The organisation that awards the Oscars has invited 819 new members to join its ranks, including several stars of the South Korean film Parasite.
The drama-thriller made history earlier this year when it became the first foreign language film to win the Oscar for Best Picture. Among those invited to join the Academy are actors Jang Hye-Jin, Jo Yeo-Jeong, Lee Jung-Eun and Park So-Dam, as well as the movie's editor, costume designer and other crew members. The movie's director Bong Joon-ho and lead actor Song Kang-ho were invited in 2015.
With this year’s new members, the Academy has exceeded its goal, set in 2016, to diversify its membership by 2020.
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The best moments from the 2020 Oscars
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Regina King and Best Actor in a Supporting Role winner Brad Pitt walk backstage during the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 9, 2020. AFP -
Regina King hugs Best Actor in a Supporting Role winner Brad Pitt backstage during the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on February 9, 2020. -
US filmmaker Carol Dysinger (R) and director Elena Andreicheva (L) poses in the press room with the Oscar for Best Short Subject Documentary for "Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl)" along with US actor Mark Ruffalo during the 92nd Oscars. AFP -
Janelle Monae signs Sandy Powell's outfit during the Oscars show at the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Reuters -
US actor Utkarsh Ambudkar performs onstage during the 92nd Oscars at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California. AFP -
US directors Julia Reichert, Jeff Reichert (R) and Steven Bognar (L) pose in the press room with the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature for "American Factory" during the 92nd Oscars. AFP -
Natalie Portman, from left, Taika Waititi, winner of the award for best adapted screenplay for "Jojo Rabbit", and Timothee Chalamet pose in the press room at the Oscars. AP -
Brie Larson, left, speaks with Spike Lee in the audience at the Oscars on Sunday. AP -
Mark Ruffalo and Mahershala Ali embrace on the red carpet during the Oscars arrivals at the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Reuters -
Bradley Cooper appears in the audience at the Oscars. AP -
Nancy Haigh, left, and Barbara Ling, winners of the award for best production design for "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood". AP -
Laura Dern (L) reacts with her mother Diane Ladd (R) after winning the Oscar for Actress in a Supporting Role for 'Marriage Story'. EPA -
Brad Pitt watches as Anthony Ramos speaks during the Oscars show at the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood. Reuters -
Laura Dern wins the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in "Marriage Story". Reuters -
Tom Hanks, from left, Bradley Cooper and Rita Wilson speak in the audience at the Oscars. AP -
British costume designer Jacqueline Durran poses in the press room with the Oscar for Best Costume Design for "Little Women". AFP -
Adam Driver, left, congratulates Laura Dern, winner of the award for best performance by an actress in a supporting role for "Marriage Story" at the Oscars on Sunday. AP -
Best Supporting Actor Brad Pitt poses with the Oscar in the photo room during the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood. Reuters -
US actress Laura Dern poses with the award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for "Marriage Story". AFP -
Eminem performs Till I Collapse during the Oscars show at the 92nd Academy Awards in Hollywood. Reuters -
Oscar Isaac and Salma Hayek Pinault walk onstage during the 92nd Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre. AFP
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Among other new members, who come from 68 countries, are actors Awkwafina, Ana de Armas, Cynthia Erivo, Niecy Nash, Florence Pugh and John David Washington, and director and writer Lulu Wang.
The academy launched an effort to diversify its ranks after facing criticism in 2015 when the #OscarsSoWhite movement highlighted a lack of Black actors nominated for the film industry's top awards.
With the new list, 33 per cent of the academy's 9,000-plus members are women and 19 per cent come from underrepresented racial or ethnic communities, the Academy said.
The goal set in 2016 aimed to double the number of women and people from underrepresented communities by 2020. In 2015, 25 per cent of the membership were women and 10 per cent from underrepresented groups.
"We take great pride in the strides we have made in exceeding our initial inclusion goals set back in 2016, but acknowledge the road ahead is a long one," said Academy Chief Executive Dawn Hudson. "We are committed to staying the course."
