Korean Oscar-winning actor Youn Yuh-jung has recently been the center of attention due to a retrospective series dedicated to her at The Academy Museum in Los Angeles.
Youn gained widespread recognition later in her career for her role as the grandmother in Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari. However, her career in entertainment dates back to a golden era of Korean cinema, with her striking debut in 1971 in Kim Ki-young’s Woman of Fire.
According to the Academy’s notes on the seven-film series, Youn never compromised her practice to fit the patriarchal norms dominating mainstream cinema in Korea. She is an iconic figure and role model for many Korean actors, known for her bold and straightforward portrayal of characters.
What these notes don’t capture is Youn’s pragmatic, resilient, and humorous nature. In a recent conversation with Variety, Youn showcased her wry sense of humor. When reminded of her role in The Bacchus Lady, a film about geriatric prostitution, she laughed, recalling the tough experience of making the film. She admitted that she often plays cheeky roles, reflecting her personality.
Reflecting on her early career in Korea under a military government, Youn shared her experiences working with director Kim Ki-young. She only realized his genius later in life. During her early 20s, she found him eccentric and was initially suspicious of his intentions. However, she followed his direction and learned valuable lessons from him about acting, including the importance of specific gestures and expressions.
You also spoke about the challenging conditions on set during those times, but despite the hardships, she became famous for her first movie, leading to offers for commercial films. Eventually, she moved to television, which was gaining popularity.
In the modern era, Youn appreciates the advancements in filmmaking and the dedication of new-generation crews. Her comeback film after nearly two decades was with director Im Sang-soo, and despite the low pay, it was a positive experience.
Youn reflected on the societal expectations during her time, where women were expected to marry and settle down. She married at 27 but later got divorced, which made it difficult for her to find acting roles. However, she took on small parts and learned a lot from those experiences.
Today, Youn acknowledges that the entertainment industry in Korea has changed significantly. However, there are still expectations for Korean artists to maintain a certain image, including not having public relationships.
Recalling her early childhood in what is now North Korea, Youn has memories of fleeing to Seoul during the war and becoming a refugee. After the war, her father passed away from tuberculosis when she was nine, leaving her mother to care for three children.
“We became a family.” Congratulations to the incredible Yuh-Jung Youn. First ever Korean actor to win an Oscar, the light of our year, the only one of us brave enough to ask Brad why he didn’t visit set 💖 pic.twitter.com/cU9WqDA76K
— A24 (@A24) April 26, 2021
Youn initially aimed to attend Seoul National University but failed, leading her to seek part-time jobs. She started working in television and was eventually noticed for her cute appearance, leading to her becoming an assistant on a TV show. This opportunity opened doors for her in the entertainment industry.
You did not have a prepared speech for her Oscar win, and her translator got lost, leaving her to manage on her own. Similarly, at the BAFTAs, she was unprepared and sleepy, but her impromptu remarks resonated with the audience.
Looking ahead, Youn mentioned an upcoming project with Korean-American director Andrew Ahn, a remake of Ang Lee’s Wedding Banquet. She feels a connection to this project, partly because her son is Korean-American.
Overall, Youn Yuh-jung’s journey in the entertainment industry is marked by resilience, adaptability, and a continuous drive to push boundaries, making her an enduring and inspirational figure. Source
