[Summary] "Brad Pitt Smell? ...I'm Not a Dog" Youn Yuh-jung's Wit Shines in the US and UK

Honest Speech Wins Audience Applause at Awards Ceremony
"Recognized by Refined British People," "Where Was Brad Pitt?"
"Will Act Until I Die Without Bothering Others"
"Our Official Speech Champion" Praised by UK BBC and Others

Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung attended the 93rd Academy Awards held at Union Station in Los Angeles (LA), USA, on the 25th (local time). / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Juhyung] Actress Youn Yuh-jung (74), who became the first Korean actress in the history of Korean cinema to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in the United States, captivated the world with her eloquence. Youn Yuh-jung, a veteran actress with 56 years of acting experience, does not use fancy rhetoric or put on unnecessary airs.

Instead, she drew the audience's response with straightforward yet humorous remarks. It is even said that her use of 'broken English'?English that is grammatically incorrect or informal?at the awards ceremony became part of her charm.

Youn Yuh-jung previously attracted attention with her unique wit at the Sundance Film Festival last year, where the film "Minari" premiered worldwide. At that time, she candidly confessed the difficult conditions on the independent film set, saying, "Honestly, I didn't want to do this film," because "I knew it would be hard," which made the audience laugh.

Her straightforward eloquence shone again on the 12th (local time) when she became the first Korean actor to win the British Academy Film Award for Best Supporting Actress. At the ceremony, she joked, "The British, known for being snobbish, recognized me as an actress," and added, "It is especially meaningful and an honor that the British acknowledged me as a good actress," earning applause from the audience.

At the 93rd Academy Awards held at Union Station in Los Angeles (LA), California, USA, actress Youn Yuh-jung (left, 74), the first Korean actress to win the Best Supporting Actress award, poses with Hollywood star actor Brad Pitt (right, 58). / Photo by Yonhap News

At the Academy Awards held on the 25th, she began her acceptance speech wittily by saying, "I finally got to meet Brad Pitt, the producer of 'Minari,'" and asked, "Where have you been all this time?"

She also said, "I am Youn Yuh-jung, a Korean actress," and humorously pointed out, "But people in America or Europe call me 'Yeo' or 'Jung.' I will forgive you for mispronouncing my name," which made the audience laugh.

Youn Yuh-jung responded with wit even to some reporters' 'mischievous' questions. When a reporter backstage at the ceremony asked, "What did Brad Pitt smell like?" she replied, "I did not smell him. I am not a dog."

Regarding this, the British media outlet The Times praised her, saying, "Youn Yuh-jung is the official speech champion we chose for this year's film festival awards season," and "This Korean actress gave the best speech once again."

Actor Youn Yuh-jung is holding a press conference with correspondents at the Consulate General in Los Angeles (LA) after the American Academy Awards ceremony. / Photo by Yonhap News

British public broadcaster BBC also praised her, saying, "Her response to the question 'What did Brad Pitt smell like?' with 'I am not a dog' was the best line of this awards ceremony."

Although Youn Yuh-jung has risen to the ranks of a great actress receiving global attention beyond Korea, she has not lost her humble attitude. In her acceptance speech, she expressed that it was an honor to stand alongside Hollywood actresses such as Maria Bakalova, Glenn Close, Olivia Colman, and Amanda Seyfried.

Youn Yuh-jung emphasized, "There can be no competition in our society," and said, "The five nominees for Best Supporting Actress all played different roles in different films. We are all winners."

She also personally expressed her respect, saying, "How could I possibly beat a great actress like Glenn Close?" and "I have seen many of her excellent works."

Actor Youn Yuh-jung sharing her thoughts at an online press conference after the Academy Awards ceremony in the United States. / Photo by Yonhap News

When asked about her future plans by reporters, she modestly replied, "None," and said, "Just because I won an Oscar doesn't mean Youn Yuh-jung becomes Kim Yeo-jung. As I get older, memorizing lines is difficult. It's hard to be a burden to others, so I hope to continue acting until I no longer cause trouble to anyone and then die."

Meanwhile, Youn Yuh-jung became the first Korean actor to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress through this ceremony. She is the first Asian actress to do so in 63 years since Miyoshi Umeki in the 1957 film "Sayonara."

"Minari," in which she starred, is a film depicting the settlement of a Korean immigrant family in the United States. Besides Best Supporting Actress, "Minari" was nominated in a total of six categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Actor, and Best Original Score.