박찬욱 감독, 프랑스 최고등급 문화예술 훈장 받았다 – 한겨레
- Director Park Chan-wook has been awarded the Commandeur, the highest grade of the French Order of Arts and Letters, in recognition of his significant contributions to the arts.
- The presentation took place while Park is serving as the Jury President for the 79th Cannes Film Festival.
- During the ceremony, Park reflected on his long-standing relationship with France and the pivotal role the Cannes Film Festival played in his professional trajectory.
Director Park Chan-wook has been awarded the Commandeur, the highest grade of the French Order of Arts and Letters, in recognition of his significant contributions to the arts. The honor was bestowed upon him on May 17, 2026, during a ceremony held at the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France.
The presentation took place while Park is serving as the Jury President for the 79th Cannes Film Festival. Catherine Peyga, the French Minister of Culture, presented the medal to the director. The event was also attended by Iris Knobloch, the President of the Cannes Film Festival and Thierry Frémaux, the festival’s General Delegate.
During the ceremony, Park reflected on his long-standing relationship with France and the pivotal role the Cannes Film Festival played in his professional trajectory. He specifically highlighted the impact of his success with the film Oldboy
two decades prior.
The peak of my relationship with France would be the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. That event (the award for ‘Oldboy’) was a really big turning point for me, and simply put, I can say it completely changed my life.
Park Chan-wook
The Order of Arts and Letters
The Order of Arts and Letters is a prestigious French decoration awarded to individuals who have made significant contributions to the enrichment of French culture or the propagation of it globally in the fields of art and literature. According to reporting from Hankyoreh, the honor is divided into three distinct grades:
- Chevalier
- Officier
- Commandeur (the highest grade)
By receiving the Commandeur grade, Park Chan-wook becomes the first Korean filmmaker to be honored with the highest level of this award. He is the fourth South Korean citizen to receive the Commandeur distinction.
He joins a small group of previous Korean recipients, which includes Kim Jung-ok, the former head of the Korea Arts Council who was honored in 2002, conductor Chung Myung-whun in 2011, and soprano Jo Sumi in 2025.
The award underscores Park’s global standing as a filmmaker and the enduring influence of his work within the French cinematic landscape, further cementing the cultural ties between the South Korean film industry and France.