Biography of Yoo Ah-in
Early Life and Education
Career and Achievements
Yoo Ah-in, known for playing diverse roles in television and films, debuted his acting career through television commercials in 2003, using his stage name, Yoo-Ah-in. The first management of Yoo Ah-in found his real name, Uhm Hong-sik complicated and outdated. So they were determined to give an attractive stage name that fit an idol image and chose the name Yoo Ah-in, meaning ‘one’ in German.
Yoo Ah-in debuted in the Korean television series, ‘Sharp’ on 29 November, 2003, produced by KBS Drama Productions. His role, in the drama as a model student who majors in painting, gave him fame and received several offers from other directors.
In 2008, Ah-in performed in a South Korean historical drama, ‘Strongest Chil Woo’, also known as ‘Chilwu The Mighty’. He received numerous appreciation from critics and viewers for his excellent performance as a cruel but isolated assassin.
Yoo Ah-in took boxing and baking classes prior to his role as a patisserie aspirant and former boxer in a comedy thriller film, ‘Antique’, released on 13 November 2008.
Ah-in was cast in a 2009 television series, ‘He Who Can’t Marry’, starring along with Ji Jin-hee, Uhm Jung-hwa, Kim So-eun and Yang Jung-a in a remake of the Japanese drama, ‘Kekkon Dekinai Otoko’. It is a romantic comedy series about an obstinate and inflexible 40-year-old bachelor who works at an architectural office.
On 29 October 2009, Yoo Ah-in starred in the film ‘Sky and Ocean’ as a pizza delivery man who struggles to meet his daily needs.
Ah-in gained more popularity in 2010, with the South Korean historical drama, ‘Sungkyunkwan Scandal’, starring Park Yoo-chun, Park Min-young and Song Joong-ki. The drama, directed by Kim Won-seok is based on a 2007 best-selling novel, ‘The Lives of Sungkyunkwan Confucian Scholars’ by Jung Eun-gwol.
In 2011, Ah-in acted in a lead role as a biracial teenager in a critical and commercial hit film, ‘Punch’, directed by Lee Han. The film is based on the best-selling novel ‘Wandeuk’ by Kim Ryeo-ryeong about a relationship between a meddlesome homeroom teacher and a rebellious high school student.
The next year, Ah-in starred in the drama, ‘Fashion King’, by Myoung Woo-lee, which aired from 19 March 2012, to 22 May 2012, with 20 episodes. The television drama starred Yoo Ah-in, Shin Se-kyung, Lee Je-hoon, and Kwon-yuri in the lead roles. Yoo Ah-in played the role of a self-made fashion businessman who is obsessed with success. However, the drama was not up to the mark due to its weak narrative and controversial ending.
Yoo Ah-in was cast in the 2013 South Korean historical television series, ‘Jang Ok-jung, Living by Love’ by Boo Sung-chul. The drama, starring Kim Tae-hee, Yoo Ah-in, Hong Soo-hyun and Jae-hee, is based on a 2008 novel, ‘Living by Love’ by Choi Jung-mi. The television series with 24 episodes aired from 8 April, 2013 to 25 June, 2013.
Yoo Ah-in played the title role in a 2013 South Korean film, ‘Tough as Iron’ by Ahn Gwon-tae, about a pier worker, taking care of his mother with dementia and kidney disease. In the same year, he gave his voice for an animated film, ‘The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow’.
Yoo Ah-in played a supporting role in ‘Thread of Lies’ by Lee Han in 2014, a South Korean film, based on the 2009 bestselling novel ‘Elegant Lies’ by Kim Ryeo-ryeong. Thereafter, he played a leading role in the cable melodrama ‘Secret Affair’, in which he played the role of a poor piano prodigy who falls in love with his married teacher. Prior to this role, he practiced piano and even listened to classical music.
2015 was a lucky year for Yoo Ah-in as he received the opportunity to star in two top-grossing films, ‘Veteran’ and ‘The Throne’. The film, ‘Veteran’ became one of the highest-grossing films in 2015. The same year, Yoo Ah-in was cast in the historical drama, ‘Six Flying Dragons’ by Shin Kyung-soo.
The South Korean romantic comedy film, ‘Like for Likes’, directed by Park Hyun-jin in 2016, was Yoo Ah-in’s first romantic comedy film since his debut.
