Veteran actors Shin Goo and Kang Boo-ja have been crowned the Eungwan, or silver crown, Order of Cultural Merit, this year’s highest accolade from the annual Korean Popular Culture and Arts Awards.

The Culture Ministry announced this year’s 31 recipients on Monday, which includes actor Lee Je-hoon, singer-songwriter Lee Moon-sae, singer-actor Cha Eun-woo and rock band DAY6.


The annual awards honor artists from various fields — music, comedy, film and more — who have contributed to developing Korea’s culture and arts.

This year, the Order of Cultural Merit was awarded to six figures in the culture and arts, including Shin and Kang.

The Bogwan, or precious crown, Order of Cultural Merit went to two individuals: singer-songwriter Kim Chang-wan and variety show writer Lim Ki-hong.

Singer Lee Moon-sae was announced to receive the Okgwan, or jeweled crown, Order of Cultural Merit. The singer debuted in 1978 and released numerous hit songs like “Little Girl” (1985) and “Old Love” (1991).

Actor Choi Soo-jong, who appeared in various TV series such as “Emperor Wang Gun” (2000), “Dae Jo-yeong” (2006) and “Korea-Khitan War” (2023), will receive the Hwagwan, or flower crown, Order of Cultural Merit.

The Culture Ministry also announced the recipients of the Presidential Commendation, Prime Minister’s Commendation and The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation on same day.

The Presidential Commendation will go to seven recipients, including actor Jo Jung-seok, director Kim Han-min and guitarist Kim Mok-kyung. The Prime Minister’s Commendation will be given to eight recipients, such as actors Chun Woo-hee, Lee Je-hoon and musical actor Choi Jae-rim. The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Commendation will go to 10 recipients, including singer-actor Cha Eun-woo, rock bands DAY6 and Silica Gel and “Squid Game” (2021) actor Jung Ho-yeon.

The recipients will be awarded during a ceremony set to be held on Thursday at the National Theater's Haeoreum Grand Theater in Jung District, central Seoul. The Culture Ministry and the Korea Creative Content Agency (Kocca) will host the ceremony, which will also be broadcast live on YouTube via the Kocca and The K-pop's channels.


BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]