Main page
.jpg)
Community Hub0 subscribers
Community Hub
Steven Yeun
View on Wikipediafrom Wikipedia
Sang-yeop Yeun[1] (Korean: 연상엽; born December 21, 1983), known professionally as Steven Yeun (/jʌn/ YUHN), is an American actor. He rose to prominence for playing Glenn Rhee in the television series The Walking Dead (2010–2016). He earned critical acclaim for the films Burning (2018) and Minari (2020). For the latter, he became the first Asian American nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor.[2] Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2021.[3] For the Netflix dark comedy series Beef (2023), which he produced and starred in, Yeun received Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Limited Series and Outstanding Lead Actor.
Key Information
.jpg)
Yeun has also appeared in the films Okja (2017), Sorry to Bother You (2018), The Humans (2021), and Nope (2022). He has also voiced main characters in animated television series such as Voltron: Legendary Defender (2016–2018), Tales of Arcadia (2016–2021), Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters (2017–2018), Final Space (2018–2021), Tuca & Bertie (2019–2022), and Invincible (2021–present).
Early life and education
[edit]Yeun was born in Seoul on December 21, 1983, to Je and June Yeun.[4] His father was an architect in South Korea before moving his family in 1988 to Canada, where they lived in Regina, Saskatchewan.[5] In Regina, he attended Ruth M. Buck Elementary School.[6] He has a younger brother named Brian.[7] The family later moved to the U.S. and settled in Taylor, Michigan, and then Troy, Michigan, where Yeun lived until he graduated from Troy High School in 2001.[8][9] Growing up, Yeun's family spoke Korean at home.[10]
Yeun was raised in a Christian household.[11][12][13][14] His parents, who owned beauty-supply stores in Detroit,[4] began calling him "Steven" after meeting a doctor by that name.[15] He received a bachelor's degree in psychology with a concentration in neuroscience[4] from Kalamazoo College in 2005.[12] At Kalamazoo, he befriended the sister of comedian Jordan Klepper and she took him to see Klepper's improv show, which inspired him to take his first acting class and later follow Klepper to Chicago, where they joined The Second City.[4]
Career
[edit]2005–2009: Early career
[edit]Yeun revealed to his parents that he planned to pursue an improv career in Chicago instead of enrolling in law school or medical school.[12][16] His parents were unhappy with the decision, but supported him nonetheless and gave him two years to pursue acting.[12] He moved to Chicago in 2005, living in the city's Lincoln Square with his brother.[11] Shortly after graduation, he joined Stir Friday Night, a Chicago-based Asian American sketch comedy troupe.[12] Other alumni of the group include Danny Pudi, known for his role in Community. He joined The Second City in Chicago before moving to Los Angeles in October 2009.[12]
2010–2016: Breakout with The Walking Dead
[edit]
Yeun's breakout role was the starring role of Glenn Rhee on The Walking Dead, an AMC television horror drama based on the comic book series of the same name. The series, which began in 2010, involves a group of characters who fight to survive in a violent apocalyptic world infested with flesh-eating zombies. The Walking Dead became the highest-rated series in cable television history, and seasons three through six of the show garnered the most 18 to 49-year-old viewers of any cable or broadcast television series.[17][18][19] The series has received mostly positive reviews from professional television critics.[20][21] Per Variety, Yeun was "a major part" of the show's success; his character developed "from a plucky young member of the show's central group to a bona fide action hero and sex symbol". Yeun left the show in 2016 after the season 7 premiere.[22]
2017–present: Transition to films and acclaim
[edit]Yeun was cast in Joe Lynch's action horror film Mayhem (2017).[23] The film was released in theaters on November 10, 2017.[24] In April 2016, Yeun was cast in Bong Joon-ho's action-adventure film Okja.[25] The film competed for the Palme d'Or in the main competition section at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival.[26][27] It was released on Netflix on June 28, 2017.[28] Yeun also provided the voice of Bo in 2017's The Star. Yeun co-starred in Boots Riley's dark comedy Sorry to Bother You, alongside Lakeith Stanfield, Armie Hammer and Tessa Thompson,[29] which was released in theaters on July 6, 2018.[30] The film had its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2018.[31] It additionally won The 2019 National Board of Review's Top Ten Independent Films award,[32] as well as Best Screenplay and Best First Feature at the 2019 Independent Spirit Awards.[33]
