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)
23 April 2021
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."
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