Lee Young Ae

Lee Young-ae is a South Korean actress, best known for playing Jang-geum in the Lee Byung-hoon-directed television series ‘Dae Jang Geum.’ Lee won the ‘Daesang’ (Grand Prize) award and ‘Top Excellence Award’ at the 2003 ‘MBC Drama Awards’ for her performance in ‘Dae Jang Geum.’ She became popular throughout Asia after appearing in the series, as it was aired in 91 countries. Stamps featuring Lee were released in Japan, while China invited her to the ‘Harbin International Ice and Snow Sculpture Festival.’ In 2007, the South Korean government honored her with the ‘Medal of Culture Merit’ for taking the South Korean culture on the global stage (Korean Wave). Apart from being one of South Korea's most popular actresses, Lee is also a well-known philanthropist. She has donated money to hospitals and schools, including an elementary school in China which was then renamed ‘Lee Young-Ae Elementary School.’