On April 25, Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung became the first Korean to win an acting award at the 93rd Academy Awards (Oscars). Youn won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as the feisty grandmother in the film Minari. Not only Korean society, but also the entire Asian community was thrilled at the news since more than six decades have passed since an Asian had won the award in this category. Before winning the Oscars, Youn Yuh-jung had been acclaimed by critics at the BAFTA (British Academy of Film and Television Arts), as well as the SAG (Screen Actors Guild).
Minari is a film picturing a Korean-American immigrant family’s American dream of settling in Arkansas to start a farm. Pioneering the rugged land of Ozarks, the members of the household realize the resilience of a true family and the meaning of a “home sweet home”. In the movie, Youn Yuh-jung played the role of the grandmother in the family. Although it was a supporting role, her performance stood out and caught the eye of many critics.
During the acceptance speech, Youn touched the audience with her characteristic witty humor. Mentioning that her name had been mispronounced countlessly many times, she said, “tonight you are all forgiven.” Also, she acknowledged the other actresses that had been nominated in the category—Amanda Seyfried, Olivia Colman, Maria Bakalova, and especially Glenn Close, whom she had most admired—and said, “I do not believe in competition.” 
Another remark that made the headlines occurred when she encountered Brad Pitt, who presented her the award and also happened to be a producer of Minari. She joked, “Mr. Brad Pitt, finally, nice to meet you!”, and won the heartwarming laugh of many people. She received an excessive amount of time in the spotlight for the encounter, as one can notice well enough in her being questioned about what Pitt smelled like. Later on, when asked of the media’s fixation on the episode, she responded with the classiest eye-roll there could be, charming many fans.
At a relatively elderly age of 73, Youn Yuh-jung certainly enchanted the world with her spell, both with her splendid acting and her delightful sense of humor.