In late 2018, Yeun played Ben in the South Korean mystery drama film Burning, directed by Lee Chang-dong. The film was first unveiled at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.[34] His performance in the film was acclaimed. Yeun won Best Supporting Actor at the 2018 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards, Toronto Film Critics Association Awards 2018, Florida Film Critics Circle Awards 2018, and 2018 National Society of Film Critics Awards. In late 2018, Yeun landed a main role in an episode of Jordan Peele's revival of The Twilight Zone.[35] He currently voices the title protagonist Mark Grayson in the animated superhero series Invincible, adapting Robert Kirkman's comic book series, which was released on Amazon Prime in March 2021.[36]
In 2020, Yeun starred in and served as an executive producer for Lee Isaac Chung's A24 immigrant drama Minari, which also includes Youn Yuh-jung, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Will Patton and Scott Haze among the cast.[37] The film is about a Korean immigrant family becoming farmers in Arkansas; Yeun included his own immigrant experience in his acting.[38] The film had its world premiere and won two top awards at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020.[39] Yeun received an Academy Award for Best Actor nomination for Minari. He also became the first Asian-American actor to be nominated at the Screen Actors Guild for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role.[40]
Yeun does voice acting in both animated television series and films. Some of these roles include Avatar Wan in the second season of The Legend of Korra (2013), Steve Palchuk in Trollhunters (2016–2018) and 3Below (2018–2019), Keith in Voltron: Legendary Defender (2016–2018), Nathan Park/Wingspan in Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters (2017–2018), Little Cato in Final Space, (2018–2021) and Speckle in Tuca & Bertie (2019–2022). It was later revealed that Yeun's role as Steve Palchuk would continue into Wizards, the third series of the Tales of Arcadia trilogy.[41][42] The first season of 3Below was released on Netflix on December 21, 2018, and the second and final season was released on July 12, 2019.
In 2021, he was included in the Time 100, Time's annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world.[43] In 2021, he co-starred alongside Jayne Houdyshell, Richard Jenkins and Amy Schumer, in Stephen Karam's award-winning one-act play adaptation The Humans.[44] In 2022, he co-starred alongside Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer in Jordan Peele's science fiction horror film Nope, as Ricky "Jupe" Park, the owner of the fictional theme park Jupiter's Claim.[45]
In 2023, Yeun starred opposite Ali Wong in the Netflix dark comedy series Beef, for which he also served as executive producer.[46] For his performance, he won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor.[47][48][49] He is the second person of Asian descent to win the Golden Globe Award in the category of best actor.[50]
Personal life
[edit]Yeun married photographer Joana Pak on December 3, 2016.[51] They reside in Los Angeles and have two children together.[52][53]
He is a longtime fan of the Detroit Pistons and Detroit Red Wings,[54][55][56] and endorsed Andrew Yang for president in the 2020 U.S. election.[57]
Filmography
[edit]
Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | The Kari Files | Chip | Short film | |
| My Name Is Jerry | Chaz | |||
| 2010 | Carpe Millennium | Kevin | Short film | |
| Blowout Sale | Customer | Short film | ||
| 2014 | I Origins | Kenny | ||
| 2015 | Like a French Film | Steve | ||
| 2017 | Okja | K | ||
| Mayhem | Derek Cho | |||
| The Star | Bo | Voice | [58] | |
| 2018 | Sorry to Bother You | Squeeze | ||
| Burning | Ben | |||
| 2019 | Naysayer | Ian | Short film | |
| 2020 | Minari | Jacob Yi | Also executive producer | |
| 2021 | Space Jam: A New Legacy | Warner Bros. Executive | Cameo appearance | |
| Trollhunters: Rise of the Titans | Steve Palchuk | Voice | [58] | |
| The Humans | Richard | |||
| 2022 | Nope | Ricky "Jupe" Park | ||
| 2024 | Love Me | Iam / Liam | [59] | |
| 2025 | Bubble & Squeak | Bkofl | Also producer | [60] |
| Mickey 17 | Timo | [61] | ||
| Crash Site | Max | Short film | [62][63] | |
| 2026 | The RIP | TBA | Post-production | [64] |
| The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender | Zuko | Voice; in production | [65][66] | |
| TBA | Animals | TBA | Filming |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | The Big Bang Theory | Sebastian | Episode: "The Staircase Implementation" | |
| 2010–2016, 2020, 2022 |
The Walking Dead | Glenn Rhee | 73 episodes | |
| 2011 | Law & Order: LA | Ken Hasui | Episode: "Hayden Tract" | |
| Warehouse 13 | Gibson Rice | Episode: "Don't Hate the Player" | ||
| 2012 | NTSF:SD:SUV:: | Ricky Meeker | Episode: "16 Hop Street" | |
| Harder Than it Looks | Steven | Episode: "Lockdown" | ||
| 2013 | The Legend of Korra | Avatar Wan | Voice, 3 episodes | [58] |
| Filthy Preppy Teen$ | Martin | Pilot | ||
| 2014 | Drunk History | Daniel Inouye | Episode: "Hawaii" | |
