joon-ho and lead actor Song Kang-ho were awarded the Eungwan cultural order in 2019.
Legendary folk singer Lee Jang-hee and late film producer Lee Chun-yeon will also receive the second-highest Order of Cultural Merit, the Eungwan.
Veteran actor Park In-Hwan, who recently starred in the TV series, "Navillera," and star screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung, who wrote the romance series, "It's Alright, This Is Love," will receive the next highest medal, the Bogwan.
There will be seven recipients of Presidential Commendations this year ― actors Jung Woo-sung and Kim Yeong-cheol, singers Kim Yon-ja and Lee Juck, TV series "Vincenzo" writer Park Jae-Bum, variety show "Hangout with Yoo" producer Kim Tae-ho, and voice actress Choi Soo-min.
Another "Minari" star, Han Ye-ri, will be awarded one of the Prime Minister's Commendations, along with actress Lee Jeong-eun, musicians Woong San and Jeong Won-yeong, music director Kim Moon-jeong, voice actress Ahn Gyeong-jin and choreographer Kim Seol-jin.
For the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendations, there will be nine winners: K-pop groups NCT Dream and Oh My Girl, actors Lee Jae-hoon and Oh Jung-se, comedian Ahn Young-mi, voice actress Choi Duk-hee, musicians Seo Young-do and Koh Sang-ji, and model Choi So-ra
The annual state-run awards was founded in 2010 to pay tribute to those who have contributed to promoting Korean pop culture and the arts. The winners are evaluated for their performances and contributions to the industry as well as their public popularity.
The 12th edition of the awards will also feature performances from some of the recipients, including NCT Dream, Oh My Girl and jazz singer Woong San. Singer Kim Tae-yeon teamed up with hip-hop musician Aquinas as well as ALiEN dance group for a collaborative performance.
The ceremony will be streamed at 6 p.m. Thursday through KOCCA's official YouTube channel and SBS Medianet's official K-pop channel, The K-POP.
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