Yoo Ah-in received global acclaim for playing in a mystery drama film, ‘Burning’ by Lee Chang-dong in 2018. It became the first Korean film to be shortlisted for ‘Best Foreign Language Film’ at the 91st Academy Awards. He then starred in the crisis film, ‘Default’, directed by Choi Kook-hee on 28 November, 2018. It became the first Korean film to feature a financial crisis theme, based on real-life events.
In 2020, Yoo Ah-in starred along with Park Shin-hye in a South Korean zombie film, ‘Alive’ by Cho Il-hyung. He portrayed a live video game streamer. The zombie thriller is based on the original script of Hollywood screenwriter Matt Naylor.
Yoo Ah-in surprised his viewers with the character of a mute in the South Korean indie crime drama film, ‘Voice of Silence’, written and directed by Hong Eui-jeong in 2020. Despite being a low-budget film, it managed to grab the attention of the public. The debut film of the director, starring Yoo Ah-in and Yoo Jae-myung in the lead roles, even won several awards.
In 2022, Yoo Ah-in acted in a South Korean action Netflix film, ‘Seoul Vibe’ as the leader of ‘Sanggye-dong Supreme Team’. The film, starring Yoo Ah-in, Go Kyung-pyo, Lee Kyu-hyung, Park Ju-hyun, Ong Seong-wu, Kim Sung-kyun, Moon So-ri, and Jung Woong-in, was released on 26 August, 2022.
Yoo Ah-in is all set to star opposite Lee Byung-hun in his upcoming movie as a South Korean professional Go player Lee Chang-ho in his upcoming film, ‘The Match’, which is to be released on Netflix in 2023. He will play opposite Ra Mi-ran in Kang Hyeong-cheol’s fantasy film ‘Hi.5’, as an unemployed man possessing a superpower. Yoo Ah-in to star in an upcoming South Korean apocalyptic drama, ‘Goodbye Earth’ by Kim Jin-min, co-starring Ahn Eun-jin, Jeon Sung-woo and Kim Yoon-hye. It is scheduled to be released on Netflix during the fourth quarter of 2023.
Studio Concrete
Yoo Ah-in is the representative, curator, and creative director of the collective. The group is engaged in a range of creative projects, including art collaborations, product design, graphic design and scheduling advertisements and exhibitions.
The studio functions as a cultural complex that comprises a shop, gallery and cafe. It showcases free monthly exhibitions and events with the works of budding local and international artists. Through such exhibitions, Yoo Ah-in and his team manifest their support for Korean Childhood Leukemia Foundation, the LGBT community, liberal feminists and other minority groups.
Collaborating with a clothing brand, ‘Diesel’, Studio Concrete did a global campaign ‘Make Love Not Walls’ in 2017. To promote women’s empowerment, they also held a Feminist Book Fair and Discussion and ‘Drag Queen Dramatic Reading’ events.
As an initiative to stand against cyberbullying, Studio Concrete produced a short documentary ‘The interview for Diesel’s Hate Culture’ in 2018. Later, all the profits from the ‘Diesel’ brand’s sale were donated to the anti-bullying programme. The gallery also collaborated with a Korean women’s magazine for the ‘Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign’ and its profits have been donated to the Korean breast cancer foundation.
In 2019, Studio Concrete co-produced a special talk show, ‘Do-ol Ah-in Going All Directions’ with 12 episodes to celebrate the 100th year March First Movement.
Military Life
Personal LifeÂ
Net Worth and Lifestyle
According to the sources, the estimated net worth of the Korean actor, Yoo Ah-in is around 5 million to 10 million US Dollars. His net worth is growing significantly in 2022-2023 and his primary earnings are from television series and films.
The actor is the owner of the Tesla Model X car and no other information about his vehicle is available. Recently, he revealed his luxury house to viewers for the first time on social media.
