Oscar winner Youn Yuh-jung: a look at her impressive career

Youn Yuh-jung was the first Korean star to win an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in the film 'Minari.' Although western movie watchers may not know it, Youn has been acting for five decades and won many awards. Join us as we take a look at her life and career.

Youn Yuh-jung came into the world in Kaesong, Gyeonggi Province, on June 19, 1947. After her father died when she was quite young, her mother raised her along with her two sisters. For most of their childhoods, Youn and her sisters grew up in the city of Seoul.

Picture: Yujin Seo / Unsplash

After graduating from Ewha Girls' High School, she was accepted at Hanyang University, where she studied Korean Language and Literature.

In 1966, while she was still a university student, Youn made it through the open auditions held by TBC, a South Korean television station. Her life took a very different direction.

Her passion for acting resulted in Youn quitting university, and she made her first television appearance in 1967 on the drama 'Mister Gom.'

Picture: Still from 'Mister Gom'

By 1971 she had achieved star status in South Korea with her portrayal of two different dangerous women. Her starring role in Kim Ki-young's 'Woman of Fire' won her the Best Actress award in the 1971 edition of the 'Sitges Film Festival' in Catalonia, Spain.

Pictured: A poster for the film 'Woman of Fire' featuring Youn Yuh-Jung.

Youn Yuh-jung earned a reputation as a risk-taking actress who didn't shy away from atypical female roles. Film director Kim Ki-young, known for his experimental films, enjoyed working with the open-minded actress. Together they made the film 'The Insect Woman' in 1972 and later 'Be a Wicked Woman' in 1990.

Pictured, the 1990 movie poster for 'Be a Wicked Woman.'

Yuh-jung gained popularity with audiences for her fast manner of speaking and atypical appearance. She got many roles in TV dramas where she represented the new generation of women. An example is the drama series 'Stepmother' in 1972 (image).

Youn was at the top of her game when she chose to retire from the acting world in 1974. She married Jo Young-nam (pictured), a singer, and the couple migrated to the United States, where they would have two sons together.

Picture: Roh HoeChan Official Website

However, her time in the States didn't last long. by 1984, she decided to return to Korea and her acting career. In 1987 Jo and Youn divorced - an act that was stigmatized and negatively affected her acting career.

Picture: Still from the movie 'Insect Woman'

Still, Youn Yuh-jung's talent helped to make a comeback. Despite most middle-aged female actresses in Korea playing stereotypical mother roles, Youn's talents allowed her to access parts that were much more exciting. For example, a woman who neglects her dying husband and has affairs, the role she played in the 2003 file 'A Good Lawyer's Wife.'

As she began to age, Youn stated she was worried about how her age would affect her career. She said: "I don't mind being called an old actress, but I do worry about how to carry on my acting career without looking like an old fool."

However, she didn't need to worry; the roles and opportunities continued to come her way. Interestingly, it was in 2013 that Youn felt her image with the public improved after appearing on a travel game show called 'Sisters Over Flowers.'

In 2015, Youn and actor Park Geun-hyung worked together for the first time since 1971 on the film 'Salut d'Amour.' Directed by Kang Je-gyu, the film tells the story of two senior citizens who fall in love.

Youn Yuh-jung continued to work non-stop on films such as 'Canola' (2016), 'Keys to the Heart' (2018), and 'Lucky Chan-si' (2019). She won awards at various festivals for best actress, best supporting actress, and best star.

Pictured: the movie poster for 'Canola.'

In 2020 she took on a role that would once again change the path of her career. In the American film 'Minari' she played the supporting role of a Korean grandmother who moves to Arkansas with her Korean-American family.

Even before the Oscars, Americans were excited about Youn's talents. The actress received recognition from more than 40 well-known American film critics, including the 'National Board of Review' and the 'LA Film Critics Association.'

When she was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress, Youn didn't expect to win. She was up against legendary American actresses such as Glenn Close. However, much to her delight, she became the first Korean actress to win an Oscar from the Academy.

Youn Yuh-jung was awarded many other awards for her talents in 'Minari.' She was also the first Korean actress to win a BAFTA award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role and the first Asian actress to win an acting award from the Screen Actors Guild.

After tremendous success, Youn has kept working on different projects for TV and cinema. In 2022, she appeared in the Apple+ TV show 'Pachinko', and in the 2021 movie 'Heaven: To the Land of Happiness.' Meanwhile, Kim Deok-Min's movie 'Dog Days' wrapped in April 2022.

It is clear that Youn Yuh-jung continues with her work as she always has. We look forward to seeing which projects she will choose to work on next because, with her international fame, the world is her oyster.