This year’s 12th Director’s Cut Awards were given out on December 21, and the top winners this year were Thirst, Park Chan-wook’s stylish vampire-horror film starring Song Kang-ho as a vampire priest, as well as Bong Joon-ho’s Mother, whose Kim Hye-ja is earning a number of accolades as the titular mother who goes all-out to protect her dimwitted son (Won Bin) from a false charge.

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Actress Jang Jin-young died of stomach cancer in September, after which it was belatedly revealed that she had been secretly married. She had wed her husband, Kim Young-kyun, while in the U.S. for cancer treatment, and registered the marriage to make it official in Korea just days before her passing.

Now her husband has published a book commemorating the 608 days of their relationship, called My Last Gift To Her [그녀에게 보내는 마지막 선물]. Their Las Vegas wedding photo, above, is featured in the book.

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Kim Ok-bin, of vampire thriller “Thirst”

It’s that time of year again: awards season!

On December 2, the 30th Blue Dragon Film Awards were held at KBS Hall in Yoido, Seoul, hosted by actors Kim Hye-soo and Lee Beom-soo.

Considering the recent slump in the Korean movie industry, it was a pretty good year for films, with several big hits breaking box office records, like Haeundae and Take Off, both of which amassed a number of nominations. It was also a good year for the smaller, indie movie, with awards being given to actors of Breathless, and both Kim Myung-min and Ha Ji-won pulling in top acting honors for their performances in My Love By My Side (aka Closer to Haeven).

Actress Jang Jin-young, who passed away this year from stomach cancer at the age of 35, was given a special award that honored her career in film, with roles in movies like 2001’s Sorum and 2003’s Singles.

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Perhaps to ease the sad news of losing 35-year-old actress Jang Jin-young to cancer yesterday (Korean time), the press has been highlighting the fact that Jang left this world having enjoyed a fulfilling career and, as it is now being reported, love life as well. News is circulating that Jang had actually secretly married her boyfriend (only identified as Mr. Kim, 43) with a small wedding ceremony in the States in July, where she was receiving treatment. The couple then went through the paperwork to legally register the marriage in Korea on August 28, just days before her September 1 passing.

The marriage was evidently kept secret not only from her management, but also their families. A reporter’s call with Kim’s father, a former member of parliament, led to an incredulous denial. However, a source at the Seongbuk-gu (a Seoul district) city office confirmed, “The two have completed the marriage registration, and Jang Jin-young and Mr. Kim were legally spouses.” An employee at the office said that Kim came to the office in person with Jang’s official identification and registered the marriage.

Kim père said, “I’ve never heard this before. She was going through a time where she needed to focus on treating her illness, why would she have married? We have no connection to Seongbuk-gu, and it makes no sense that they would have registered their marriage there.”

The city official explained that because of Kim’s area of residence, he is eligible to handle civil matters in any district of his choosing. The Seongbuk-gu office was in the vicinity of the hospital where Jang was re-admitted.

Since her death, a steady stream of celebrities and friends have been paying their respects to their deceased colleague. (They include: Lee Byung-heon, Jeon Do-yeon, Han Ji-min, Song Il-kook, Song Hye-gyo, Jung Jun-ho, Kim Ah-joong, Kim Jung-eun, Lee Beom-soo, Hwang Jung-min, Yoo Sun, Im Soo-jung, Kim Joo-hyuk, Park Hae-il, Han Jae-seok, Lee Jung-jae, Han Ji-hye, Kim Seung-woo, Lee Seung-yeon, Kim Seok-hoon, Eom Ji-won, Park Kyung-lim.) The funeral procession will take place on the morning of September 4.

Via E Daily, Hankyung, Newsen

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UPDATE: Jang Jin-young has passed away on September 1, at the age of 35.

This is very sad. Actress Jang Jin-young (Singles, Lobbyist) had announced last September that she was diagnosed with stomach cancer. She stopped all acting activities to focus on treatment, and a few months later seemed to be much improved.

However, now the news is coming out that her health has taken a swift but drastic downturn, and she is reportedly in critical condition. She had recently returned to Korea after receiving medical care in Los Angeles last month. According to a management rep, Jang Jin-young is currently admitted to a Kangnam hospital, and with the recent deterioration, they have stopped medical treatment for the cancer and are now focused on keeping her out of pain. Her family has been told to “prepare themselves” mentally, while a source at the hospital says they are preparing for the worst and keeping CPR equipment and defibrillators at the ready.

Jang Jin-young wishes to be remembered looking healthy, and visitation is restricted to only family members and her boyfriend. She had announced the relationship with a Mr. Kim in July, saying, “When I was exhausted and in pain and wanted to collapse, I found the biggest support close to me and was able to stand again because of him, who gave me courage.”

Via Now News, Mk.co.kr

RELATED POSTS

• Update on Jang Jin-young’s cancer
• Jang Jin-young extends contract
• Jang Jin-young begins treatment for cancer

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