The Legendary Oscar Winner Youn Yuh Jung

By Jae-Ha Kim
KOCOWA
May 4, 2021

“Minari” star Youn Yuh Jung — who had lived in the United States for 13 years before returning to South Korea — made a triumphant return to America recently. The lauded film was nominated for six Academy Awards, but its only win went to Yuh Jung for Best Supporting Actress.

This was a historic achievement. Yuh Jung was the first Korean actress to ever win an Oscar, and just the second Asian woman ever to take home a trophy for best supporting actress. (Miyoshi Umeki won for 1957’s “Sayonara.”)

Though the scene-stealing actress was honored for her work in “Minari” by the likes of the National Society of Film Critics and the Screen Actors Guild, the Academy Award is the icing on the cake during awards season.

In her charming acceptance speech, she teased presenter Brad Pitt (one of the film’s executive producers) for not visiting the sweltering set when the cast was filming. And she cheekily made it known that people have consistently gotten her name wrong, “but tonight, you are all forgiven.”

Among the people whom she thanks, Yuh Jung namechecked Kim Ki Young, who had directed her in her very first film, “Woman of Fire,” in 1971.

Her speech was humorous, peppered with doses of what her life was like after she got divorced, had two sons to raise and returned to Korea, where prejudice against divorcees was strong. “I’d like to thank my two boys who made me go out and work,” she said. “This is the result, because mommy worked so hard.”

Back then, the actress couldn’t afford to be picky about the projects she picked. But no matter what the project was, she made the part her own.

One of her most famous pre-“Minari” roles was portraying an elderly sex worker in 2016’s “The Bacchus Lady.” Her stunning performance won her several awards, including a Woman in Film of the Year Award at the Women in Film Korea Awards, as well as Best Actress at the Asia Pacific Screen Awards.

And while “Minari” was her first Hollywood film, it wasn’t her first time working on a U.S. production. Yuh Jung — along with Bae Doona (“Matrimonial Chaos,”  “Master of Study” ) — was cast by Lana and Lilly Wachowski (of “The Matrix” fame) to be in the series “Sense8.”

Her upcoming releases include the film, “Heaven: To the Land of Happiness,” and a serial adaptation of Min Jin Lee’s bestselling novel, “Pachinko” for Apple TV+. The series will also star Lee Min Ho ( “The Heirs,” “The Great Doctor“).

Clearly, she is a versatile actress who can handle just about any role. And if you’re like many “Minari” fans, you probably want to see more of her work. Here are some of her K-dramas that you can watch right here on KOCOWA. Enjoy!

Never Twice” (2019)

Yuh Jung plays the owner of an inn, who treats her guests like family. When a chaebol’s son (played by Kwan Dong Yeon) falls in love with one of the inn’s residents, he visits Yuh Jung in an attempt to impress her.

Also recommended:

“The King 2 Hearts” (2012): She plays the Queen Mother, whose son Prince Jae Ha (played by Lee Seung Gi) is destined to be king.

“Listen To My Heart” (2011): Yuh Jung co-stars in this touching series about a deaf man who misleads people into thinking he can hear and a woman who downplays her own intelligence out of concern for her mentally disabled dad.

“Home Sweet Home” (2010): Any K-drama starring Kim Hye Soo (“The Queen of the Office,” “Hyena“) is worth watching, but with Yuh Jung in a supporting role? It’s a must-see. She plays the sister of a man who may have been murdered.