Top Actress Jang Jin-yeong Dies of Stomach Cancer

Top actress Jang Jin-yeong, who had been struggling with stomach cancer, died on September 1 at age 37. Jang's agency, Yedang Entertainment, said the actress passed away at 4:04 p.m. at St. Mary's Hospital in Seoul.

Jang learned about her disease in September last year during a health checkup, and since then had undergone treatment in Seoul. Her condition improved once, and she even attended a concert of singer Kim Gun-mo in May. In July this year she received treatment in the U.S. and shortly afterward disclosed that she had a boyfriend.

The actress also received acupuncture treatment and even talked about it on TV. But she was hospitalized again because her condition deteriorated last month, and she was told that her cancer had spread all over the body and was impossible to cure.

Jang's agency said the actress had suspended her treatment last month and had been spending time with her family to prepare for her death.

Last month, Jang was transferred from Seoul National University Hospital to St. Mary's Hospital. She was already unconscious when she was transferred.

Born in 1972 in North Jeolla Province, Jang debuted as an entertainer in 1992 when she won the Miss South Chungcheong Province title. She appeared in many TV commercials and debuted as an actress in the 1997 TV drama "Angel In Me". She went on to appear in "Three Guys, Three Girls", "Good Heart". "Soonpoong Clinic" and others. While playing only supporting roles in TV dramas, Chang made a foray onto the big screen in 1999 and since then had grown into a highly recognized movie actress.

She appeared in the movies "Ghost In Love", "The Foul King", "Sorum", "The Scent of Love" and "Singles". She was the first actor in Korea to portray the life of a woman pilot in the movie "Blue Swallow". In "Between Love And Hate", she perfectly portrayed a woman living on the fringes of society, gaining recognition for her outstanding talent.

Jang received the Best Actress award for her roles in "Sorum", "Singles", "Blue Swallow" and "Between Love And Hate" ("The Unbearable Lightness of Dating"). She also received the Best New Actress, Popular Star and Best Actress in a Miniseries awards. The movie "Sorum" earned her the Best Leading Actress award at the 2002 Portugal Fantas Porto Festival.

Jang appeared in numerous TV commercials. In the 2002 commercial for Hyundai Card, where she appeared alongside actor Jeong Joon-ho, she portrayed a working woman who was about to go away on a vacation. She also acted as a model for air conditioner and cosmetics brands thanks to her healthy and sexy charm.

Jang made a comeback to the small screen after a long absence in October 2007 through the SBS TV drama "Lobbyist", where she played lobbyist Maria. That was her last production.

Jang's bereaved family includes her parents and elder sister. Her altar has been set up at St. Mary's Hospital in Seoul. The funeral is slated for September 4.