hankyoreh

South Korean actress Youn Yuh-jung’s witty comments weren’t the only striking thing about her speech at the 93rd Academy Awards, where she won the Oscar for best supporting actress. Viewers around the world were also captivated by the elegance and dignity of her dark navy dress.

The stylist in charge of Youn’s outfit at the awards ceremony recently gave an interview to the American media. His comments show that Youn’s principled attitude also extends to fashion.

“People [from fashion brands] wanted to pay her to wear the brands. And she is not into all those things,” said Alvin Goh, the stylist, in an interview with Page Six, the gossip column in the New York Post.

Goh explained that “at least 250 outfits” had been delivered to Youn before the Oscars.

“She wants to be comfortable,” Goh said. “She told me this and I’ll never forget it: ‘I do not need to stand out […] I don’t need big jewels, I don’t need crazy clothes.’”

Rather than the exotic and extravagant clothes that brands asked her to wear, Youn insisted on the elegant fashion she typically wears. That’s consistent with accounts from Youn’s friends, who say she’s not a fan of getting free clothes from sponsors.

As a Singaporean based in Hong Kong, Goh says he’s done outfits and makeup for some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, such as Emma Watson, Tilda Swinton, Uma Thurman, and Margot Robbie.

“I have never heard any celebrity say that to me,” Goh said. “it’s shocking for someone of that level like [Youn Yuh-jung] to say that; she’s been in this industry for more than 50 years!”

“She’s not into the princess look. She wants to look age-appropriate — she owns her age,” Goh said. “She’s a very understated lady.”

In the end, the dress that Youn chose for the awards ceremony was not by a famous brand but was by Marmar Halim, an Egyptian designer. Halim is active in Dubai, but little-known in Korea. Her dresses generally go for 1-3 million won (US$900-2,700).

Youn selected a deep navy blue dress in an elegant style, without any elaborate frills. Paired with a silver bracelet and other accessories, the dress underscored Youn’s own elegance.

Youn’s unique taste in fashion is why some of Korea’s top stylists are keen to work with her.

Kim Sung-il, a stylist, put it succinctly: “She has natural elegance. She’s graceful but not artificial, fashionable but not extravagant.”

In a 2017 Hankyoreh piece about Youn’s fashion choices, several stylists offered their thoughts about the actress.

“She has luxury in the sense that she understands the truth of a brand and knows how to enjoy fashion,” said Chae Han-seok.

“People with an outstanding sense of fashion — people who’ve worn on all the finest clothing — eventually come back to the most basic style. Youn may have a classic and ordinary look, but that’s where she’s most stylish.”

Gan Ho-seob, a professor of fashion design at Hongik University, said, “In a word, I’d like to say she’s on a journey of revolution and evolution. Youn’s fashion seems to be largely consistent with her life journey.”

“Sometimes, she pursues a revolutionary style through unconventional fashion choices that defy age, and sometimes she shows an evolution of style through her own mature fashion,” Gan said.

“It’s kind of like how Youn was both the main character in ‘Woman of Fire’ and the live-in maid in ‘The Housemaid.’”

In the end, Youn seems to have a good eye both for choosing films and for choosing outfits. That suggests how well she knows herself.

Youn has apparently finished shooting her Canadian scenes for the upcoming drama “Pachinko,” which will be broadcast on the streaming service Apple TV+. I’m curious to see what outfit she’ll wear to the “Pachinko” promotional event.

By Oh Seung-hun, staff reporter

Please direct comments or questions to [english@hani.co.kr]