South Korean auteur Park Chan-wook was awarded the Commandeur in the Ordre des Arts et des Lettres at Cannes on May 17, marking a significant moment for both his career and Korean cinema’s global standing. The medal was presented by French Minister of Culture Catherine Pégard at a ceremony held inside the Palais des Festivals, where Park is also serving as president of the competition jury this year—the first South Korean to do so.
Established in 1957, the Order of Arts and Letters recognises individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the arts in France and globally. It is divided into three ranks—Chevalier, Officier and Commandeur—with Park receiving the highest distinction.
With the honour, Park becomes just the fourth South Korean recipient, following theatre veteran Kim Jeong-ok (2002), conductor Chung Myung-whun (2011), and soprano Sumi Jo (2025). The recognition underscores the growing global influence of Korean cultural exports, particularly in cinema.
South Korea’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Chae Hwi-young, described the award as a moment of national pride, noting that Park’s body of work continues to inspire filmmakers worldwide and elevate the country’s cultural standing.
Park’s relationship with French culture and cinema runs deep. In his acceptance remarks, he highlighted the influence of French film and philosophy on his work, saying the honour felt like a culmination of those inspirations.
Read more: Park Chan-wook at Cannes 2026: “Art and Politics Aren’t In Conflict”
“Just as I’ve been influenced by France and continue to be, I’m incredibly moved and proud to think I, in turn, might be having a small influence on young French directors,” he said.
Cannes has long been central to Park’s international recognition. He won the Grand Prix for Oldboy (2004) and Thirst (2009), and Best Director for Decision to Leave (2022). He previously served as a jury member in 2017 before returning this year as jury president.
Since making his feature debut with The Moon Is… The Sun’s Dream (1992), Park has built one of the most distinctive filmographies in modern cinema, with works including The Handmaiden (2016) and his latest feature No Other Choice (2025).
Read more: Chloé Zhao Joins Park Chan-wook’s Jury at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival
His latest honour at Cannes not only cements his influence within global cinema, but also reinforces the deep cultural exchange between South Korea and France—especially as the two countries mark 140 years of diplomatic relations in 2026.
