Feisty Youn, 73, is poised to light up Oscars night

SHE enjoys smoking and drinking “lots” of white wine, and loves nothing more than lounging in bed all day watching TV or listening to old Neil Diamond songs.

- Mike Parker

Some of her favourite outfits in her wardrobe are 40 years old but don’t criticise her: she can bear a grudge forever.

At 73, Yuh-Jung Youn might be an unlikely first-time Oscar nominee. But the South Korean actress, and star of surprise hit film Minari, is aiming to take Hollywood by storm tonight.

She hopes to complete an astonishing “treble” at the Academy Awards by adding a best-supporting actress gold statuette to the Bafta and Screen Actors Guild wins she has already racked up this month. She would be the first Korean actress to win an Oscar.

Though a long-time major celebrity in her homeland, Youn’s sudden and meteoric worldwide rise has taken many in Tinseltown by surprise. But she will walk the red carpet tonight as one of the bookies’ top tips to land the most coveted prize of all.