“My Son Is Gay” Oscar-Winning Youn Yuh-jung Breaks Her Silence for the First Time

Korean screen legend Youn Yuh-jung has spoken publicly for the first time about her eldest son being gay. In a heartfelt interview with Variety on April 16 (local time), the Oscar-winning actress shared a deeply personal chapter of her life, just ahead of the release of her new Hollywood film ‘The Wedding Banquet’.

“My first son came out to me in 2000,” she revealed.

“When same-sex marriage was legalized in New York, I held his wedding there. Since we were keeping it a secret in Korea, the entire family flew to New York.”

Youn gently acknowledged the conservative climate in Korea, saying, “I still don’t know how people in my hometown will react. Maybe they'll throw books at me.” In a moment both candid and warm, she joked, “Now I think I love my son-in-law more than my son.” Her words highlighted the silent burdens many Korean parents may carry when raising LGBTQ+ children in a society that still lacks acceptance.

“Korea is still very conservative about these issues. It's not open at all,” she said, explaining why her role in the film felt personally significant.

A Film That Mirrors Her Truth

Youn stars in ‘The Wedding Banquet’, a romantic comedy exploring identity, queerness, and family expectations. The story follows a gay couple who stage a fake marriage to navigate real-life challenges—an updated remake of Ang Lee’s 1993 classic, now reimagined by Korean-American director Andrew Ahn.

Set in the immigrant communities of the U.S., the film brings together a diverse cast and reflects on themes of belonging and self-acceptance. Youn plays a Korean grandmother who discovers her grandson is gay—a role that mirrors her own life. One of her key lines in the film, spoken to her grandson, is: “Whoever you are, you’re still my grandson.”

Youn shared that this line came directly from her personal life, co-written with the director through shared conversations. “It’s not just a script. It’s what I truly told my son,” she said. “I hope this line helps someone out there.”

Her co-star Joan Chen praised Youn’s performance as “deeply emotional and utterly authentic.”

A Global Story with a Korean Heart

‘The Wedding Banquet’ features a stellar international cast including Han Gi-chan, Lily Gladstone, Kelly Marie Tran, Bowen Yang, and Joan Chen. Han Gi-chan plays Min, a gay Korean exchange student and Youn’s grandson, who becomes the center of the chaotic fake wedding plan.

The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, receiving widespread acclaim. The Washington Post called it “one of the standout titles at Sundance,” while Variety praised Andrew Ahn’s “funny yet heartfelt” reinterpretation of the original and dubbed Youn “still a scene stealer.” The Hollywood Reporter said she “brings warmth to the family dynamic.”

Reflecting on why she chose this film, Youn said, “The character felt deeply personal because of Korea’s conservative stance on homosexuality.” She hopes the film can spark more open conversations.

With honesty, empathy, and humor, Youn Yuh-jung is once again changing the game—not just as an actress, but as a mother, a storyteller, and a voice for change.

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