Can a Korean actor win Japan’s top film prize? Yes, Shim Eun-kyung has done it. The Best Actress award from the Kinema Junpo Awards is one of Japan’s most respected film honors. Since 1919, the magazine has shaped Japanese cinema. Shim received the award for her role in “Two Seasons, Two Strangers,” directed by Sho Miyake. The film also topped Kinema Junpo’s Best Ten list. This win opens new opportunities for Korean talent to star in Japanese films. Read on for the details about Shim Eun-kyung’s historic win, and why her win can be a bigger future for the Korea-Japan film industry.
Shim Eun Kyung, First Korean Actor to Win Best Actress at Kinema Junpo Awards
Shim Eun-kyung is the first Korean actor to win the 99th Kinema Junpo’s Best Actress award for her role in the Japanese movie “Two Seasons, Two Strangers.” Her achievement proves Korean talent can build a career in Japan’s film industry and be recognized at Japan’s top film awards. This win also made her the second non-Japanese to take home the award in 33 years, after Ruby Moreno of the Philippines in 1994. For her role in the film, Shim was nominated for Best Actress at film festivals in Japan and Singapore.
Who Is Shim Eun Kyung?
Shim Eun-kyung is a South Korean actress who has been active in the Korean and Japanese film industry.
Born on May 31, 1994, Shim Eun-kyung grew up in Gangneung, a coastal city in Gangwon Province, South Korea. She began acting at a young age and has worked in South Korean cinema for over 20 years.
Works and Achievements
Shim made her acting debut as a guest star at age 9 in the popular TV series “Jewel in the Palace” in 2003. Starting as a child actress gave her a strong foundation for her acting career.
In 2004, she appeared in the series “The Woman Who Wants to Marry” in a supporting role. She landed her first leading role in the 2007 film “Hansel and Gretel” and the 2009 TV series “Kyung Shook’s Father.”
Her popularity skyrocketed in Korea and across Asia after starring in box-office hits “Sunny” (2011) and “Miss Granny” (2014).
In 2019, Shim took the role of a Japanese reporter in the Japanese political thriller “The Journalist.” The film’s success launched her to stardom and earned her praise from Japanese critics.
For her role, she won four Best Actress awards at the 74th Mainichi Film Awards, the 43rd Japan Academy Film Prize (Japan’s equivalent of the Oscars), the 39th Zenkoku Eiren Awards, and the Tama Cinema Forums Awards.
Shim’s achievements in Japan led to more opportunities in the Japanese film industry. She was even invited to host the 44th Japan Academy Film Prize Awards in 2021, noting her as the first Korean actor to do so.
After “The Journalist,” she has worked with more directors, in numerous productions, such as:
- “Blue Hour,”
- “A Garden of Camellias,”
- “Seven Secretaries: The Movie,”
- “The Killers,”
- “Why Didn’t I Tell You a Million Times?”, and
- “Two Seasons, Two Strangers”
For her latest performance in the film “Two Seasons, Two Strangers,” she earned four nominations from the Nikkan Sports Film Awards, the 80th Mainichi Film Awards, the Singapore International Film Festival, and the Kinema Junpo Awards. These nominations increased her reputation as a top actress in the film industry.
“Two Seasons, Two Strangers”
“Two Seasons, Two Strangers” adapts two manga stories by Yoshiharu Tsuge: “A View of the Seaside” (1967) and “Mr. Ben and his Igloo” (1968).
In the film, Shim plays Lee, a Korean screenwriter who is struggling with writer’s block. Lee speaks Japanese in daily life while using Korean specifically for narration and screenwriting.
Hoping to find inspiration, she travels to a remote mountain inn during winter. There, she meets Benzo (Shinichi Tsutsumi). He is the inn’s owner, dealing with a failed marriage and loss.
Despite their differences, they find common ground through conversations about art and life, and develop an unexpected friendship.
The film interweaves a second story. It portrays two young people meeting at a seaside village during the summer. These characters are the protagonists of Lee’s screenplay, creating an ambiguous relationship between her fictional creation and her actual experiences.
