Youn Yeo-jeong "I Understood the Feelings of Soccer Players... It Was Stress I Experienced for the First Time" (Comprehensive)

Youn Yuh-jung, the first Korean actress to win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dong-hyun] "I understood how Korean soccer players must have felt. I was worried about what would happen if I didn't win an award. It was the first stress I had ever experienced."

On the 25th (local time), actress Youn Yuh-jung held a press conference with Korean correspondents at the LA Consul General's residence right after the 93rd Academy Awards and shared her thoughts on winning the Oscar. Youn Yuh-jung candidly spoke about her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress and the pressure she had felt until then, now with a lighter heart.

Youn said that as the public's expectations grew beyond what she had anticipated, she felt increasing pressure. She said, "At first, just being nominated for the Academy was an honor," adding, "As the public's support grew, it became so tough that the blood vessels in my eyes almost burst." She continued, "When the whole nation went crazy during the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup, I wondered how distracted the soccer players must have been, and how hard it was for Kim Yuna," adding, "It wasn't very enjoyable."

Youn said she herself had low expectations of winning. She said, "I didn't think I would win and hoped Glenn Close would," adding, "Around 2000, I saw her play in a theater in the UK and thought she was amazing; she was the same age as me." She continued, "Maybe because I've lived a long life and been betrayed many times, I didn't expect such things," adding, "My name was called, and although I couldn't speak English well, I gave a messy acceptance speech."

She also shared an anecdote about coming to the awards ceremony with actress Han Ye-ri. Youn said, "Only one person can be brought as a nominee, but I couldn't bring just one of my two sons," adding, "My younger son recommended a friend named Kim In-ah, who campaigned with me here, and Kim In-ah said it would be beautiful if Han Ye-ri came, so she came along."

Regarding her acting philosophy, Youn said, "It started from a sense of inferiority," adding, "Because I know my weaknesses, I memorize diligently." She continued, "My starting point was to memorize hard so as not to cause any trouble," adding, "The script was like the Bible to me."

Youn waved off the idea that this is her best moment. She said, "I really dislike the word 'best,'" emphasizing, "Can't we just be 'the most middle'? Can't we live together? The Academy isn't everything." She added, "The Academy is too high a wall for Asians," and said, "Let's just live equally. I don't really know if this is the best moment."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.