| American Dad! | Charles | Voice, episode: "Blagsnarst, a Love Story" | ||
| Comedy Bang! Bang! | Himself | Episode: "Steven Yeun Wears Rolled Up Black Jeans & No Socks" | ||
| 2016–2018 | Voltron: Legendary Defender | Keith | Voice, 64 episodes | [58] |
| Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia | Steve Palchuk | Voice, 28 episodes | [58] | |
| 2017–2018 | Stretch Armstrong and the Flex Fighters | Nathan Park / Wingspan additional voices |
Voice, 24 episodes | [58] |
| 2017 | Bajillion Dollar Propertie$ | Eric | Episode: "Disaster Drills" | |
| Robot Chicken | Glenn Rhee | Voice, episode: "The Robot Chicken Walking Dead Special: Look Who's Walking" | ||
| 2018–2021 | Final Space | Little Cato Additional voices |
Voice, 36 episodes | |
| 2018–2019 | 3Below: Tales of Arcadia | Steve Palchuk | Voice, 19 episodes | [58] |
| 2019 | Weird City | Barsley | Episode: "Chonathan & Mulia & Barsley & Phephanie" | |
| The Twilight Zone | A. Traveler | Episode: "A Traveler" | [67] | |
| I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson | Jacob | Episode: "Has This Ever Happened To You?" | [68] | |
| 2019–2022 | Tuca & Bertie | Speckle | Voice, 30 episodes, also producer | |
| 2020 | Wizards: Tales of Arcadia | Steve Palchuk | Voice, 10 episodes | [58] |
| 2021–present | Invincible | Mark Grayson / Invincible | Voice, main role | [58] |
| 2023 | Beef | Danny Cho | Main role, also executive producer |
Music video appearances
[edit]| Year | Title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | "Fire" | Park Jin-young (feat. Conan O'Brien & Jamie) |
Video games
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Crysis | North Korean soldier 2 | Voice |
| 2008 | Crysis Warhead | North Korean soldier 2 | Voice |
| 2017 | DreamWorks Voltron VR Chronicles | Keith | Voice |
| 2026 | Invincible VS | Invincible / Mark Grayson | Voice[69] |
Awards and nominations
[edit]Over his career, Yeun has received numerous accolades. For his leading performance in Minari (2020) he received a nomination for the Academy Award, Independent Spirit Award, and Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Actor. For his work on Beef (2023) he received two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and two Critics' Choice Television Awards as well as nominations for two Independent Spirit Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award.
References
[edit]- ^ Steven Yeun Replies to Fans on the Internet | Actually Me | GQ (Video). March 8, 2021. Archived from the original on August 24, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
- ^ Sharf, Zack (March 15, 2021). "Steven Yeun Just Became the First Asian-American Best Actor Nominee in Oscars History". IndieWire. Archived from the original on April 9, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ "Steven Yeun". Time. September 15, 2021. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Yeun, Steven (May 13, 2011). "On the Road With Steven Yeun". Interview Magazine (Interview). Interviewed by Oliver Singer. Archived from the original on April 1, 2016. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
- ^ "'Walking Dead': Steven Yeun's Glenn is beating heart of AMC series". Los Angeles Times. February 8, 2013. Archived from the original on October 9, 2014. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
- ^ Kang, Jay Caspian (February 3, 2021). "The Many Lives of Steven Yeun". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved March 16, 2021.
- ^ "Photos: Steven Yeun Of 'The Walking Dead' Brings Flavor Of Detroit To K-Town". LAist. February 26, 2014. Archived from the original on September 15, 2021. Retrieved September 15, 2021.
- ^ Yeun, Steven (October 6, 2014). "Steven Yeun on his Parents". YouTube.com (Interview). Interviewed by Ellen DeGeneres. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
- ^ Hinds, Julie (February 13, 2016). "Michigan's 'Walking Dead' star on life before, after Glenn". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
- ^ Kang, Jay Caspian (February 3, 2021). "The Many Lives of Steven Yeun". The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Arroyve, Luis (November 21, 2010). "Steven Yeun makes jump from Second City to AMC's 'Walking Dead'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f Liberty, John (October 30, 2010). "College grad vs. zombies: Michigan native stars in new AMC series 'The Walking Dead'". Kalamazoo Gazette. Archived from the original on April 21, 2016. Retrieved February 27, 2011.
- ^ Murphy, Kate (October 27, 2012). "Steven Yeun". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 30, 2017. Retrieved October 8, 2014.
- ^ Hinds, Julie. "Michigan's 'Walking Dead' star on life before, after Glenn". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
- ^ Peters, Megan (October 28, 2016). "Steven Yeun Says Conan Has Been Mispronouncing His Name For Years". ComicBook.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2016. Retrieved November 1, 2016.
