Starring in #Alive and Voice of Silence, Yoo Ah-in is South Korean cinema’s hottest face of 2020 – so why did he become an actor and how does he like to spend his fortune?
After sealing his credentials in Lee Chang-dong’s Palme d’Or-nominated Burning, Yoo Ah-in is hitting new commercial heights, starring in 2 of South Korean cinema’s biggest movies of the year – zombie thriller #Alive and crime drama Voice of Silence
After starring in two huge Korean summer movies – #Alive and Voice of Silence – there’s no stopping Yoo Ah-in right now. Rightly regarded as one of the most talented and versatile actors of his generation, since starring in 2018’s acclaimed art house outing Burning, next up the 33-year-old actor looks set to pick up more international fans in forthcoming Netflix drama Hellbound. As the buzz builds, and ahead of his birthday on October 26, STYLE gets to know more about his life, and how he likes to spend his time and money.
Before the fame
Yoo’s path to becoming an actor was rather unconventional. Hailing from Daegu, he was scouted on a street outside his school and trained to become an idol. However, Yoo didn’t do well in auditions. During senior high, Yoo got into acting and decided on his future career path.
After a number of minor roles, Yoo reached mainstream success in 2011 with the movie Punch – but then began an abrupt hiatus, taking time out to reflect on his life and decide whether being a celebrity was the life he wanted.
Comeback and career success
Of course, we now all know the path he chose. Today, Yoo remains one of Korea’s best actors – at a young age, he has won best actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards for the drama Six Flying Dragons and he boasts an impressive filmography – reaching a wider international appreciation after taking the lead in Lee Chang-dong’s widely acclaimed Burning, nominated for the top notch Palme d’Or at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.