Youn Yuh-jung

Youn Yuh-jung is a prominent South Korean actress recognized for her significant contributions to Korean cinema and television. Often referred to as the Godmother of Chungmu-ro, Youn began her career in Korean television and gained early acclaim with the film "Woman of Fire." Her performance in this film earned her the Best Actress Award at the Sitges Film Festival. Over her career, Youn has appeared in more than 80 television shows and nearly 30 feature films, earning numerous awards for her work.

After a brief retirement and time spent in the United States, Youn returned to South Korea and resumed her acting career, overcoming industry stigma associated with being a middle-aged divorcée. Unlike many contemporaries, Youn took on diverse roles that challenged traditional stereotypes, portraying confident and independent characters. Her performances in films such as "A Good Lawyer's Wife," "The Housemaid," "The Taste of Money," "The Bacchus Lady," and "Canola" have been recognized with honors including the Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Supporting Actress and the Grand Bell Award for Best Supporting Actress.

Youn achieved international recognition for her role in "Minari," becoming the first Korean actress to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She also received the SAG Award for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role and the BAFTA Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role. Youn is the first Asian actress to win an acting award in the motion pictures categories at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the first Asian actress to win an Academy Award since 1958.

Her career has been celebrated with retrospectives at Film at Lincoln Center, and she has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by TIME magazine. Youn received the Geumgwan Order of Cultural Merit at the Korea Popular Culture and Arts Awards for her contributions to the film industry. Variety included her in its International Women's Impact Report, recognizing her influence in global entertainment and her role in bridging Korean and Hollywood cinema.

Youn has also appeared in international productions, including the Apple TV+ series "Pachinko," the American film "The Wedding Banquet," and the Netflix series "Beef," for which she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series. Fluent in Korean and English, Youn is also recognized for her influence in fashion and style. Her career is marked by versatility, resilience, and a commitment to challenging conventions in the entertainment industry.