Oscars 2021: Yuh-Jung Youn calls out Hollywood peers for mispronouncing her name
‘You are all forgiven,’ Oscar winner said
Yuh-Jung Youn used her Oscars acceptance speech as a chance to correct people on the pronunciation of her name.
The 73-year-old South Korean actor, who won Best Supporting Actress for Minari, was given the trophy by Brad Pitt, who mispronounced her name.
After making her way to the stage, she said: “Mr Brad Pitt, finally, nice to meet you!”
In a light-hearted manner, she then acknowledged the common mispronunciation of her name throughout this past awards season, stating: “As you know I’m from Korea and actually my name is Yuh-Jung Youn. Most of Europe call me Yuh Youn and some of them call me Yuh-Jung.
“But tonight, you are all forgiven.”
Youn, who is the first Korean actor to have won an Academy Award, also expressed her shock at beating eight-time nominee Glenn Close, who has now made history for losing the most number of Oscars.
Close also found herself at one of the ceremony’s most unexpected moments when she twerked to “Da Butt”, a song by funk group Experience Unlimited.
Youn also beat Olivia Colman, Amanda Seyfried and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm star Maria Bakalova.
Earlier in the evening, Best Supporting Actor winner Daniel Kaluuya brought some much-needed levity to an otherwise awkward ceremony with a comment about his parents having sex that left his mum in shock.
The evening’s big champion was Chloé Zhao’s Nomadland, which won a handful of awards, including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress for Frances McDormand.
Find a full list of winners here.
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