'Oldboy' Returns Medal in Screen Quota Protest
Published on | Source
The actor Choi Min-sik has returned a government decoration in protest against Seoul's decision to halve the number of days reserved in theaters for Korean movies. Staging a one-man protest on Sejong Street in front of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, the actor said the decision to halve the screen quota was "tantamount to a death sentence for Korean film". He said the medal, once a symbol of pride, was now "nothing more than a sign of disgrace, and it is with a heavy heart that I must return it".
The actor, who came to international notice with his role in the prize-winning movie "Oldboy", was as good as his word. In the early afternoon, he handed the medal and accompanying certificate in at the Ministry's first-floor information desk while holding a picket that read, "No screen quota, no Oldboy".
Choi was awarded the Og-Gwan Order of Cultural Merit in honor of his role in the movie, which won Grand Jury Prize at Cannes in 2004. A ministry official said there was no stipulation providing for the return of an order of cultural merit. "We will keep it and give it back to him later", he added. Choi walked across to the Kyobo building at Gwanghwamun intersection and continued his one-man demonstration.
The actor, who came to international notice with his role in the prize-winning movie "Oldboy", was as good as his word. In the early afternoon, he handed the medal and accompanying certificate in at the Ministry's first-floor information desk while holding a picket that read, "No screen quota, no Oldboy".
Choi was awarded the Og-Gwan Order of Cultural Merit in honor of his role in the movie, which won Grand Jury Prize at Cannes in 2004. A ministry official said there was no stipulation providing for the return of an order of cultural merit. "We will keep it and give it back to him later", he added. Choi walked across to the Kyobo building at Gwanghwamun intersection and continued his one-man demonstration.
Advertisement