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Youn Yuh-jung's historic triumph at the Oscars
  • April 27, 2021

Youn Yuh-jung's historic triumph
at the Oscars

Updated: 2021-04-27 06:58:14 KST
 

 

South Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung, on Sunday evening Eastern Standard Time, won this year's Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film "Minari." Not only is she the first Korean actress to bag an Oscar, but also only the second Asian actress to do so in the almost century-long history of the Academy Awards.

"I would like to thank my two boys who made me go out and work. So beloved son, this is the result because mommy worked so hard."

She emphasized in her acceptance speech and her backstage interview that she didn't believe in competition.

"I don't believe in competition. How can win over Glenn Close?? Win over Glenn Close. I've been watching so many of her performances. So this is just, all the nominees, five nominees, we are the winner for the different movie, different role."

In the interviews following her triumph, Youn Yuh-jung talked about diversity and how she hated how some people divide up others based on race, saying "We are all equal human beings with the same warm heart." She said the Academy wall has been too high for Asian people, even higher than quote "Trump's wall." She also toned down the importance people placed on the Academy Awards.

"People always emphasize first place, the best. Why don't we ditch all that and just all be valuable together and live together? I don't know if this is my best moment. The Academy isn't everything."

She also didn't miss the opportunity to quip at Brad Pitt.

"Actually Brad Pitt is our movie's producer. Americans have a way of talking fancy. I told him to use a little more money next time, and he cleverly talked his way out of it. He said he would spend a little more. But not a lot."

But most of her words were spent praising the movie's script and director.
She said that when she first met the movie's script she could feel how innocent and authentic it was, and that really touched her in ways she wasn't used to feeling.
Kim Yeon-seung, Arirang News