Kwak Yeon-soo is a digital editor at The Korea Times creating, editing and curating digital content for the newspaper’s website, mobile app and social media. She previously covered a diverse array of cultural, political and business topics.
'Decision to Leave' actor, co-screenwriter invited to join Oscars Academy
Actor Park Hae-il / Courtesy of CJ ENM
By Kwak Yeon-soo
By Kwak Yeon-soo
Actor Park Hae-il and screenwriter Chung Seo-kyung of “Decision to Leave” (2022) have been invited to join the U.S. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), which holds the Oscars.
This year AMPAS has appointed 398 new members, including actors Austin Butler, Nicholas Hoult and Ke Huy Quan.
Screenwriter Chung Seo-kyung / Courtesy of tvN
“The Academy is proud to welcome these artists and professionals into our membership. They represent extraordinary global talent across cinematic disciplines and have made a vital impact on the arts and sciences of motion pictures and on movie fans worldwide,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a statement.
To become a member, at least two existing members have to back the nomination and it has to be accepted by the committee, or the person has to have been nominated for an Academy Award. Specific requirements vary among different sectors. For actors, they have to have starred in at least three full-length films.
Park, known for his roles in “Memories of Murder” (2003) and “The Host” (2006) directed by Bong Joon-ho, most recently starred in “Hansan: Rising Dragon” (2022).
Chung has collaborated with auteur Park Chan-wook on writing screenplays of “Lady Vengeance” (2005), “The Handmaiden” (2016) and “Decision to Leave.” She recently wrote tvN series “Little Women.”
The Academy currently has some 50 Korean members, including directors Park, Bong, Lee Chang-dong, Im Kwon-taek and actors Song Kang-ho, Choi Min-sik and Lee Byung-hun.