Biography
Who is Youn Yuh-jung?
Early life and career beginnings
Youn Yuh-jung was born in Kaesong, South Korea, on June 19, 1947. She attended high school and later enrolled at Hanyang University to study Korean language and literature. During her college years in 1966, she successfully passed open acting auditions held by TBC, which led her to leave her studies behind to pursue an acting career.
She made her professional television acting debut in the drama Mister Gom in 1967. Her early television work helped establish her presence in the South Korean entertainment industry before she transitioned to film roles that brought her broader public attention.
Rise to stardom and early film success
In 1971, Youn achieved major commercial and critical prominence through her work in film and television. She starred in the feature film Woman of Fire directed by Kim Ki-young, earning recognition and a Best Actress award at the Sitges Film Festival. Following this breakthrough, she appeared in the historical drama Jang Hui-bin.
Her willingness to take on complex, unconventional characters set her apart from many of her contemporaries. Audiences responded warmly to her distinct speaking style and modern persona, leading to numerous additional television and film projects throughout the early part of her career.
Marriage and career hiatus
At the height of her professional success, Youn married singer Jo Young-nam. The couple immigrated to the United States and settled in St. Petersburg, Florida, where they lived for ten years and raised two sons together. During this period in the United States, Youn stepped away from her acting career.
After her marriage experienced difficulties due to extramarital affairs, Youn returned to South Korea in 1984. She and Jo divorced in 1987, and she began the challenging process of rebuilding her acting profession amidst societal stigmas facing middle-aged divorcées.
Career revival and international acclaim
Youn gradually re-established her career through versatile performances in television dramas and films. Her ability to play diverse characters allowed her to move beyond traditional maternal roles. She appeared in acclaimed works such as A Good Lawyer's Wife, The Taste of Money, and The Housemaid, while also participating in popular reality television programs like Sisters Over Flowers and Youn's Kitchen.
Her global recognition surged when she starred in the 2020 film Minari as Soon-ja. For this role, she made history by becoming the first Korean actress to win an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, alongside wins at the Screen Actors Guild Awards and the BAFTA Awards. She subsequently expanded her portfolio with international television series such as Pachinko and Beef.
Birthday and age
Youn Yuh-jung was born on June 19, 1947, which makes Youn 79 years old today. That birthday falls under the Gemini sign. Youn shares the date with 37 other famous people.
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