Actress Yoon Jeong-hee honored by French Ministry of Culture

Veteran actress Yoon Jeong-hee in Lee Chang-dong's film "Poetry." [Uni-Korea]

Korean veteran actress Yoon Jeong-hee has been honored by the French government for her contributions to the film industry, according to the French Ministry of Culture and Communication.

Yoon received the prestigious Chevalier dans l'ordre des Arts et Lettres from the French ministry which is given to cultural figures who have made a significant contribution to the arts and literature.

She was recommended by several officials in the French film industry for her strong performance in Korean award-winning picture "Poetry" which opened in Korea in May last year.

In 2001, Yoon's husband, pianist Paik Kun-woo, received the same award, making them the first Korean couple to have received the same honor from the French government.

"Poetry," helmed by famed director Lee Chang-dong, tells the story of an elderly woman who finds her passion for poetry while battling Alzheimer's.

The film has won a slew of international awards including best screenplay at Cannes Film Festival last year and has sold its distributions rights to several countries including Hong Kong, Syria, Japan, Portugal, Spain, Russia, Taiwan and Brazil.

※ Any copying, republication or redistribution of 10Asia's content is expressly prohibited without prior consent of 10Asia. Copyright infringement is subject to criminal and civil penalties.

Reporter : Lucia Hong luciahong@
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@