Oscar best supporting actress Youn Yuh-jung of the movie “Minari” was bestowed South Korea’s highest Order of Cultural Merit by the government during the 2021 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards, organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Creative Content Agency (KOCCA), which was held on Oct. 28.
Actors Park In-Hwan, Jung Woo-sung and Kim Yeong-cheol, actress Han Ye-ri, and K-pop groups NCT Dream and Oh My Girl were recognized too.
For this year, there were 29 recipients of the awards: six Order of Cultural Merit, seven Presidential Commendation, seven Prime Minister’s Commendation and nine Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendations.
Youn Yuh-jung, 74, was bestowed the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit, the highest cultural order, recognized for her contribution to the movie industry. She debuted in 1966 as an actress through the third TBC recruitment. At the 93rd Academy Awards held last April 25, she won best supporting actress, becoming the first Korean to bag an acting award at the Oscars.
Late movie producer Lee Chun-yeon and folk singer Lee Jang-hee were given the Eungwan Order of Cultural Merit, the second highest cultural order.
The Bogwan Order of Cultural Merit, the third highest, was awarded to “Navillera” actor Park In-hwan, late actor Song Jae-ho and screenwriter Noh Hee-kyung.
Here is the complete list of awardees at the 2021 Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards:
Order of Cultural Merit
1. Youn Yuh-jung (actress) - Geumgwan (Gold Crown)
2. Lee Chun-yeon (movie producer) - Eungwan (Silver Crown)
3. Lee Jang-hee (folk singer) - Eungwan (Silver Crown)
4. Park In-hwan (actor) - Bogwan (Precious Crown)
5. Song Jae-ho (actor) - Bogwan (Precious Crown)
6. Noh Hee-kyung.(screenwriter) - Bogwan (Precious Crown)
Presidential Commendation
1. Kim Yeon-ja (singer)
2. Jung Woo-sung (actor)
3. Kim Yeong-cheol (actor)
4. Lee Juck (singer)
5. Park Jae-Bum (writer)
6. Kim Tae-ho (producer/director)
7. Choi Soo-min (voice actress)
Prime Minister’s Commendation
1. Han Ye-ri (actress)
2. Lee Jeong-eun (actress)
3. Woong San (singer)
4. Jeong Won-yeong (musician)
5. Kim Moon-jeong (music director)
6. Ahn Gyeong-jin (voice actress)
7. Kim Seol-jin (choreographer)
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation
1. NCT Dream (singer)
2. Oh My Girl (singer)
3. Lee Jae-hoon (actor)
4. Oh Jung-se (actor)
5. Ahn Young-mi (comedian)
6. Choi Duk-hee (voice actress)
7. Seo Young-do (musician)
8. Koh Sang-ji (musician)
9. Choi So-ra (model)