3 Korean-American Academy members join 2024 Oscars voting group

Four Korean Academy members—three Korean Americans and one South Korean—have been invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the organization behind the Academy Awards, granting them voting rights for future Oscar nominations and winners.

On June 26, the Academy announced its 2024 class of 534 new members, spanning 20 professional categories including actors, directors, writers, producers, casting directors, documentary filmmakers, sound engineers, and animators.

Among this year’s new Korean American inductees are:

• Charlotte Koh, Vice President at Lionsgate, was selected in the executives category. Born in Utah and a political science graduate from Stanford University, Koh previously held senior roles at Marvel Studios and headed Hulu’s Originals division.

• Joanne Kim, named in the technology category, is a senior post-production executive at Legendary Entertainment. She has worked on major titles including Dune, Enola Holmes, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., and Godzilla.

• Rina Yang, a UK-based Korean cinematographer, was selected in the cinematography category. Yang began her career in music videos and has worked with high-profile artists such as Dua Lipa, Taylor Swift, and Troye Sivan.

In addition, Eunyoung Choi, a South Korean animator, was inducted in the animation category. Based primarily in Japan, Choi has served as director, producer, and animator on several acclaimed projects. The Academy cited The Colors Within and INU-OH as representative works of her career.

The new additions expand the growing list of Korean and Korean American Academy members. Past inductees include actors Song Kang-ho, Kang Dong-won, Park Hae-il, Yoo Teo, and Greta Lee, along with directors Celine Song, Lee Chang-dong, Park Chan-wook, and Bong Joon-ho.

BY KYEONGJUN KIM   [kim.kyeongjun@koreadaily.com]