Oscar Winner Youn Yuh-jung Makes Milan Fashion Week Debut Alongside Han So-hee

In a moment that bridges five decades of Korean cinema history with the world of high fashion, Academy Award-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung departed Seoul on February 27 for her very first appearance at Milan Fashion Week. The 78-year-old legend, who captured global hearts with her Oscar-winning performance in Minari, was spotted at Incheon International Airport's Terminal 2 heading to Italy for the Bottega Veneta Winter 2026 fashion show.

A Milestone for Korean Cinema's Grand Dame

Youn Yuh-jung's invitation from Bottega Veneta carries a significance that extends far beyond a typical celebrity appearance at a fashion show. The Italian luxury house, renowned for its philosophy of quiet luxury and artisanal craftsmanship, has chosen to align itself with an actress whose career embodies those same values. Over more than fifty years in the Korean entertainment industry, Youn has built her reputation not through spectacle but through the steady accumulation of deeply human performances.

Her Oscar triumph in 2021, when she became the first Korean performer to win the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress, introduced her dry humor and magnetic presence to audiences worldwide. During the awards season, Youn charmed Hollywood with her candid acceptance speeches and refreshingly unfiltered personality, becoming an unlikely global cultural icon in her late seventies.

For Bottega Veneta, the choice signals a deliberate move toward ambassadors who represent substance over social media metrics. While younger Korean celebrities are typically courted for their massive online followings, Youn Yuh-jung brings something rarer: genuine international prestige earned through artistic excellence. Her attendance at the Winter 2026 show is expected to generate significant editorial coverage and reinforce the brand's positioning as a house that values timeless sophistication.

Han So-hee Continues Her Fashion Week Streak

Joining the Milan-bound contingent from Incheon Airport was actress Han So-hee, who has become one of the most recognizable Korean faces on the international fashion circuit. The 9ato Entertainment-represented star departed for the 2026 Milan Fashion Week after posing for photographers in what has become her trademark airport fashion moment.

Han So-hee's relationship with global fashion weeks has deepened considerably over the past year. She previously turned heads at the Dior Cruise 2026 show in Rome, where international media praised her striking presence on the front row. Her consistent attendance at major European fashion events has cemented her status as a dual-threat entertainer whose influence spans both the screen and the runway.

The actress's airport departures have themselves become mini media events, with each outfit choice dissected by fashion commentators and shared widely across social media platforms. Her February 27 look was no exception, drawing immediate attention from fans tracking her journey to Milan.

Two Generations, One Statement

What makes the simultaneous departures of Han So-hee and Youn Yuh-jung particularly meaningful is the generational contrast they present. Han So-hee represents the current wave of Korean actresses who seamlessly navigate between acting, modeling, and brand ambassadorship, leveraging digital platforms to build global personal brands. Youn Yuh-jung, by contrast, earned her international recognition through decades of acclaimed work in Korean cinema and television, culminating in her historic Oscar win.

Together, they illustrate the complete spectrum of what Korean entertainment talent can offer to the global luxury industry. Where Han So-hee delivers youth, digital engagement, and trend-setting style, Youn Yuh-jung provides cultural gravitas, critical acclaim, and a story that resonates with audiences who value achievement over aesthetics.

Their presence in Milan adds to a growing roster of Korean stars who have made fashion weeks essential stops on their annual schedules. As luxury houses continue to compete for Korean celebrity partnerships, the diversity of talent they can draw upon, from K-pop idols to Oscar-winning veterans, remains one of the Korean entertainment industry's most valuable assets on the global stage.