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Jeon Do-yeon Named One of the World's Leading Ladies

US based entertainment trade magazine, Variety, has named South Korean actress Jeon Do-yeon as one of its' 50 most important women in today's entertainment industry. In its' 10th annual Women's Impact Report, Variety shines the spotlight on "the industry's femme movers and shakers". Jeon was selected in the category "leading ladies" as one of four accomplished actresses along with Marion Cotillard, Angelina Jolie, and Helen Mirren. 46 other top women were selected in categories such as filmmakers, producers, multi-taskers, music-makers, and executive set.

Earlier this year, Jeon won the prestigious Best Actress Award at the 2007 Cannes International Film Festival for her leading role in director Lee Chang-dong's fourth feature "Secret Sunshine". In that film she plays a widow devastated by the loss of her son and her subsequent search for meaning.

Jeon became only the second Asian actress to win the award at Cannes after Hong Kong star Maggie Cheung. As Variety points out, "it seems appropriate that the acclaimed Hong Kong actress served on the jury that recognized Jeon, because when it comes to Asian acting talent, the two women have few equals".

Jeon is also the second Korean actress to win a top award at one of the major international film festivals, after Kang Soo-yeon won at Venice in 1987 for her acting in Im Kwon-taek's "The Surrogate Woman". Jeon called her part in Secret Sunshine her most challenging role to date. As to the impact of her international breakthrough, Variety quotes her as saying, "Whether this is visible, or invisible, whether I can feel it or not, at this moment, I'm always growing and changing".

Jeon is known as the 'chameleon' of Korean cinema, for being completely absorbed in her roles. She has won awards and accolades for a wide-range of roles in films such as "You are my Sunshine" (2006), "My Mother, the Mermaid" (2004), "Untold Scandal" (2003), "No Blood No Tears" (2002) and "The Harmonium in My Memory" (1999).

Nigel D'Sa (KOFIC)

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