Youn Yuh-jung is set to deliver another unforgettable turn as a Korean grandmother in the Hollywood remake of "The Wedding Banquet."
The film spins an unpredictable comedy out of a fake wedding scheme cooked up by two same-sex couples―until a razor-sharp grandma enters the chat. It reimagines Ang Lee’s 1993 classic of the same name.
Youn made Oscars history with "Minari," becoming the first Korean actor to win an Academy Award (Best Supporting Actress). As Soon-ja, she embodied a quintessential Korean grandmother, striking a deep chord with audiences far beyond Korea.
In "The Wedding Banquet," Youn plays Ja-young, a grandmother who warmly embraces her gay grandson, Min (Han Gi-chan). Even amid prejudice and bias, she wraps her family in compassion―yet she’s no pushover. Sensing that the wedding at the center of the story isn’t what it seems, her quick instincts fuel both the heart and the humor of the film.
After its Sundance premiere in January and North American release in April, Youn’s performance drew raves. The New York Times highlighted how she elevates the grandmother role, while Variety praised her commanding screen presence and the emotional resonance she brings.
Next, Youn will head to the 30th Busan International Film Festival for a Q&A with co-star Han Gi-chan and director Andrew Ahn. Known for his nuanced, sophisticated direction, Ahn marks Youn’s second collaboration with a Korean American filmmaker following "Minari" director Lee Isaac Chung―another reason cinephiles are paying attention.
"The Wedding Banquet," Youn’s second Hollywood feature, opens exclusively at Lotte Cinema in Korea on September 24.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)