Yuh-Jung Youn is a celebrated South Korean actress whose remarkable career has spanned more than five decades and bridged the worlds of Korean television, cinema, and international productions. Born on June 19, 1947, in Kaesong, Gyeonggi Province, she began her career in Korean television in the late 1960s and quickly rose to prominence with her performance in the 1971 film Woman of Fire. That early success established her as a distinctive screen presence, but her path would prove anything but conventional.

In the mid-1970s, at the height of her early fame, Youn retired from acting and immigrated to the United States, stepping away from the industry for roughly a decade. She returned to Korea in 1984 and set about rebuilding her career from the ground up. Over the following decades, she became one of the most respected and prolific character actresses in Korean entertainment, earning the affectionate title "Godmother of Chungmu-ro" in reference to Seoul's historic film district. Her filmography from this period includes The Housemaid, The Taste of Money, The Bacchus Lady, and Canola.

On television, Youn became widely known for her commanding portrayals of matriarchs across a string of popular dramas, including Men of the Bath House, Be Strong, Geum-soon!, Daughters-in-Law, My Husband Got a Family, and Dear My Friends. She also charmed audiences in reality programming such as Sisters Over Flowers, Youn's Kitchen, and Unexpected Journey, which showcased her wit and warmth to a broader viewership.

Youn achieved international acclaim for her performance in Minari, a 2020 film that brought her global recognition. Her portrayal of Soon-ja, a grandmother navigating life with her Korean-American family, earned her the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, making her the first Korean actress to win an Oscar. The role also brought her numerous other honors and cemented her status as an international star.

Following her Oscar win, Youn expanded her work into international productions. She appeared in the Apple TV+ series Pachinko, the American film The Wedding Banquet, and the Netflix series Beef, the latter of which earned her a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie. She was married to singer Jo Young-nam, and her long, multifaceted career stands as a testament to her resilience and enduring talent.