Youn Yuh Jung - The first Korean actor to receive an Oscar: Being betrayed by her husband, responding to being looked down on

Ms. Youn Yuh Jung is a veteran Korean actress with many famous films such as The Handmaid, Lady Bacchus, Money Hound,... Last year, she went down in history as a Korean actress. received the first Oscar for his role in Aspiration to Change Life. In addition to her acting talent, she is also praised for her frankness and fierceness.

The first Korean actress to win an Oscar

At the 93rd Academy Awards, veteran actress Youn Yuh Jung made history for Korean cinema when she won the "Best Supporting Actress" award for her role as Soon Ja in the movie. the movie "Minari" (2020). This award makes her the first Korean actress to win an Oscar. Many famous stars in the Korean entertainment world such as: Park Seo Joon, Song Hye Kyo, Lee Byung Hun, Gong Hyo... all simultaneously congratulated and admired her talent.

In Korea, Youn Yuh Jung is known as the "national grandmother" because of her screen coverage. During her 55-year career, the Korean star has participated in more than 35 movies and 96 television productions. In each work she participates in, Youn Yuh Jung always transforms diversely and does not stereotype herself, even roles such as the third person, adultery or old prostitute do not make it difficult for her.

Youn Yuh Jung was born in 1947 in Gyeonggi. In 1966, when she was a freshman at Hanyang University, majoring in Korean Language and Literature, she took a talent test and was recruited. Because of her passion for acting, she dropped out of school. A year later, Youn hit the screen with the movie Mister Gong and immediately won the Best New Talent award at the TBC Drama Awards.

In 1974, she decided to retire from her career and follow her husband to America. After a long time, Youn Yuh Jung decided to return to her hometown and start over with supporting roles. In 2010, the female star named Youn marked a new milestone for her career when taking on the role of a powerful housekeeper in the movie "The Handmaid" (The Housemaid, 2010). Her character is commented by experts to be more impressive than the female lead Jeon Do Yeon.

In 2012, Youn Yuh Jung continued to make a big splash with the movie "The Taste of Money", which is considered the most controversial film on her artistic path. Many viewers couldn't help but blush with her hot scenes with a young actor who was 31 years younger than her - Kim Kang Woo.

In 2020, Youn Yuh Jung once again shines when playing the role of a monster grandmother Soon Ja in "Minari", a film about a Korean family who comes to the US to find a chance to change their lives. Sharing about participating in "Minari", Youn Yuh Jung said, "I accepted to participate in this movie probably because my sons are all Korean-American, my children are living in America. Really. In my heart, this is a film project that has many similarities with my own life. Perhaps, I also made this film for my two sons, because I understand their feelings." Before the Oscars, "Minari" also brought the actress 32 awards from large and small film festivals around the world.

Unfinished marriage with a cheating husband

Having a successful career, Youn Yuh Jung's life suffered from many ups and downs, starting from an unhappy marriage. In 1974, at the height of her career, she married legendary singer Jo Young Nam. Following the call of love, she quietly left the entertainment industry to move to the US to settle down with her husband.

However, during his years in the US, Jo Young Nam not only did not make money but also spent all of his wife's savings. He even cheated, leaving her and her son to run after another woman. Too distressed, Youn Yuh Jung hugged her son back to the country.

The day she returned to the screen, the actress encountered many barriers because of the prejudice of divorce and being a single mother. She was treated like a criminal, subjected to sarcasm and ridicule. Some viewers even called the TV station to ask not to show movies with Youn Yuh Jung.

However, thanks to her perseverance and talent, Youn Yuh Jung quickly regained her position not only in the Korean entertainment industry but also internationally.

At the age of 75, she still works hard in acting and loves her job. "I don't have to represent the country to attend the Olympics, but I feel like I'm competing for my country. It's stressful!", shared by Youn Yuh Jung when coming to the US to attend the awards ceremony. Oscars 2021.

Not only possessing a talent for acting, she is also a straightforward and fierce person. Having more than 50 years in the profession, Youn Yuh Jung is ready to react strongly to the actions that she considers disrespectful by Hollywood filmmakers and reporters.

The script was thrown because he was asked to audition

Recently, Youn Yuh Jung returned to the small screen with the movie Pachinko. The revelation of the veteran star during the making of the film caused controversy. Youn Yuh Jung said that she threw 8 episodes of the script out the door when the producer asked to audition for the role even though they were the ones who came to her first.

"Can't understand why they forced me to audition when I have more than 50 years of experience. Wouldn't the Korean entertainment industry call me 'Youn Yuh Jung failed the audition' if the producer judged me Not suitable for the role. I don't want to bet 50 years of prestige just because of this role," she said.

The audience divided into 2 streams of opinions before Youn Yuh Jung's actions. Many people believe that auditioning is part of the production process of a movie. Not only Youn Yuh Jung, but many famous actors in the world who have won prestigious awards have to audition if necessary.

On the contrary, a part of netizens believe that her acting ability has been proven through many successful roles, so auditioning is not necessary. The media said that the controversy stemmed from the difference in the drama production culture of the US and Korea.

Responding when asked rudely by a reporter

At the Oscars 2021, actor Brad Pitt was the one to present the prestigious golden statue to Youn Yuh Jung. At the end of the award ceremony, a reporter kept asking questions to the Korean actress, but not about the role or the award she just won, but about... Brad Pitt.

More outraged, the reporter asked her what Brad Pitt smelled like. Immediately, Mrs. Youn replied: "I'm not a dog, why am I sniffing him?"

Korean netizens are extremely indignant at the attitude of international reporters, and at the same time gloating at the extremely intelligent and sharp response of the "national grandmother".

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