News | Entertainment
23 Feb 2026 11:19
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Youn Yuh-jung says her Oscar nomination is “stressful” because she feels as though she’s “competing for [her] country”

    The ‘Minari’ star will become the first South Korean actress in history to win the Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards if she takes home the trophy for her role in the drama at the ceremony on Sunday (25.04.21)


    And Yuh-jung has said she’s nervous about the big day because it feels “like the Olympics”.

    She told People magazine: "It's stressful. I feel like I'm competing for my country. It's like the Olympics. I don't believe in competition, especially comparing acting to one to another. So being nominated to me, means I already got the award."

    The 73-year-old actress has already taken home a Screen Actors Guild award and a BAFTA for the film, and recently said she felt “honoured” to have been selected for the accolades.

    Whilst accepting the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress earlier this month, Yuh-jung admitted she was incredibly shocked to have received the award because the British are known to be a bit "snobbish".

    She said: "Wow Britain! I am Korean actress, Yuh-Jung Youn, and I don't know what to say. I'm very honoured to be nominated for this award ... First, I'd like to express my deep condolences for your Duke of Edinburgh and thank you so much for this award. Every award means a lot but this one, especially recognised by British people known as very snobbish people, who chose me as the winner - I'm very grateful. Thank you very much."

    Yuh-jung previously said ‘Minari’ has "brought her a lot of gifts".

    She said: "Me, a 73-year-old Asian woman could have never even dreamed about being nominated for an Oscar. ‘Minari’ brought me a lot of gifts ... It’s embarrassing. Most people fell in love with the movies or fell in love with theatre. But in my case, it was just an accident ... To tell you the truth, I didn’t know what acting was. I tried to memorise the line and do whatever they asked me to do. At the time, I didn’t know if I was enjoying it or if I disliked it."

    © 2026 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     23 Feb: Kansas City Chiefs star Chris Jones has launched an impassioned defence of Travis Kelce
     22 Feb: James Van Der Beek was a "great leader on set", according to Algee Smith
     22 Feb: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been "released under investigation"
     22 Feb: Khloe Kardashian would "want to be married" before having any more kids
     22 Feb: Timothee Chalamet thinks AI is set to change the movie business
     22 Feb: Hailey Bieber has found fame to be "mentally exhausting"
     22 Feb: Andrew Windsor has been slammed as "never a prince" by Virginia Giuffre's family
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Scrutiny in the Crusaders after their 50-24 Super Rugby loss to the Brumbies in Christchurch More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    Business appears to be booming in most parts of the country More...



     Today's News

    Athletics:
    A tricky decision looms for Athletics New Zealand as to which female pole vaulters they select for the world indoor championships in Poland from March 20 to 22 11:07

    Motoring:
    Nascar driver Shane van Gisbergen has advanced up the field at the latest race in Georgia 11:07

    Auckland:
    A person whose car flipped after hitting a tree in South Auckland last Tuesday - died on Thursday 10:47

    National:
    How could Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor be removed from the line of succession to the throne? 10:37

    Law and Order:
    US Secret Service agents shoot and kill man trying to break into Trump's Mar-a-Lago 10:27

    National:
    Trump hikes global tariffs to 15% as the fallout from Supreme Court loss continues 10:27

    National:
    Gaza’s cultural sites have been decimated. UNESCO’s muted response sets a dangerous precedent 10:17

    National:
    As war in Ukraine enters a 5th year, will the ‘Putin consensus’ among Russians hold? 10:07

    International:
    Andrew's arrest leaves questions for Sarah Ferguson but daughters could be protected 10:07

    Motoring:
    Long-standing safety concerns at a busy south-west Christchurch intersection, are set to be addressed 10:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2026 New Zealand City Ltd