Lee Young-ae Celebrates Iranian New Year

Lee Young-ae listens to Iranian Ambassador Hassan Taherian during Nowruz celebrations at the Iranian Embassy in Seoul on Sunday.

Lee Young-ae has become the first Korean actor to be invited to Iranian New Year celebrations at the Iranian Embassy in Seoul on Sunday.

Lee starred in the worldwide hit MBC TV series "Dae Jang Geum", which was hugely popular in Iran with ratings of over 50 percent.

The celebration of Nowruz, which marks the beginning of the year in the Persian calendar and the first day of spring, was held in a banquet hall in southern Seoul.

Ambassador Hassan Taherian and some 500 Iranian residents in Korea attended the event. The event was slightly delayed as crowds gathered to get a glimpse of the actress.

The ambassador said, "Lee is the most beloved Korean star in Iran and she has been a cultural ambassador for the two countries".

Lee pointed out that there is a Tehran street in Seoul, and a Seoul street in Tehran, "and these reflect the friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries. I hope they will deepen and strengthen.

(Photo courtesy of the Iranian Embassy)