Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung marked her 80th birthday with a quiet home party surrounded by close friends, skipping the lavish gala many would expect for Korea’s first Academy Award-winning actor.
MyDaily reported on October 18 that KAIST professor Jung Jae-seung shared photos from the celebration on his social media account on October 17, giving fans a rare glimpse of the famously private star’s milestone birthday.
According to Jung’s post, the party was held at Youn’s own home: a modest 80th birthday party held just among themselves. The photos show Youn in comfortable clothes, smiling around a dinner table with guests including veteran singer Kim Soo-chul and artist Junghyun.
Jung described the evening as filled with delicious food, a fantastic guitar sanjo performance by Kim Soo-chul, a meaningful painting gift from Junghyun, and laughter-filled conversation that never ran cold.
In one standout photo, Jung poses holding what appears to be the Oscar trophy Youn received for “Minari” — a striking image pairing the intimate gathering with the star’s global legacy. The report notes the humble celebration stood out all the more against her world-class achievements.
Youn made history in 2021 by winning Best Supporting Actress at the 93rd Academy Awards for “Minari,” becoming the first Korean actor to win an Academy acting award. Born in 1947, she turned 80 this year. No official statement was available, with the birthday news reaching the public through Jung’s post.
