Actor Lee Jungjae, Won LEAFF Honorary Award by Unanimous Consent

The 7th London East Asia Film Festival opened at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London on October 19. At the opening ceremony, which began with the opening film Hunt by actor/director Lee Jungjae, the awards ceremony was also held to grant awards to actors in each category.

For LEAFF Honorary Award (Honorary Award for Contribution to East Asian Cinema), Lee Jungjae was unanimously selected by the jury as the winner. The festival organizers said, "This is the result of the recognition of the outstanding performance of Lee Jungjae as the director and lead actor of Hunt, which will be unveiled for the first time in the UK as the opening film of this year, and also noted that he became the first Korean and Asian actor to win Best Actor at the Emmys, proving his global power.”

The Best Actor Award of LEAFF went to Actor Lee Jungeun for her role in Hommage. ‘LEAFF Best Actor Award’ is given to an actor who has excellent acting skills regardless of gender. The jury selected the award winner because the desire, frustration, and courage of a middle-aged woman with dreams were delicately and realistically depicted by Lee Jungeun in the invited work Hommage this year. 

Actor Im Siwan landed the LEAFF Rising Star Award (Buldak Rising Star Award from this year) for his performance in Emergency Declaration. ‘LEAFF Rising Star Award’ is given to support Korean films and filmmakers reaching out to Europe, and Actors Kim Dami, Ryu Junyeol, Jung Haein, etc. were the previous winners of the award. 

The 7th London East Asia Film Festival, which will be held in London for 12 days until October 30, will showcase about 50 Asian films from China, Japan, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, including 11 Korean films.