Awards
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41st Blue Dragon Film Awards (2021)
Best Leading Actor – ‘Voice of Silence’ (2021)
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41st Blue Dragon Film Awards (2021)
Popular Star Award – Voice of Silence’ (2021)
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57th Baeksang Arts Awards (2021)
Best Actor (Film) – Voice of Silence’ (2021)
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25th Fantasia International Film Festival (2021)
Cheval Noir Award for Best Actor – ‘Voice of Silence’ (2021)
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15th Asian Film Awards (2021)
Best Actor – ‘Voice of Silence’ (2021)
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6th Asia Artist Awards (2021)
Grand Prize (Daesang) for Film Actor of the Year (2021) -
6th Asia Artist Awards (2021)
Asian Celebrity Award (Actor) (2021) - 19th Korea Fashion Photographers Association Awards (2017)
Photogenic of the Year (2017)
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7th KOFRA Film Awards (2016)
Best Actor – ‘The Throne’ (2016)
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11th Max Movie Awards (2016)
Best Actor – ‘Veteran’ (2016)
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10th Asian Film Awards (2016)
Next Generation Award – ‘Veteran’, ‘The Throne’ (2016)
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21st Chunsa Film Art Awards (2016)
Best Actor – ‘The Throne’ (2016)
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36th Golden Cinematography Awards (2016)
Best Actor – ‘Veteran’ (2016)
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52nd Baeksang Arts Awards (2016)
Best Actor (TV) – ‘Six Flying Dragons’ (2016)
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16th Korea World Youth Film Festival (2016)
Favourite Actor – ‘Like for Likes’ (2016)
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10th A-Awards (Arena Homme + and Mont Blanc Korea) (2015)
Style Award (2015)
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5th SACF Artists of the Year Awards (2015)
Artistic Impression in Motion Pictures Award – ‘Veteran’, ‘The Throne’ (2015)
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Cine 21 Awards (2015)
Best Actor – ‘Veteran’, ‘The Throne’ (2015)
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4th CFDK Awards (2015)
Fashion Icon Award – (2015)
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The Korea Film Actors Association Awards (2015)
Top Star Award – ‘Veteran’, ‘The Throne’ (2015)
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SBS Drama Awards (2015)
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama (2015)
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SBS Drama Awards (2015)
Best Couple Award with Shin Se-kyung – ‘Six Flying Dragons’ (2015)
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SBS Drama Awards (2015)
Top 10 Stars – ‘Six Flying Dragons’ (2015)
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3rd Marie Claire Asia Star Awards (2015)
Asia Star of the Year (2015)
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15th Korea World Youth Film Festival (2015)
Favourite Actor – ‘Veteran’ (2015)
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36th Blue Dragon Film Awards (2015)
Best Leading Actor – ‘The Throne’ (2015)
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1st Fashionista Awards (2015)
Best Male Fashionista in a Movie (First Prize) – ‘Veteran’ (2015)
- 9th Korean Environmental & Community Awards (2013)
People Who Made the World Brighter (Broadcasting/Entertainment category) (2013) - 3rd KOFRA Film Awards (2012)
Discovery Award – ‘Punch’ (2012)
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5th Mnet 20’s Choice Awards (2011)
Hot 20’s Voice (2011)
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4th Style Icon Awards (2011)
Bonsang (Main Award) (2011)
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5th A-Awards (Arena Homme + and Audi Korea) (2010)
Style Award (2010)
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KBS Drama Awards (2010)
Best Couple Award with Song Joong-ki – ‘Sungkyunkwan Scandal’ (2010)
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11th Director’s Cut Awards (2008)
Best New Actor- ‘Antique’ (2008)
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Third Pierson Youth Film Festival (2007)
Best Newcomer, Month of May – ‘Boys of Tomorrow’ (2007)
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8th Busan Film Critics (2007)
Best New Actor – ‘Boys of Tomorrow’ (2007)
Interesting Facts about Yoo Ah-in
- The favourite K-pop group of Yoo Ah-in is ‘Monsta X’.
- The real name of Yoo-Ah-in is Uhm Hong-sik.
- Ah-in trained in modelling prior to his acting career.
- Yoo Ah-in was a freelance writer.
- Ah-in loves to cook.
FAQs
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Does Yoo Ah-in have Instagram?
The Instagram account name of Yoo Ah-in is @hongsick.
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What is the age of Yoo Ah-in?
Yoo Ah-in is 36 years old.
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What is the net worth of Yoo Ah-in?
The estimated net worth of Yoo Ah-in is 5 million to 10 million US Dollars.
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What is the agency of Yoo Ah-in?
The agency of Yoo Ah-in is United Artists Agency.