- ^ "Steven Yeun: 'I deeply wanted to connect, so I would break myself to try and conform'". The Guardian. March 13, 2021. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
- ^ "The Walking Dead Is First Cable Series to Beat Every Show of Fall Broadcast Season In Adult 18–49 Rating". AMC. December 2012. Archived from the original on February 23, 2016. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
- ^ Kissell, Rick (February 17, 2016). "Ratings: 'The Walking Dead' Down, Still Huge in Return; Small Tune-In for HBO's 'Vinyl'". Variety. Archived from the original on July 21, 2018. Retrieved February 21, 2016.
- ^ Bibel, Sara (March 30, 2015). "'The Walking Dead' Season 5 Finale is Highest Rated Finale in Series History, Garnering 15.8 Million Viewers". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on April 1, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "The Walking Dead". Rotten Tomatoes. Archived from the original on October 27, 2016. Retrieved April 19, 2016.
- ^ "The Walking Dead : Season 5". Metacritic. Archived from the original on November 4, 2018. Retrieved January 22, 2015.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (December 23, 2020). "Steven Yeun Reflects on His 'Walking Dead' Demise: 'I Was Always in Service to This Larger Narrative'". Variety. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (March 16, 2016). "'Walking Dead' Actor Steven Yeun to Star in Action Movie 'Mayhem'". Variety. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
- ^ Squires, John (August 8, 2017). "Here's When You'll Be Able to Watch Joe Lynch's 'Mayhem'". Bloody Disgusting. Archived from the original on April 13, 2018. Retrieved April 13, 2018.
- ^ Kit, Borys (April 22, 2016). "'Walking Dead' Star Steven Yeun Joins Bong Joon-Ho's Sci-Fi 'Okja'". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
- ^ "The 2017 Official Selection". Cannes. April 13, 2017. Archived from the original on April 17, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
- ^ "2017 Cannes Film Festival Announces Lineup: Todd Haynes, Sofia Coppola, 'Twin Peaks' and More". IndieWire. April 13, 2017. Archived from the original on May 5, 2019. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
- ^ Romano, Nick (May 25, 2017). "Okja cast on film's political parallels, 'wars' against nature and women". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 14, 2018. Retrieved April 14, 2018.
- ^ Busch, Anita (June 15, 2017). "Tessa Thompson, Lakeith Stanfield, Steven Yeun To Star In 'Sorry To Bother You'". Deadline. Archived from the original on June 12, 2020. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
- ^ Blistein, Jon (May 17, 2018). "Watch Lakeith Stanfield Make Millions With 'White Voice' in Wild 'Sorry to Bother You' Trailer". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on May 19, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
- ^ "2018 Sundance Film Festival: Feature Films Announced". Sundance Film Festival. The Sundance Institute. November 29, 2017. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
- ^ Lewis, Hilary (November 27, 2018). "'Green Book' Named Best Film by National Board of Review". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on November 27, 2018. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (November 16, 2018). "2019 Spirit Award Nominations: 'We The Animals' Tops With Five, A24 Leads All Distributors, Studio Classic Labels Come Up Short". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved March 7, 2019.
- ^ "Cannes Lineup Includes New Films From Spike Lee, Jean-Luc Godard". Variety. April 12, 2018. Archived from the original on December 26, 2018. Retrieved April 12, 2018.
- ^ Trigg, Eric (December 12, 2018). "Twilight Zone Revival Casts Walking Dead's Steven Yeun". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on January 7, 2019. Retrieved January 7, 2019.
- ^ Petski, Denise (January 31, 2019). "'Invincible': Steven Yeun & J.K. Simmons Top Loaded Voice Cast For Robert Kirkman's Animated Amazon Series". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 26, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
- ^ Sun, Rebecca (July 11, 2019). "Steven Yeun to Star in and Exec Produce A24 Immigrant Drama (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 28, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2019.
- ^ Bhattacharji, Alex (January 11, 2021). "'Walking Dead' Actor Steven Yeun on His 'Minari' Breakout". The Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ Debruge, Peter (February 1, 2020). "Sundance Winners: 'Minari' and 'Boys State' Take Top Honors". Variety. Archived from the original on November 7, 2020. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- ^ "2021 SAG Awards: The Complete Nominations List". Variety. February 4, 2021. Archived from the original on February 5, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ "'Trollhunters': Marc Guggenheim on Season 2 Surprises & the Future of 'Tales of Arcadia'". Collider.com. December 15, 2017. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
- ^ "TROLLHUNTERS Interview: Marc Guggenheim, From Epic to Epic más grande". Animation Scoop. May 18, 2018. Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved May 30, 2018.
- ^ Hicap, Jonathan (September 16, 2021). "'Minari' Youn Yuh-jung, Steven Yeun make it to TIME's 100 Most Influential People list". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
- ^ Fleming, Mike Jr. (March 13, 2019). "Film Adaptation Of 'The Humans' Play In Works By A24, IAC, Scott Rudin & Eli Bush". Deadline. Archived from the original on September 12, 2021. Retrieved January 2, 2020.
