Veteran Korean star Youn Yuh-jung made history by winning best supporting actress at the 93rd Academy Awards held Sunday (Monday in the Philippines) in Los Angeles.
The 73-year-old star won the award for her role in “Minari,” becoming the first South Korean to get nominated for and win an acting award at the Oscars. She is also the second Asian to win best supporting actress after Miyoshi Umeki of Japan won in 1957 for “Sayonara.”
With her win, Youn Yuh-jung rewrote Korean film’s 102-year history.
For Oscar best supporting actress, Youn Yuh-jung defeated Maria Bakalova of "Borat Subsequent Moviefilm," Glenn Close of "Hillbilly Elegy," Olivia Colman of "The Father" and "Amanda Seyfried of "Mank."
Youn Yuh-jung’s Oscar win came after she won best supporting actress at the 74th British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs) held on April 11 and at the 27th Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards.held on April 4 in Los Angeles.
Ahead of the Oscars, Youn Yuh-jung was picked to win the award by the New York Times and awards prediction website Gold Derby.
“Minari” bagged six Oscar nominations: best picture, best director and best original screenplay for Lee Isaac Chung, best actor for Steven Yeun, best supporting actress and best original score.