Yoo Ah-In is a South Korean actor and creative director, known for his unique filmography and impressive characters in films and TV series. He has built a reputation as an icon of youth in Korea and has made remarkable achievements in numerous industry awards. Yoo's focus on character growth has led to applause from the public, representing his generation.
Born Uhm Hong-sik on October 6, 1986, in Daegu, Korea, as the youngest of three children, Yoo was discovered by a casting agent in front of his high school and came to Seoul to attend auditions. He made his debut in a TV commercial for noodles under the stage name Yoo Ah-in in 2003, followed by appearances in teen-series Sharp and garnering popularity from teenagers.
After halting his activities for a year to focus on his identity and acting path, Yoo returned with independent film Boys of Tomorrow and family-comedy Skeletons in the Closet, attracting attention from critics and viewers as a promising newcomer. He went on to win Best New Actor from the Busan Film Critics Association and was nominated at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Yoo's breakthrough came in 2010 with Sungkyunkwan Scandal, creating a syndrome called 'Geol-oh Love Sickness', earning him praise as a unique actor in his generation. He then starred in coming-of-age film Punch, cementing his status as a screen star. Since then, he has appeared in a wide range of works, including Fashion King, Jang Ok-jung, Living by Love, Tough as Iron, and Thread of Lies.
In 2014, Yoo played a genius pianist who falls in love in melodrama Secret Love Affair, where he actually played the piano, receiving critical acclaim. He then achieved considerable recognition for his portrayals of both the villain in big-hit action film Veteran and a tragic prince in historical film The Throne. This led to gaining wider recognition as an established actor when he acted as the protagonist in 50 episodes of Six Flying Dragons.
Yoo's subsequent roles include romantic comedy in ensemble film Like for Likes, fantasy TV series Chicago Typewriter, critically acclaimed film Burning, and financial drama Default. He has also been busy with other activities, such as running an art gallery, producing a talk show, and proclaiming the resolution of peace.
Yoo made a brilliant comeback in 2020 with #Alive, which became the first hit film in South Korea since COVID-19 and the first Korean film to top Netflix movies worldwide chart. His next performance in critically acclaimed indie drama Voice of Silence earned him a slew of awards, including Fantasia International Film Festival and Asian Film Awards.
