Namgung Won, Kim Ji-mi among cultural medal recipients

From left, Namgung Won, Kim Ji-mi and Nam Bo-won Yonhap

Veteran actor Namgung Won, veteran comedian Nam Bo-won, actress Kim Ji-mi and singer Tae Jin-ah will be receiving the Silver Medal for Merit to Culture, a national cultural award, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Tuesday.

They are among 30 talented cultural figures selected by the government to receive the Popular Culture Artistry Award, created by the culture ministry to enhance the status of popular culture in society.

The award recipients are those who have actively participated in local and global events, contributed to the industry and society and have high public recognition and popularity.

Composer Bae Sang-tae and TV screenwriter Lim Choong-i will be receiving third-level cultural awards which are below the Silver Medal.

Actor Song Joong-ki, actress Song Hye-kyo, drama screenwriter Kim Eun-sook who wrote "Descendants of the Sun," singer BoA and cartoonist Lee Hyun-sae are among the seven nominees to receive the President's award.

The prime minister's award goes to nine nominees, including actor Cho Jin-woong, singer G-Dragon and boy band Shinee. The culture minister's award goes to actor Cho Jung-seok, boy band BTS and musical actress Ok Ju-hyun, among the nine nominees.

The awards ceremony will be held Thursday at the National Theater of Korea in Jung-gu, central Seoul.