Shim Eun-kyung Becomes First Korean Actress to Win Best Actress at "Kinema Junpo"

Director Sho Miyake's "Days and Days" Wins Two Major Awards

Actress Shim Eun-kyung has become the first Korean actress to win the Best Actress Award at Kinema Junpo, Japan's most prestigious film awards ceremony.

The film "Days and Days," in which she starred, took first place in the Japanese Film category and won the Best Actress Award at the 99th Kinema Junpo Awards on January 29, achieving two major honors. Organized by the film magazine Kinema Junpo, this award is regarded as one of the most credible indicators in the Japanese film industry, alongside the Japan Academy Prize and the Mainichi Film Awards.

Shim Eun-kyung's Best Actress win holds special significance as it is the first time in history for a Korean actress. Following her win for Best Actress at the Japan Academy Prize in 2020 for "The Journalist" (2019), she has once again earned the trust of Japanese critics and audiences.

She shared her thoughts, saying, "I am happy just to have met this project by chance, and now I am even more delighted to receive this award," adding, "I believe director Sho Miyake's worldview will captivate audiences worldwide."

"Days and Days" is based on a short story by renowned Japanese manga artist Yoshiharu Tsuge. The film dreamily depicts the time spent by the screenwriter "Lee" (played by Shim Eun-kyung) at an inn in a strange snow country. It was recognized early for its artistic merit, winning the Golden Leopard at the 78th Locarno International Film Festival.