South Korean director Park Chan-wook has been awarded France's highest cultural honor, becoming the first Korean filmmaker to receive the Commander rank of the Order of Arts and Letters in recognition of his contributions to global cinema.
According to DAUM, the award ceremony was held Saturday at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, where French Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard presented Park with the medal. The Commander rank is the highest of three levels in the Order of Arts and Letters, which was established in 1957 to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts and culture.
Park said receiving the honor marked a deeply meaningful moment in his career and shared a personal aspiration for the future.
"My last remaining wish is to one day shoot a movie in France and work with French actors," Park said at the ceremony, per Star News. "It seems that is the only thing left."
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The acclaimed filmmaker also reflected on the influence of French cinema on his work, citing early exposure to French films as a major artistic inspiration. He referenced classic French director Julien Duvivier and noted that French storytelling and existentialist themes shaped his cinematic perspective.
"I think the movies that influenced me the most when I was young were French films," Park said, adding that his approach to human behavior and storytelling has been shaped in part by French literature and philosophy.
Park also brought humor to the ceremony, joking about the influence of French cinema on his reputation for stylized violence in films. His remarks drew laughter from attendees.
The director is widely recognized for films including Oldboy, Thirst and Decision to Leave, which have all screened at the Cannes Film Festival. His 2004 film Oldboy won the Grand Prix, marking a turning point in his international career.
Since then, Park has been an annual figure at Cannes, collecting more awards along the way such as the Jury Prize for "Thirst" and "Best Director" for "Decision to Leave." Earlier this year, he was also named the first South Korean president of a Cannes competition jury, further cementing his status in global cinema.
Park dedicated part of his acceptance speech to his family, saying he hoped the recognition would bring joy to his parents. He also acknowledged the broader cultural exchange between Korea and France through film.
The Order of Arts and Letters has previously been awarded to several prominent Korean cultural figures, but Park's recognition as Commander marks a historic first for the Korean film industry.
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