Actress Jeon Do-yeon One of 50 Most Influential Women

 

Korean actress Jeon Do-yeon has officially become an influential world star. Jeon recently made the list of '50 Most Influential Women' released by America's Variety magazine.

Quoting Korean critics, Variety described Jeon as a "chameleon" actress who is capable of completely engaging herself in a given role. The magazine said Jeon received the Best Actress Award at the Cannes Film Festival for her role as a mother who loses her only son in Lee Chang-dong's film "Secret Sunshine." The magazine went on to comment that it was the first time for a Korean to win an award for best acting in an international film festival and that it was the result of a unanimous decision.

In May, Variety chose Jeon as one of the 60 most prominent people to lead the future of the Cannes Festival.

Jeon Do-Yeon Wins Best Actress Award at Cannes

``I can't believe I'm here. I heard there are so many actresses here who poured out their soul in great films, I'm not sure if I am qualified to be here,'' Jeon, clad in a shiny golden dress, said in an accepting speech at the awards ceremony in Cannes.

``But I thank the Cannes film fest for giving me this honor. What would have been impossible with myself alone became possible thanks to director Lee and Song Gang-ho,'' she said, referring to her co-star in the film.

Cannes was the first exposure to an international film festival for the veteran actress, who has won many domestic film awards.

``I am so honored to have my first experience at Cannes,'' she said in a press conference. ``I tried to calm myself down, telling myself that nothing would happen to me. I wanted to hide when somebody spoke of expectations. Now I'm glad and grateful that they turned into messages of support and celebrations.''

The year is turning out to be a lucky one for Jeon. She's a newly wed, having married a businessman nine years her senior in March in an intimate ceremony.

``They honored me with many prizes in Korea, but winning the best actress in Cannes will remain a great achievement in my life,'' she said. Asked what the marriage means to her, she said smiling, ``One of my life's biggest presents.''

Jeon Says Her Cannes Win is Near Miracle

``It was like a miracle, I think.’’ So said actress Jeon Do-yeon in reference to her winning the Best Actress Award for her leading role in Lee Chang-dong’s ``Secret Sunshine’ at the 60th edition of the Cannes Film Festival at a press conference at CGV Apgujeong in Seoul, Wednesday.

``I’ve almost been in a state of shock ever since I was named the winner of the prize,’’ Jeon said. ``Words cannot express what I feel but let me just say `I am delighted and honored.’ I still cannot believe it.’’

Although the local and international press predicted the likelihood of her winning after official screenings, Jeon tried not to think about it and kept telling herself that nothing was going to happen, she said. Jeon was praised for her realistic portrayal of a grief-stricken woman who loses her son and husband.

`` People there seemed to be surprised that an actress who came to an international festival for the first time won the award,’’ Jeon said. ``If it weren’t for Song Kang-ho and director Lee Chang-dong, it would have been impossible for me to complete the character, Sin-ae.’’

Lee said it is impossible to define Jeon as a certain type of actress. ``In the film, she successfully expressed emotions that I, the audience or maybe even herself would not expect. She has a wide spectrum in expressing emotions and performing roles,’’ Lee said at the conference, adding he expected either the grand prize or the Best Actress Award.

Song Kang-ho who played the part of Jong-chan, the leading male role in the movie, said he was in awe of her when they performed together. ``She was almost ‘scary’ when I saw her perform,’’ Song said in the conference.

Despite the praises, Jeon first hesitated to take the role. She said that she had already decided to play in the film even before she had read the script mainly because it was Lee’s film. But after reading the script, she seriously wondered whether she would be capable of it.

Her efforts paid off with the prize, which has brought her into the international spotlight and some press reports are referring to her as a world star.’

However, Jeon is cautious about her new moniker.

``I think it is too early think about being cast in a foreign film. I believe there are a lot of things that I have to do in Korea first,’’ Jeon said. ``(English) language is an issue too. But I would love to explore options when a good chance and scenario arises.’’

Jeon is the second Asian actress to win the prize. Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung took the title for her role in the film ``Clean’’ by French director Olivier Assayas at the 57th Cannes Film Festival in 2004. Cheung was invited as a juror this year.

``I have seen a lot of movies of hers and loved her so much. I was really happy to meet her in person after the closing ceremony. The meeting remains on my mind,’’ 34-year-old Jeon said. ``We agreed to hang out in Seoul when she visits.’’