- ^ Evangelista, Chris (July 20, 2022). "Nope Review: Jordan Peele Stages An Absolute Spectacle With His Scary, Funny Sci-Fi Blockbuster". /Film. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ Odman, Sydney (March 31, 2023). "Ali Wong and Steven Yeun on Stepping into Executive Producer Roles for Road Rage Dramedy 'Beef'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on April 3, 2023. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (August 17, 2023). "Emmys: Lead Actor (Limited or TV Movie) – Evan Peters Faces 'Weird' Competition From Daniel Radcliffe and Steven Yeun". Variety. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ Sun, Rebecca (December 11, 2023). "Lily Gladstone Scores Rare Nom for Indigenous Actors as Golden Globes Claims It Has the Most Culturally Diverse Major Awards Body". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 4, 2024. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
- ^ Zinoman, Jason (January 7, 2024). "2024 Golden Globe Awards: Matthew Macfadyen Gives 'Succession' Its First Win of Night". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ Rosenbloom, Alli (January 8, 2024). "Ali Wong and Steven Yeun make Golden Globes history with 'Beef' wins". CNN. Archived from the original on January 8, 2024. Retrieved January 8, 2024.
- ^ "The Walking Dead's Steven Yeun Marries Girlfriend Joana Pak". People.com. December 4, 2016. Archived from the original on March 26, 2017. Retrieved December 4, 2016.
- ^ Quinn, D. "Walking Dead Alum Steven Yeun and Wife Joana Pak Welcome First Child — a Boy!". People. Archived from the original on March 22, 2017. Retrieved March 22, 2017.
- ^ Durkan, Deirdre; Merrett, Robyn (April 30, 2019). "The Walking Dead Alum Steven Yeun and Wife Joana Pak Welcome a Daughter". People. Archived from the original on May 1, 2019. Retrieved May 1, 2019.
- ^ Lapin, Andrew (February 6, 2019). "Detroit Actor Steven Yeun Is On Fire in Latest Film 'Burning'". SEEN. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Gayomali, Chris (October 18, 2018). "Steven Yeun Is Lighting Up the Screen". GQ. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Huang, Michael (November 8, 2012). "Steven Yeun talks 'Walking Dead' and Lin". ESPN. Archived from the original on April 11, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2019.
- ^ Klar, Rebecca (December 26, 2019). "'Walking Dead' actor Steven Yeun endorses Yang". The Hill. Archived from the original on November 27, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Steven Yeun (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved November 14, 2023. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
- ^ "Kristen Stewart Says She's Starring In A Romantic Sci-Fi Drama With Steven Yeun". theplaylist.net. October 5, 2021. Archived from the original on December 25, 2022. Retrieved December 25, 2022.
- ^ Sundance Film Festival Lineup 2025 Movies
- ^ Kim, Ji-hye (July 8, 2022). 스티븐 연, 봉준호 신작 '미키7' 합류...'옥자' 이어 두 번째 호흡 [Steven Yeun joins Bong Joon-ho's new 'Mickey 7'... Second breath after 'Okja] (in Korean). SBS Entertainment News. Archived from the original on July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2022 – via Naver.
- ^ Sperling, Jason (July 17, 2025). "Crash Site - A Sci-Fi Short Film Starring Steven Yeun and Sam Richardson". YouTube. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
- ^ "Crash Site – Watch a Sci-Fi short film starring Steven Yeun and Sam Richardson". Live For Films. July 25, 2025. Archived from the original on August 30, 2025. Retrieved August 30, 2025.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 30, 2025). "Netflix 2025 Movie Slate: Dates For Guillermo Del Toro's 'Frankenstein', 'Old Guard 2', Ben Affleck & Matt Damon's 'RIP', 'Wake Up Dead Man: Knives Out Mystery' & More". Deadline. Retrieved January 30, 2025.
- ^ Donnelly, Matt; Stephan, Katcy (March 27, 2025). "Steven Yeun Joins Paramount's Untitled Animated Aang 'Avatar' Film (Exclusive)". Variety. Archived from the original on March 27, 2025. Retrieved March 27, 2025.
- ^ Yin-Poole, Wesley (July 28, 2025). "Avatar Creators Confirm Steven Yeun's Role in Upcoming The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender Movie | SDCC 2025". IGN. Retrieved July 28, 2025.
- ^ Petski, Denise (December 12, 2018). "Steven Yeun Joins 'The Twilight Zone'; Miley Cyrus In 'Black Mirror'". Deadline. Archived from the original on November 19, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
- ^ Han, Karen (April 24, 2019). "The best way to spend 15 minutes on Netflix: this SNL's alum new sketch show". Polygon. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved April 30, 2019.
