Oscars 2021: meet the 6 Asian nominees, from Nomadland director Chloé Zhao to Minari stars Steven Yeun and Youn Yuh-jung
- Steven Yeun and Riz Ahmed, who many may recognise from The Walking Dead and the Star Wars franchise respectively, are both up for best actor – a historic first
- Meanwhile, Derek Tsang – son of Hong Kong TVB executive Eric Tsang – is in the running for best international feature film for Better Days
This March, six Asian talents received coveted Oscars 2021 nods. Out of the historic nine actors of colour to receive nominations across all acting categories, three are Asians. In a season of many firsts, three Asian directors also received nominations.
This is significant as it will (hopefully) pave the way for more diversity, inclusion and acceptance in Hollywood. Ahead of the awards show on April 25 (April 26, 8am in Hong Kong time), get to know the six influential Asian talents nominated at the 2021 Academy Awards.
Youn Yuh-jung
In the running: best supporting actress for Minari
She’s the first South Korean actress to be nominated for an Oscar, a Bafta, a Critics’ Choice Movie Award and two Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards – the latter three of which she won.
The 73-year-old Youn Yuh-jung made her acting debut in 1967, after passing an acting audition held by a local broadcasting company. However, her breakthrough moment – in an illustrious career spanning over 50 years – came four years later in 1971, when she won awards for her role as a femme fatale in the film Woman of Fire.
Acting took a back seat when she got married and immigrated to the United States in 1975, resuming only in 1984 when she returned permanently to South Korea. In a testament to her talent and charm, Youn beat the odds in a youth-obsessed society by pulling off a stellar comeback despite her age and the stigma attached to divorcees.