South Korea’s Youn Yuh-jung wins Oscar best supporting actress for ‘Minari’

Youn Yuh-jung in “Minari.” Image: screenshot from official trailer via YouTube/A24

LOS ANGELES — South Korean film icon Youn Yuh-jung won the best supporting actress Oscar on Sunday for her role as a spirited and unconventional grandmother in “Minari.”

Youn, 73, is the first South Korean actor to win an Oscar and the first actor from that nation ever to clinch an Academy Award nomination.

Youn’s win was announced onstage by Brad Pitt, last year’s supporting actor winner.

“Mr. Brad Pitt,” Youn said to Pitt as she stepped up to the microphone. “Finally, nice to meet you.”

She was the frontrunner for an Oscar after picking up dozens of trophies this year for her role in “Minari,” a tender story about a Korean immigrant family that starts a farm in Arkansas.

Youn Yuh-jung from “Minari.” Image: Reuters

In the film, which is based partly on the life story of director Lee Isaac Chung, Youn’s character travels from South Korea to help care for her two grandchildren.

Youn has been a sensation on Korean screens for decades, most often playing witty, thought-provoking characters.

Youn’s fellow supporting actress nominees included Maria Bakalova for “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm,” Glenn Close for “Hillbilly Elegy,” Olivia Colman for “The Father” and Amanda Seyfried for “Mank.”

“I don’t believe in competition,” Youn said, acknowledging her fellow nominees in the category. “I have just a little bit luck, I think, maybe. I’m luckier than you.” JB

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