Korean actor Jang Dong-gun and acclaimed Chinese actress Tang Wei are set to be honored with the prestigious Excellence in Asian Cinema Award at the upcoming 18th Asian Film Awards.
Jang, a towering figure in the global spread of the Korean Wave (“Hallyu”) and with a career spanning over three decades, expressed his gratitude for the recognition. “It is a tremendous honor to receive this award, and I sincerely thank the Asian Film Awards for this recognition. Having my three-decade acting career acknowledged is deeply meaningful and inspires me to keep going,” said Jang.
Reflecting on his journey, Jang recalled how Hong Kong cinema played a pivotal role in shaping his career. “I can’t talk about my growth without mentioning Hong Kong films. The first movie I ever watched in a theatre was Jackie Chan’s ‘Drunken Master.’” He described the 1980s as a “golden age” of cinema that continues to resonate with him today. Known for his roles in the iconic gangster film “Friend” (2001) and the epic war drama “Tae Guk Gi,” for which he won Best Actor at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, Jang has also collaborated with Hong Kong talents, such as Cecilia Cheung and Nicholas Tse in “The Promise.” He later reunited with Cheung in “Dangerous Liaisons.” The actor expressed a deep admiration for Tony Leung, saying, “If I had the chance to work with him, it would truly be an honor.”
Tang Wei, who made history as the first international actress to win the Best Actress award at Korea’s Baeksang Arts Awards for her performance in “Late Autumn” (2010), also shared her gratitude for the honor. “I am truly grateful to the Asian Film Awards for recognizing my work. Hong Kong has always been special to me, and I’m thrilled to return for this honor,” she said.
Known for her impressive range across Chinese, Korean, and international productions, Tang has delivered exceptional performances in films such as Ang Lee’s “Lust, Caution,” the romantic drama “Finding Mr. Right,” Ann Hui’s “The Golden Era,” and more recently, Park Chan-wook’s “Decision to Leave,” which earned her numerous Best Actress awards.
The 18th Asian Film Awards, co-founded by the Busan, Hong Kong, and Tokyo International Film Festivals, will be broadcast live on the Academy’s YouTube channel and exclusively on TVB Plus. The ceremony is scheduled for March 16 at the Xiqu Centre, located in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District.
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