Shim Eun Kyung’s Role in “Two Seasons, Two Strangers”
Shim’s role required subtlety where her character portrayed loneliness, confusion, sadness, and, gradually, hope, without overacting, capturing her nature and emotions.
Throughout the story, she communicated with natural poise through facial expressions, pauses, and small gestures. Her outstanding performance won the hearts of critics and audiences alike.
In an interview before the movie premiere, director Miyake explained his creative reasoning for changing the character from male to female, the casting decision, and its profound impact on how he approached the film’s themes around performance, language, and human connection.
“In the original manga, the protagonist was a middle-aged Japanese man. The script was written that way initially, but at some point, I thought it would be really interesting if Shim played this role, and that idea suddenly came to me. Through working with her, I realized many important things. What matters is not nationality, gender, or age—what’s truly important is expressing the character’s inner heart and emotional depth.
I didn’t understand this from the beginning. After she started working with me, I repeatedly felt grateful that she accepted the role and that we could create this film together.
When Shim speaks with me, she’s very fluent in Japanese. But I also see her speaking Korean at times. It’s the same person, yet I noticed different facets emerging. I wanted to capture various sides of Shim in the film. That’s why two languages were necessary. But ultimately, what matters most is what’s expressed without language, simply being present in a moment, without words.”
Director Sho Miyake
Why Kinema Junpo Matters?
Kinema Junpo is Japan’s oldest and most respected film magazine since 1919. Each year, its editors and top film critics vote for the best films and performances, focusing on artistic quality rather than popularity. This is the kind of award that producers pay attention to and that directors and actors remember. It also creates broader opportunities for filmmakers at global film festivals and arthouses.
“Two Seasons, Two Strangers” ranked first on Kinema Junpo’s Best Ten list. Kinema Junpo’s best list of movies, stars, and directors.
Director Sho Miyake builds the story at a slow, mindful pace, through calm moments and pauses. Her portrayal in “Two Seasons, Two Strangers” earned her the Best Actress award at the Kinema Junp Awards.
Winning a Kinema Junpo award means the Japanese institution once again recognizes Shim’s incredible talent and ability to play complex, quiet characters with depth.
Citing from Asia Business Daily, Shim said in a statement,
“I was already happy just to have met this project in such a miraculous way, and I am truly delighted to be honored with this recognition.”
Shim Eun-kyung
Her words show that she knows the role was challenging and the award is meaningful to her.
What This Means for Korea-Japan Film Collaboration?
Shim Eun-kyung’s film, “Two Seasons, Two Strangers,” launched in South Korea on December 10, 2025, and made waves at numerous festivals.
Japan and Korea have collaborated extensively on numerous productions in recent years. Most of them are dramas, and a few films. The K-drama titles include “Romantics Anonymous,” “What Comes After Love,” and “Can This Love Be Translated.” However, there are still very few film productions involving Korean and Japanese actors. Among the recent films are “Grand Maison Paris” and “Good News.”
Shim’s victory at the Kinema Junpo Award matters for the film industry on both sides. Korean actors in Japan are no longer outsiders. Shim’s success proves Korean talent can win at Japan’s highest levels.
For producers and studios, this opens possibilities. Korean actors can now bring new color to Japanese films. This may change who gets cast in future projects. More Korean talent may pursue careers in Japan. More Japanese directors may seek Korean talent. Cross-border film projects between Korea and Japan now have proof-of-concept.
What’s Next?
On February 19, Shim Eun-kyung will stand on the stage in Japan to accept her Best Actress award at the 99th Kinema Junpo Award.
Shim Eun-kyung’s win brings big opportunities for Korea-Japan film projects. Studios now have proof that Korean talent can win viewers’ hearts and even Japan’s top honors. This changes casting decisions going forward.
Final Thoughts
Shim Eun-kyung has proven that her talent and hard work can cross borders. Her win is essential for artists who hope to work internationally. For viewers, it means more opportunities to see great performances that go beyond language and cultural barriers.
Have you watched “Two Seasons, Two Strangers”? Share your thoughts on Shim’s win and what it means for Asian cinema.
In the meantime, watch the trailer for “Two Seasons, Two Strangers,” below.
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