SEOUL, Jun. 26 (Korea Bizwire) — South Korean actors Gang Dong-won and Teo Yoo have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the organization behind the prestigious Academy Awards.
Their names were included when AMPAS announced a list of 487 artists and experts from around the world who were invited to become new members Tuesday (U.S. time).
Gang appeared in “Broker,” “Peninsula” and, most recently, “The Plot,” while Teo Yoo starred in “Vertigo” and “Past Lives.”
The “Past Lives” trio of Celine Song, Greta Lee and Teo Yoo were all included on the new AMPAS list. While the film did not win any awards at this year’s Academy Awards, it was nominated for best picture and best screenplay.
Jo Yeong-wook, the music director of “Decision to Leave” and “Hunt,” also received an invitation from AMPAS.
The invitees can exercise their voting rights if they accept the invitation.
Since “Parasite” director Bong Joon-ho and lead star Song Kang-ho joined the ranks of AMPAS in 2015, Korean actors and film professionals have continued to become members.
In 2020, when “Parasite” won four Oscar trophies, its cast members Choi Woo-shik, Park So-dam and Cho Yeo-jeong, along with producer Kwak Shin-ae, editor Yang Jin-mo, production designer Lee Ha-jun and composer Jung Jae-il, joined AMPAS. Last year, Park Hae-il of “Decision to Leave” became a member.
According to the Academy, the 487 new members this year represent an increase from the 398 invited last year. The record for most invitees was set in 2018, when 928 were invited as part of the Academy’s efforts to diversify its membership.
(Yonhap)