Yoon Jung-hee Awarded France's Top Artistic Honor

Veteran actress Yoon Jung-hee on Tuesday will be awarded the Chevalier des Arts et Lettres medal, one of France's highest artistic honors. The 66-year-old film star received rave reviews from French critics for her performance in the Korean movie "Poetry", which was released in France last year.

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Established in 1957 by the French Ministry of Culture, the order is given to foreign cultural figures who make significant contributions to the arts or literature. Past laureates include J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter books, film director Tim Burton, and actor George Clooney.

The late fashion designer Andre Kim and actress Jeon Do-yeon are among the Koreans who have been honored, along with Yoon's husband, pianist Paik Kun-woo, who received the order for promoting the music of French composers such as Olivier Messiaen and Claude Debussy.

"I'm delighted that France, a country so passionate about cinema, has recognized my movie career", Yoon said. "I plan to act until I'm 90, and this medal has instilled me with courage and hope for my dream".

Since their marriage in 1976, Yoon and Paik have remained artistic partners and managers for each other, sharing everything including even a mobile phone. Paik, who is currently in Milan to perform the complete piano works of Maurice Ravel at the Genova Teatro Carlo Felice, said, "I'm grateful that the people of France, who have such a special attachment to film, value my wife's 45-year cinematic career, and I'm proud of her".

Yoon added, "I heard that "Poetry" was the catalyst, but the order is a result of a comprehensive evaluation of my entire career. I'm happy to act whenever I meet a good director and good script".