Extraordinary Star Asia Award: South Korean actress Jun Ji Hyun (also known internationally as Gianna Jun) got honored with the Extraordinary Star Asia Award at the 25th New York Asian Film Festival, NYAF. She got the award at the festival’s 25th Anniversary Opening Weekend Gala, held at the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center in New York.
The Extraordinary Star Asia Award is something NYAFF gives to performers who, pretty much, have left a real mark on Asian cinema through years of their craft and also their international reach. Festival organizers picked Jun Ji Hyun because they said she has lasting fan demand and also strong, praised performances in both film and television.
Extraordinary Star Asia Award
Jun Ji Hyun started moving into international stardom with the 2001 romantic comedy My Sassy Girl. That movie was a landmark Korean film, and it really helped introduce Korean cinema to audiences around the world. Later on she was in major studio type blockbuster films like The Thieves, and she also became one of the most recognizable figures in Korean TV thanks to the hit drama My Love from the Star.
‘Colony’ Opens the Festival
Jun Ji Hyun attended the festival alongside director Yeon Sang-ho, where their latest film Colony served as the opening-night presentation. The Korean thriller follows survivors trapped inside a quarantined high-rise as a mysterious outbreak spreads through the building, with Jun portraying biotechnology professor Kwon Se-jung.
The film premiered in North America at NYAFF after achieving commercial success in South Korea and has become one of the country’s notable box-office releases of the year.
Jun Ji Hyun’s Acceptance Speech
Accepting the honor, Jun highlighted cinema’s ability to connect audiences across cultures. “Film is a special form of work that connects people beyond culture and language. We made Colony with that spirit in mind, and I am very happy to present it to audiences in New York,” she said during the ceremony.
Running from July 10 to July 26, the 25th New York Asian Film Festival showcases films from across Asia at multiple venues in New York City. Organizers have described this year’s edition as a celebration of the festival’s 25-year legacy of promoting Asian cinema and introducing international audiences to emerging and established filmmakers.
