History has been made for the second consecutive year at the 93rd Academy Awards!
South Korean actress Youn Yuh Jung, star of independent film “Minari,” has become the first Korean woman to win the Oscar for “Best Supporting Actress” in the ceremony’s 93-year history on April 26th, 2021. She is the second Asian actress to receive a win in the category after Japanese-American actress Miyoshi Umeki in for the film “Sayonara” in 1957.
The win is just one of the latest among the string of numerous awards given to the veteran actress. In December last year, Ms. Youn became the first Korean actress to win a Screen Actors Guild Award and a British Academy Film Award (BAFTA) for her critically-acclaimed role in the film.
In addition, many viewers of the Oscars broadcast have awarded Youn Yuh Jung the “best speech” of the night for her endearing and genuine words upon accepting the award presented to her by actor Brad Pitt.
“Mr. Pitt, finally. Nice to meet you. Where were you while we were filming in Tulsa? Very honored to meet you,” she says to the Hollywood actor whose production company Plan B produced the film.
Yuh Jung explained, “As you know, I’m from Korea and actually my name is Yuh Jung Youn, and most European people call me ‘Yoh Yun’ and some of them call me ‘Yoo Jung,’ but tonight you are all forgiven.” She added that back home in Korea, she usually watches the Oscars on TV, but being there in person she can’t believe it.
The actress goes on to thank the films cast and crew who she calls her “wonderful Minari family,” Steven Youn, director Lee Isaac Chung, Han Yeri, Noel Kate Cho, and Alan Kim.
Youn Yuh Jung and Han Yeri 
Steven Youn and wife Joana Pak Alan Kim and “Minari” co-producer Christina Oh Director Lee Isaac Chung and wife Valerie Chung
She gives a special shout out to the film’s director who by stating that, “Without him, I couldn’t be here tonight. He was our captain and my director, so thanks to you. Too many thanks to you.”
The most sincere moment in the speech came when Yuh Jung began to thank her fellow nominees, “Well, see… I don’t believe in competition. Like how can I win over Glenn Close?” She went on to say that, “All the nominees – five nominees – we are the winner for different movies, different roles. We play different roles so we cannot compete with each other.”
Following those words you can see Amanda Seyfried, who was also up for the same award, being visibly touched by Yuh Jung’s kind sentiment and pure love for the art of film.
She then humbly reflects on her win by sharing, “just a little bit of luck, I think, maybe I’m luckier than you. And also maybe, this is American hospitality for the Korean actor? I’m not sure, but anyway thank you so much.”
The actress continues to thank her two sons who she says made her go out and work. Holding up the trophy she says to them, “this is the result, because mommy worked so hard.”
A true class act, Ms. Youn continues, “I’d like to dedicate this award to my first director Kim Kiyoung, who was a very genius director, I made a movie together with him – my first movie – I think he would be very happy if he was still alive.”
The film Yuh Jung is referring to is 1971’s “Woman Of Fire” which was the critical and commercial success that kick-started her remarkable career which spanned over five decades. Director Kim Kiyoung is considered to be one of Korea’s greatest and most original film directors whose career of eccentric and boundary breaking work is something every South Korean cinema fan should get acquainted with.
“Minari” is an American drama film, semi-based on Korean-American director Isaac Chung’s own story, following a family of South Korean immigrants who move from California to a farm in Arkansas in the 1980s.
Youn Yuh Jung wasn’t the only history-making award recipient of the night, with Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao becoming the first Asian woman to win “Best Director” for her film “Nomadland” which also won “Best Picture.”
These milestone wins follow last year’s Oscars when “Parasite” and its director and writer Bong Joon Ho took home four statues including “Best Picture,” making history as the first South Korean film to receive Academy Award recognition, as well as the first non-English-language film to win in that category.
Congratulations to Youn Yuh Jung for her well-deserved historical win!
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Justin is a K-pop fan from Australia who is passionate about shining a light on underrated and lesser known groups and artists. A lover of all types of music, devoted television drama and soap opera fan, and occasional video game nerd.
MEDIA: Chris Pizzello/AP/Getty Images