Yoo Teo and Kang Dong-won Join As Members of the Academy Awards
The two South Korean actors have been invited to join the esteemed Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
In a recent development that underscores the growing influence of Korean cinema on the global stage, actors Kang Dong-won and L'OFFICIEL HOMMES Singapore Dec-Jan cover star Yoo Teo have received prestigious invitations to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the esteemed body responsible for the Academy Awards.
The announcement, made on June 26, revealed a roster of 487 new invitees, including Kang and Yoo. Kang Dong-won, celebrated for his compelling performances in films such as Broker and Peninsula, and Yoo Teo, acclaimed for his role in Past Lives, have been extended invitations to join the actors' branch of the Academy. Joining them is Celine Song, the Korean-Canadian director and screenwriter behind Past Lives, who has been invited to the directors' branch.
Acceptance of the Academy's invitation will bestow upon these artists the honour of becoming official members, complete with the coveted privilege of voting in the Academy Awards.
This inclusion continues a notable trend that began in 2015, with a steady stream of Korean filmmakers being inducted into the Academy. Trailblazers such as Parasite star Song Kang-ho and iconic Old Boy lead Choi Min-Sik, and directors Park Chan-wook, Bong Joon-ho and Im Kwon-taek, have paved the way. Their global legacy and influence has been further amplified by more esteemed directors Secret Sunshine's Lee Chang-dong, A Traveler's Needs' Hong Sang-soo, and The Whistle Blower's Yim Soon-rye, alongside actors Lee Byung-hun, Bae Doona, Ha Jung-woo, Kim Min-hee, and more.
In a significant milestone in 2020, several stars of the acclaimed film Parasite — including Choi Woo-shik, Jang Hye-jin, Jo Yeo-jeong, Lee Jung-eun, and Park So-dam — were invited to join the Academy simultaneously. That year also saw the induction of Youn Yuh-jung who won an Academy Award for "Best Supporting" role in the film Minari, followed by actor Park Hae-il in the subsequent year.
The continued recognition of Korean talent by AMPAS highlights the dynamic evolution and international impact of Korean cinema, promising further contributions to the rich tapestry of global film culture.
