10 Best Movies of Yum Jung Ah

Actress Yum Jung Ah had already earned achievements before entering the entertainment industry. She placed first runner-up in the 1991 Miss Korea pageant and represented Korea at Miss International 1992, taking the second runner-up title.

With great creditability, Yum Jung Ah made her mark as an actress by entering the world of drama in 1991 and movies in 1992. As of today, she has participated in various movie projects and earned awards from the South Korean film community. Explore Yum Jung Ah's most outstanding performances in the ten selected movies below! Don't miss it!

1. Sad Movie

Released in 2005, "Sad Movie" features Yum Jung Ah in a compilation of four different narratives played by eight characters. Each story depicts the most beautiful goodbyes of their lives.

In one story, Yum Jung Ah plays as Ju Young, a busy mom with a limited amount of time for her son, Hee Chan. Everything changes when Ju Young is diagnosed with an illness, which results in a long term hospitalization.

As Ju Young and Hee Chan navigate their evolving relationship, there are three more stories of heartache unfolding, which collectively make up the tale of "The Sad Movie".

2. A Tale of Two Sisters

After being released from a mental hospital, a teenage Su Mi returns home to reunite with her father and younger sister, Su Yeon. The situation is unpleasant as she also has to meet their cold stepmother, Eun Joo. Played by Yum Jung Ah, Eun Joo lives a sexless marriage with the girls' father.

The turning point comes when Su Mi finds a photo that reveals Eun Joo's past as her mother's nurse during a period of severe illness. It worsens when Su Yeon's unexplained bruises lead Su Mi to accuse Eun Joo.

Tensions rise with the death of Eun Joo's pet bird, causing her to take out her anger on her stepdaughter. The complicated interplay of relationships deepens the intrigue in "A Tale of Two Sisters," with Yum Jung Ah delivering a captivating performance as Eun Joo.

3. Intimate Strangers

Intimate Strangers (2018), starring Yum Jung Ah, beat Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) in second place in its opening week. The movie tells the story of a meeting, reuniting old friends, where hidden truths uncover unexpected complications.

Seok Ho and Ye Jin, a married couple, give invitations to their old friends for a housewarming event. Among the guests, Tae Soo and his wife, Soo Hyun (Yum Jung Ah), arrive first. After everyone gathers, a game is revealed, uncovering that these old acquaintances are actually strangers to each other.

4. Life is Beautiful

Yum Jung Ah shines in the 2022 musical film "Life Is Beautiful," directed by Choi Kook Hee. The movie pairs Yum Jung Ah with Ryu Seung Ryong, who acts as her husband.

Life Is Beautiful (2022) tells the story of Oh Se Yeon (Yum Jung Ah), a woman who gives an unusual birthday wish to her husband, Kang Jin Bong. Se Yeong wants her husband to help her find her first love from school.

Se Yeon's strange request comes from her sense of the time she has left. Although he is hesitant at first, Jin Bong eventually agrees to the unusual request, and thus begins their bittersweet journey together.

5. Another Child

Two second-year high school students, Joo Ri and Yoon A, unexpectedly meet due to parental issues. The revelation that Joo Ri's father, Dae On, was involved in an affair with Yoon A's mother, Mi Hee, tied their fates on the school roof.

While Joo Ri wants to resolve the matter quietly, Yoon A remains indifferent. However, when Joo Ri's mother (Yum Jung Ah) calls, Yoon A quickly takes the phone and reveals the affair.

Under the direction of Kim Yun Seok, the movie earned praise, prompting the three casts to earn nominations in prestigious awards including the Grand Bell Awards, Blue Dragon Awards, and Buil Film Awards.

6. Cart

Yum Jung Ah's standout performance in the 2014 film "Cart" earned her Best Actress awards at the Baeksang Arts Awards and Women in Film Korea Awards. In this highly influential movie, Yum Jung Ah plays Sun Hee, the central character.

A devoted mother of two, Sun Hee works on a contract basis at a giant retail company. Determined to secure a permanent position, she suffers an unexpected setback when a long-awaited job turns into a sudden dismissal.

Sun Hee and her coworkers soon discover the company's scheme to avoid its responsibilities towards contract workers. Driven by her determination, Sun Hee leads her colleagues in a courageous stand against unfair layoffs, symbolizing the struggle for workers' rights in "Cart."

7. Lovely Rivals

Lovely Rivals (2004) is a movie starring Yum Jung Ah, who plays Mi Ok, an elementary school teacher known for her strict attitude and high expectations of her students.

For instance, her new student, Go Mi Nam, frequently comes to school late. While Mi Ok initially seems unfazed, she later assigns Mi Nam the chore of cleaning the toilet as punishment. Interestingly, she metes out the same punishment to those who ridiculed Mi Nam.

The presence of a charismatic male teacher generated excitement in the school. Mi Nam, driven by a desire to get the teacher's attention, finds herself involved in a rivalry with fellow students and Mi Ok.

8. The Big Swindle

Yum Jung Ah's acting prowess shone brightly, especially in "The Big Swindle" (2004), where her role earned her awards. Her outstanding performance earned her the title of Best Supporting Actress at the 2004 Blue Dragon Film Awards, stealing the show.

In "The Big Swindle" (2004), a story unfolds about a gang of thieves under the leadership of Chang Hyok Choi. Unfortunately, right after leaving the Bank of Korea, he gets into an accident as he is chased by the police and died.

With his associates arrested and the rest in hiding, this event attracts the attention of Seo In Kyeong, who partners with the veteran swindler.

9. Start-Up

The drama Start-Up (2019) stars Yum Jung Ah with other famous actors such as Ma Dong Seok, Park Jung Min, and Jung Hae In. The movie's narrative revolves around the life of Geo Seok, a character who runs a Chinese restaurant. Joining the restaurant is Go Taek Il, the son of Yoon Jung Hye (Yum Jung Ah).

Taek Il joined the workforce after a clash with his mother led him to run away. Taek Il's rebellious nature consistently irritates his mother, causing her endless problems.

Before finding a job under Geo Seok's wing, Taek Il's recent arrest for riding a motorcycle without a helmet marks a new chapter in his life. Despite his mischievous attitude, Taek Il doesn't stand still when his mother's bakery is threatened with demolition.

10. A Boy Who Went to Heaven

A 13-year-old boy named Ne Mo is the only child of a woman who makes money by running a watch repair shop. Ne Mo never met his father and only lived with his mother. This leads him to dream of marrying a single mother in the future.

Ne Mo's path takes an unexpected turn when he meets Bu Ja (Yum Jung Ah) and love blossoms. Bu Ja, a single mother who supports herself through a comic shop, unknowingly becomes an important figure in his life.

However, a heroic act causes Ne Mo to have an accident while saving Bu Ja's son from a fire. Ne Mo, who was not yet time to die, was reawakened by an angel. He was sent back to Earth as a 30-year-old man who would age every day.

His given age was 93 years old, each day adding a year to his age, leaving Ne Mo with only a few months to live. Driven by this urgency, he wasted no time in winning Bu Ja's heart.

Yum Jung Ah's commendable performances in the ten recommended movies have earned her significant praise, earning her prestigious awards. As you reflect on this list, which Yum Jung Ah movie appeals to you the most? Do you have any additional recommendations? Share your thoughts!