- ^ Augustin, Timothy (June 8, 2025). "Invincible VS 3v3 tag fighting game announced for 2026, voice actors return".
External links
[edit]
Wikiquote has quotations related to Steven Yeun.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Steven Yeun.
- Steven Yeun at IMDb
- Steven Yeun on Twitter
Steven Yeun
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Early life and education
Family immigration and upbringing
Steven Yeun was born Yeun Sang-yeop on December 21, 1983, in Seoul, South Korea, to parents Je Yeun and June Yeun.[1] In 1988, when Yeun was five years old, his family immigrated first to Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, for approximately one year before relocating to the United States and settling in the Detroit suburb of Taylor, Michigan, and later Troy.[7] [8] The move reflected his father's deliberate choice to pursue new economic prospects abroad, having worked as an architect in Seoul where he had established professional success.[9] Upon arrival in Michigan, Yeun's father transitioned from architecture to entrepreneurship by opening beauty supply stores targeted at local customers, including Black communities in Detroit, embodying the self-directed adaptation common among immigrant families navigating economic realities through business ownership rather than reliance on established professions.[8] This shift underscored the family's emphasis on personal agency amid the challenges of cultural and linguistic adjustment in a predominantly non-Korean environment. Yeun, along with his younger brother, grew up in a Korean-American enclave sustained by community networks, where his parents instilled values of discipline and resilience through direct involvement in family enterprises.[10] Yeun's formative years involved active participation in a local Korean church, which provided a structured social hub fostering community bonds and behavioral expectations distinct from his experiences in American schools, where he often felt subdued.[11] Within the church setting, he found outlets for expression through performing in bands and other activities, sparking an early affinity for performance rooted in familial and communal dynamics rather than formal training.[12] This environment reinforced self-reliance, as church involvement emphasized personal accountability and group cohesion amid the dual cultural navigation of home life and broader American society.[13]Academic background and early aspirations
Yeun attended Troy High School in Troy, Michigan, graduating in 2001, before pursuing higher education at Kalamazoo College, a liberal arts institution in Kalamazoo, Michigan.[14] There, he majored in psychology, earning a bachelor's degree in 2005.[15] His interest in acting emerged during his freshman year at Kalamazoo College, where he joined an improv comedy troupe and began exploring performance through theater and sketch activities.[16] This early involvement shifted his aspirations away from conventional career paths like medicine or law, which his immigrant parents had emphasized, toward a commitment to improvisation and storytelling as means of personal expression and skill development.[17] Following graduation, Yeun relocated to Chicago in 2005 to deepen his immersion in the city's renowned improv and comedy ecosystem, viewing it as essential training ground before considering broader professional opportunities.[17][18] His parents granted him a two-year window to test this pursuit, reflecting the tension between familial expectations rooted in stability and his drive for creative autonomy.[18]Professional career
Improvisational beginnings and initial roles (2005–2009)
Following his graduation from Kalamazoo College in 2005, Steven Yeun moved to Chicago to train in improvisational comedy, forgoing parental expectations of pursuing law or medicine.[19] There, he honed his skills through unpaid ensemble performances, emphasizing resilience built from collaborative, unscripted work that demanded quick adaptation and presence.[20] Yeun joined the Second City comedy troupe, progressing to its touring company after emulating established performers like Jordan Klepper, and participated in sketch ensembles that fostered his foundational acting techniques.[17] Yeun also became a member of Stir Friday Night, Chicago's longest-running Asian-American sketch comedy group, established in 1995, where he contributed to original revues blending cultural specificity with broad humor.[21] These performances, often in theater circuits, provided early exposure and networking opportunities amid limited mainstream avenues for Asian-American performers, countering typecasting through versatile, character-driven improvisation rather than scripted stereotypes.[22] Such groundwork involved relentless auditions and commercial gigs for brands like Best Buy, Apple, and Milky Way, sustaining him while building on-stage endurance.[1] By 2007, Yeun secured his first notable television guest role as Sebastian on an episode of The Big Bang Theory, marking an initial foray into on-camera work derived from his improv background.[1] In 2009, he debuted in feature film with the role of Chaz in My Name Is Jerry, alongside short films like The Kari Files, reflecting persistent efforts to diversify beyond ensemble sketches into scripted narratives despite industry constraints on non-white leads.[23] That year, Yeun relocated to Los Angeles to expand opportunities, having leveraged Chicago's improv ecosystem for essential early credibility.[24]Breakthrough with The Walking Dead (2010–2016)
