In what may become a new tradition for Korean artists, Yoon Yeo-jung won Best Supporting Actress this year at the Oscars. Like Bong Joon-ho, she made history as she is the first Korean to win an acting award at the Oscars and only the second Asian woman to win Best Supporting Actress in the history of the awards.
Yoon won praise for her role in Minari and her portrayal of a grandmother who follows her daughter to live in the U.S. The film has been widely-acclaimed for its moving and realistic portrayal of a Korean family who puts down roots in the U.S.
She accepted her award with her typical humor and verve. After saying hello to Brad Pitt and asking where he was during Minari’s filming (he’s a producer on the film), she thanked director Lee Isaac Chung and cast of Minari. Yoon also thanked her two sons and gave a shoutout to the Kim Ki-young, who was the director of her debut film, 1971’s Woman of Fire.
In Korea, Yoon Yeo-jung has long been seen as a fierce and independent woman and has never hesitated to take on unconventional characters. I’m glad that more people are getting to know her now, because everyone should know her name. And in contrast to the lack of acting recognition for Parasite’s cast at the Oscars last year, it’s nice to see a Korean actor getting accolades for her craft and artistry.
Following the awards ceremony, Yoon Yeo-jung took questions first in English; then continued on to a presser at the Korean Consulate in Los Angeles. During the English portion, a reporter thought it would be the best use of her time to ask Yoon Yeo-jung what Brad Pitt smells like. I’ve seen American celebrities asked what other celebrities smell like before, but it’s usually done during the pre-awards red carpet chatter. It felt a little disrespectful to ask such a frivolous question, no matter how good-natured the intent might have been or how funny Yoon’s repartee was: “I didn’t smell him, I’m not a dog.”
In contrast, the Korean questions focused on Yoon’s career and we got to see more of her sharp wit and intellect. During the Korean press conference, Yoon shared that due to COVID-19 restrictions, she was limited to one guest for the ceremony. Because she has two sons, she couldn’t choose between them to be her date, and at the suggestion of one of the Minari producers, she decided to invite Han Ye-ri to accompany her. It was a nice touch as they played a mother and daughter in the film.
Yoon Yeo-jung, Han Ye-ri
The first reporter asked Yoon about her philosophy for acting and how she’s honed such a fine wit. “My acting philosophy is borne out of an inferiority complex. I didn’t major in theater at university and I only began acting while I was working part-time. I knew my weaknesses and I worked hard to memorize scripts in order not to be a nuisance; that was my acting philosophy. I knew I had to be desperate. I liked the work, but I also had to make a living. The script was my Bible. I worked hard. There’s that famous saying, ‘How do you get to Broadway? Practice.’ Practice cannot be overlooked. As for my wit, I’ve been alive for a long time. I’m also a big talker when I’m with my friends and I think my wit has been developed by that.”
When asked about her thoughts on her win and if she considers this to be one of the best moments of her life, she had this to say: “There’s no such thing as a ‘best’ moment. I don’t like ‘best’ anything. I don’t like competitions. Can’t we all just be great at being average together? The Academy isn’t everything…Can’t we all be equals? Would that make me a socialist?”
One of the reporters asked for her thoughts on why the film had been so well-received, and Yoon said that he should be asking a film critic because actors focus more on their work and roles. But she did have this to say, “The script was well-written. As I was doing interviews, I realized that parental sacrifice, a grandmother’s sacrifice, these are universal stories. It’s something that moves people. Parents sacrifice and a grandmother’s love is unconditional. [Lee Isaac Chung] wrote a script that was full of sincerity.”
Yoon Yeo-jung was also asked about what her plans are now for her post-Oscar future. She was unfazed about her status as a newly-minted Oscar winner, “I have no future plans right now. I’ll live as I’ve always lived. I won’t become a different person just because I’ve won an Oscar.”
Left-right: Kim Yoon-kyung, Nam Jung-im, Na Mun-hee, Yoon Yeo-jung, Kim Hye-ja, on the set of 1976 daily drama Girls’ High School Graduates
Choi Moo-ryong, Yoon Yeo-jung winning Best Actor and Best Actress respectively at the 1971 Blue Dragon Awards
Yoon Yeo-jung, Brad Pitt
Han Ye-ri, Yoon Yeo-jung