JANG Dong-gun & TANG Wei Honoured with Excellence in Asian Cinema Award
Recognising their outstanding performances and significant contributions to Asian cinema, leaving a lasting impact beyond borders!
The 18th Asian Film Awards proudly announces this year’s recipients of the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award —Korean screen icon JANG Dong-gun and acclaimed Chinese actress TANG Wei. Recognised for their remarkable achievements and lasting contributions to Asian cinema, both esteemed actors will attend the awards ceremony on March 16 at the Xiqu Centre in Hong Kong’s West Kowloon Cultural District to accept this prestigious honour.
JANG Dong-gun expressed his gratitude, saying, “It is a tremendous honour to receive this award, and I sincerely thank the Asian Film Awards for this recognition. Having my three-decade acting career acknowledged is deeply meaningful and inspires me to keep going. I look forward to sharing this joy with everyone in Hong Kong.” TANG Wei also shared her excitement, stating, “I am truly grateful to the Asian Film Awards for recognising my work. Hong Kong has always been special to me, and I’m thrilled to return for this honour. I want to take this opportunity to thank every director and collaborator I’ve worked with, and most importantly, the audiences whose support made this possible.”
JANG: Working with HK Stars, Learning from Foreign Production
With over 30 years in the industry, JANG reflected on his career and the profound influence of Hong Kong cinema: “I can’t talk about my growth without mentioning Hong Kong films. The first movie I ever watched in a theatre was Jackie CHAN’s Drunken Master. By the 1980s, when I was in high school, Hong Kong films were everywhere, especially gangster films, which left a lasting impact on me.” He recalled classics like the A Better Tomorrow series, A Chinese Ghost Story, Casino Raiders, and Stephen Chow’s comedies, which still hold a special place in his memory. “Back then, Hong Kong cinema was flourishing—a golden age that still resonates with me today,” he said.
When asked about Hong Kong actors or directors he’d like to work with, JANG noted he had already collaborated with many. “I worked with Cecilia CHEUNG and Nicholas TSE in CHEN Kaige’s The Promise and later reunited with Cecilia in Dangerous Liaisons.” He added, “I think Cecilia is the only actress I’ve worked with in more than one film—it’s quite special!” He also expressed admiration for Tony LEUNG, saying, “I really respect Tony LEUNG, and if I had the chance to work with him, it would truly be an honour and an incredible experience.”
Speaking on his most memorable projects, JANG shared, “Joining foreign productions like The Promise had a significant impact on my career. Even with language barriers, we all worked toward the same goal. There was a sense of camaraderie, which gave me a deeper understanding of acting.”
Tang: Fearless in Acting, Open to Future HK Collaborations
TANG is a well-deserving recipient of the Excellence in Asian Cinema Award. Throughout her career, she has embraced diverse roles, from the reserved yet resilient XIAO Hong in The Golden Era to the enigmatic SONG Rui-lai in Decision to Leave, leaving a deep impact on audiences. When asked about future plans, she shared that, for now, she plans to continue focusing on acting. She explained, “Every new role is an opportunity for exploration and growth, and I look forward to encountering new characters. What matters most to me is working with interesting people to create meaningful films.”
Having lived in Hong Kong and worked on numerous Hong Kong productions, TANG is returning to the city to attend the ceremony and reconnect with fans after a year. Looking back on her visit last year, saying with a smile, “Of course, I miss it! I hope to come back and work in Hong Kong so I can ‘improve’ my Cantonese. I’d be so happy if I had the chance to work on a Hong Kong film!” She acknowledged that her Cantonese still needs improvement while also expressing her deep affection for the city and excitement about future opportunities in Hong Kong’s film industry.
When asked whether she plans to return to Hong Kong cinema, she responded with a laugh, “That’s a question for the directors!” She added, “I’ll be waiting for Hong Kong directors to come find me for more projects!”—showing her enthusiasm for future collaborations.
Introduction of JANG Dong-gun: A Leading Figure of “Hallyu“
JANG debut in 1992 with the television drama Son and Daughter. Just two years later, he skyrocketed to fame with the hit series The Last Match, which achieved an impressive 48.6% viewership rating. His performance earned him the Best New Actor award at the 30th Baeksang Arts Awards, marking the start of his acclaimed career. In 1997, he further cemented his popularity by winning the Popularity Award at the 33rd Baeksang Arts Awards.
In 2001, JANG starred in Friend, one of the highest-grossing Korean films of its time and a timeless classic in the gangster genre. The story of four childhood friends navigating loyalty and fate remains a fan favourite to this day. In 2004, he starred in the war epic Tae Guk Gi, which drew an astounding 11.74 million admissions, becoming a massive box office success and making him one of Korea’s most bankable stars. His powerful performance also won him the Best Actor award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, solidifying his status as a leading figure in Korean cinema.
JANG’s impact goes beyond Korea. In 2010, he expanded his career internationally, starring in The Warrior’s Way. He then made a successful return to television with the romantic comedy A Gentleman’s Dignity, where his mature and humorous charm won over audiences. More recently, he has embraced diverse roles, playing a villain in V.I.P. and appearing in Rampant and A Normal Family, the latter of which was featured at the 48th Toronto International Film Festival, continuing to make waves on the international stage.
Introduction of TANG Wei: From Chinese Cinema to International Acclaim
TANG debuted in 2004 with Policewoman Swallow and made history with the Korean film Late Autumn in 2010, becoming the first foreign actress to win Best Actress at the 47th Baeksang Arts Awards. She went on to earn multiple Best Actress honours, including the Korean Association of Film Critics Award and the Busan Film Critics Association Award, further establishing her prominence in both the Korean and Chinese film industries.
Known for her versatility, TANG has starred in a range of classics, from romance to historical biopics and international productions. In 2013, she starred in Finding Mr. Right, a heartfelt love story that captivated audiences and became a benchmark for Chinese romantic films at the box office. The following year, she portrayed the legendary writer XIAO Hong in The Golden Era directed Ann HUI, earning nominations for Best Actress at both the Hong Kong Film Awards and the Golden Horse Awards. Beyond Chinese cinema, She later expanded into Hollywood, co-starring with Chris HEMSWORTH in Michael MANN’s Blackhat, taking on a completely new role.
In recent years, TANG has continued to demonstrate her range across various genres, from the fantasy-comedy Monster Hunt to the Cannes Film Festival-selected The Last Night on Earth. In 2021, she worked with renowned Korean director PARK Chan-wook on the suspenseful romance Decision to Leave, delivering a nuanced performance that earned her multiple Best Actress accolades, including the prestigious Blue Dragon Film Awards and the Asian Film Awards. In 2024, she starred in the Korean sci-fi romance Dreams and won the Popularity Award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards, reaffirming her place as one of the industry’s most beloved actresses.
The 18th Asian Film Awards
Red Carpet and Awards Ceremony
Date: March 16, 2025 (Sunday)
Venue: Grand Theatre, Xiqu Centre, WestK
Address: 88 Austin Road West, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon
Screenings, In Conversations, and Other Promotional Activities
Dates: March 14 to 16, 2025
Broadcasting Partner: YouTube
The official YouTube channel of the Asian Film Awards Academy, @AsianFilmAwardsAcademy, will be streaming live from 17:00 onwards.
Official TV Broadcaster: TVB
Exclusive channel TVB Plus (Channel 82).
The 18th Asian Film Awards Official Page: https://www.afa-academy.com/awards-en/