Steven Yeun was cast as Glenn Rhee, an optimistic former pizza delivery boy who becomes a key supply runner for the survivor group in the post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies, debuting in the series pilot episode "Days Gone Bye" on October 31, 2010. Rhee's character introduces resourcefulness and quick thinking early on, rescuing protagonist Rick Grimes from Atlanta's dangers and facilitating essential scavenging runs that sustain the camp.[25] Over the initial seasons, Glenn's arc evolves amid escalating threats, including his romantic development with Maggie Greene starting in season 2, forming a subplot of partnership and family-building that underscores themes of hope and loyalty in chaos. The series' surging popularity amplified Yeun's profile, with The Walking Dead reaching a season 5 premiere viewership of 17.29 million in 2014, its highest-rated episode, reflecting broad appeal that extended to merchandise like action figures and apparel featuring Glenn's likeness.[26] Glenn's portrayal as a heroic figure—defined by repeated narrow escapes from walkers, moral steadfastness, and group-centric decisions—garnered fan acclaim for embodying universal resilience rather than ethnic-specific narratives, contributing to Yeun's emergence as a recognizable lead in genre television.[27] Glenn's storyline culminated in his death during the season 7 premiere "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be," aired October 23, 2016, where antagonist Negan bludgeons him with a barbed-wire bat named Lucille, following Abraham's killing and triggered by Daryl Dixon's defiance, in a scene adapted from the comics but intensified for shock value.[28] The graphic depiction sparked widespread fan outrage, with viewers decrying excessive violence and narrative deviation, leading to a notable drop in subsequent ratings as many abandoned the series post-episode.[29] Debates ensued over production choices prioritizing comic fidelity and psychological terror over character preservation, though Yeun later reflected that filming the exit was straightforward, emphasizing the role's foundational boost to his career trajectory.[30] This event highlighted tensions between fan attachment to Glenn's arc and showrunners' commitment to causal consequences in the survivalist framework.[31]Transition to independent films and international recognition (2017–2020)
Following the conclusion of his role on The Walking Dead in 2016, Steven Yeun shifted toward independent cinema, seeking projects that allowed greater artistic depth over mainstream television stability. In 2017, he appeared in Bong Joon-ho's Okja, a Netflix-released science fiction film critiquing corporate greed and animal exploitation, where Yeun portrayed a member of an animal liberation front.[32] The film's limited theatrical run grossed approximately $2 million worldwide, primarily in South Korea, underscoring the financial risks of streaming-focused independents compared to network TV's broader reach.[33] This collaboration marked Yeun's entry into international arthouse circles, leveraging Bong's reputation for genre-blending narratives.[34] Yeun's role in Lee Chang-dong's Burning (2018) further elevated his profile, with the psychological thriller premiering at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2018, where it secured the FIPRESCI Prize for its exploration of class disparity and ambiguity.[35] Playing Ben, a enigmatic wealthy drifter, Yeun delivered a performance critics described as disarmingly cool and pivotal to the film's tension, representing a departure from his ensemble TV work toward lead-like complexity in a Korean-language production.[36] Despite critical acclaim, Burning earned $718,991 in the U.S. and $7.5 million globally, reflecting the niche appeal of subtitled indies amid competition from blockbusters.[37] The 2020 release of Minari, directed by Lee Isaac Chung, solidified Yeun's transition, casting him as Jacob Yi, a Korean immigrant farmer in 1980s Arkansas pursuing the American dream against familial and economic strains. Drawing from Chung's own heritage, the role resonated with Yeun's background as a Korean-American, emphasizing resilience and cultural dislocation through understated intensity rather than overt sentimentality.[38] Yeun's portrayal earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor on March 15, 2021—the first for an Asian-American in that category—attributed to the performance's raw authenticity over identity-based quotas.[39] With a $2 million budget, Minari grossed over $3 million domestically and $10 million worldwide, demonstrating viable returns for personal, low-budget dramas.[40] This period highlighted Yeun's willingness to embrace precarious indie ventures, prioritizing narrative merit and global festival validation.Mainstream acclaim and diverse projects (2021–present)
In 2021, Yeun appeared in the drama The Humans, directed by Stephen Karam, portraying Richard, the boyfriend of the protagonist's daughter in a tense family Thanksgiving gathering set in a Manhattan apartment.[41] The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9, 2021, and received a limited theatrical release on November 5, 2021, earning critical praise for its ensemble performances and psychological depth, with a 92% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 142 reviews.[42] Yeun expanded into horror with Jordan Peele's Nope in 2022, playing Ricky "Jupe" Park, a former child actor running a theme park who encounters extraterrestrial threats alongside ranchers portrayed by Daniel Kaluuya and Keke Palmer.[43] Released on July 22, 2022, the science fiction film grossed over $171 million worldwide against a $68 million budget and holds an 83% Rotten Tomatoes score from 479 critics, highlighting Yeun's ability to convey layered trauma within genre constraints.