Actress Jang dies of cancer at 35

Top actress Jang Jin-young passed away Tuesday after a year of battling stomach cancer. She was 35.

Jang, diagnosed with cancer in September last year, was thought to be recovering after resting in the United States in July but had recently been hospitalized after her condition worsened.

"She passed away around 4p.m. today," announced Seoul St. Mary's Hospital at the Catholic University of Korea in a press conference later in the day.

An official from Jang's agency Yedang Entertainment present at the press conference said, "I am lost with words. Today we have had to say a sad farewell to an actress who represents the Korean film industry."

Jang's family, agency officials and her boyfriend identified only by his last name Kim, were reportedly present by her side at the moment of her death.

A ceremonial funeral hall will be se up at the ASAN Medical Center.

Jang, who made her debut through a beauty pageant in 1993, was a favorite on both the small and big screen.

She appeared in countless TV commercials and was distinguished for her acting on the big screen several times -- winning the awards for Best Actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards with horror film "Sorum" and hit movie "Singles", and later the Best Actress Award at the Korean Film Awards for film "Between Love and Hate".

Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@asiae.co.kr