Oscars 2021: 'Minari' star Youn Yuh-jung makes history with Best Supporting Actress win

The Korean actress wore Egyptian label Marmar Halim as she charmed the audience with a hilarious acceptance speech

Youn Yuh-jung arrives at the 93rd Academy Awards in Los Angeles, California. Reuters

Another award, another record set – and Youn Yuh-jung also set the stage alight with a charming acceptance speech as she won Best Supporting Actress at this year's Oscars.

The South Korean star, 73, picked up the statuette for her performance in Minari, making history in the process.

Youn is the first Korean acting-category winner in the history of the Academy Awards, as well as the second woman of Asian descent to win the trophy. The first, Japanese-American actress and singer Miyoshi Umeki, won for Sayonara in 1958.

The star plays eccentric grandmother Soonja in the acclaimed immigrant drama, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, which follows a Korean family who establish a farm in 1980s Arkansas.

Collecting her award in Los Angeles's Union Station during the Sunday night ceremony, Youn provided plenty of light relief with her humorous acceptance speech.

After her name was announced by presenter Brad Pitt, the actress paid tribute to the Se7en actor as she took to the stage.

"Mr Brad Pitt, finally, nice to meet you!” she exclaimed. "Where were you when we were filming?"

Youn said that, during this awards season, many have butchered her name, but that on Sunday night, "you are all forgiven".

For the event, the actress wore a navy quilted design by Egyptian label Marmar Halim, finished with oversized pockets and a contrasting belt.

A major star in her native South Korea, veteran actress Youn beat out Maria Bakalova, Amanda Seyfried, Olivia Colman and Glenn Close for Sunday's award.

She paid tribute to Close during her speech, asking: "How can I win over Glenn Close?"

Youn added that she was lucky to be nominated for the award, before joking: "Tonight I'm luckier than you. And also maybe it's American hospitality for the Korean actor?"

She also gave a shout-out to her two children, who she teased "make me go out and work". Holding aloft her award, she added: "This is the result because mummy worked so hard!”

Youn also won Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role at this year's Sag Awards, as well as Best Supporting Actress at the Baftas.

She also delighted audiences at the latter with a witty acceptance speech, telling the audience at the digital ceremony: "Every award is meaningful, but this one, especially recognised by [the] British, known as very snobbish people ... so I'm very, very privileged and happy."

Follow The National’s live coverage of the 93rd Oscars here.