[44] The 2023 Netflix limited series Beef, created by Lee Sung Jin, featured Yeun as Danny Cho, a struggling contractor whose road-rage incident with Amy Lau (Ali Wong) spirals into mutual obsession and self-destruction.[45] Premiering on April 6, 2023, the 10-episode series amassed 1.59 billion viewing minutes in its second week, topping Nielsen's streaming charts and demonstrating significant audience engagement.[46] Yeun's portrayal earned him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series on January 15, 2024, contributing to the show's five Emmy wins, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series; it also secured the Golden Globe for Best Limited or Anthology Series and Yeun's acting award on January 7, 2024.[47][48] Concurrently, Yeun provided the voice for Mark Grayson/Invincible in the Amazon Prime Video animated series Invincible, which debuted its first season on March 25, 2021, and continued through three seasons by 2025, with Yeun voicing multiple alternate versions of the character in season 3, earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance.[49] Yeun's recent and upcoming projects underscore his genre versatility amid industry challenges like the 2023 writers' and actors' strikes, which delayed productions such as Mickey 17. In the 2025 sci-fi black comedy Mickey 17, directed by Bong Joon-ho and released January 31, 2025, Yeun plays Berto alongside Robert Pattinson in a tale of expendable colonists on an ice planet.[50] He stars opposite Kristen Stewart in the post-apocalyptic romance Love Me, released January 31, 2025, depicting artificial intelligences exploring human relics.[1] Additional 2025 roles include the Max series Crash Site and voicing Zuko in Paramount's animated The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender film, announced at San Diego Comic-Con on July 28, 2025.[51] These selections emphasize complex, narrative-driven characters across live-action, animation, and prestige formats.[1]Personal life
Marriage and parenthood
Steven Yeun married photographer Joana Pak on December 3, 2016, in an intimate ceremony at the historic Paramour Estate in Los Angeles.[52] The couple, who had been together for several years prior, proposed in August 2015 before settling in the Los Angeles area.[53] Yeun and Pak welcomed their first child, son Jude Malcolm Yeun, on March 17, 2017.[54] Their second child, a daughter whose name has not been publicly disclosed, was born in early 2019, with Pak sharing a hospital photo confirming the arrival around that time.[55] The family maintains a low public profile regarding personal details beyond these confirmed events.Religious influences and personal philosophy
Yeun was raised in a Korean evangelical church community in the suburban Michigan area, where his immigrant family found a supportive network amid cultural transitions. This environment served as a primary source of identity and belonging, allowing him to express himself freely without the need to code-switch between Korean and American personas, and it instilled a moral framework emphasizing collective duty and personal performance through activities like choir and skits.[56][57] His faith waned during college but revived in his late twenties, reinforcing a worldview that integrates spiritual surrender with professional pursuits; he has described religion as enabling him to "let go" in acting after preparation, viewing human complexity—including moral ambiguities in roles—as divinely ordained rather than to be avoided.[58][56][57] This ongoing Christian influence manifests in reflections on scripture, such as Romans 12:2, which he interprets as a call to mental renewal and resistance to conformity, prioritizing individual transformation over external or collective pressures.[57] Yeun's personal philosophy centers on confronting internal barriers to achieve authenticity, evolving from earlier tendencies to "break" himself in pursuit of connection toward embracing personal duality as a wellspring of intrinsic power and truth.[13] He advocates self-directed growth, encapsulated in the notion that "the last boss is yourself," and frames faith as a foundational "will to be" that sustains resilience amid career demands, favoring internal perceptual shifts over reliance on outside validation.[56][56]Views on identity and culture
Perspectives on Asian-American experience
Steven Yeun has articulated an Asian-American identity as a distinct "third culture," blending Korean heritage with American influences into a hybrid space of self-assured existence rather than perpetual liminality. In a 2021 interview, he described this as having "a foot in my own thing—like our own intrinsic third culture," emphasizing confidence in one's multifaceted reality over binary divisions between Asian roots and American assimilation.[59] This perspective rejects reductive framings that position Asian-Americans solely as products of cultural displacement, instead highlighting pragmatic agency in forging personal and communal narratives.[56] Yeun's role in Minari (2020) exemplifies his advocacy for stories centered on familial resilience and ambition, not narratives defined by external oppression or majority antagonism. He noted that the film portrays "one family, fighting for a slice of the American dream, who just happen to be Korean American," deliberately avoiding juxtaposition against a "white gaze or majority gaze" to prioritize intrinsic human drives like determination and adaptation.[59] This approach underscores his view that Asian-American experiences gain depth through universal struggles—such as parental sacrifice and economic risk-taking—rather than foregrounding victimhood, allowing characters to embody agency amid challenges rooted in individual choices.[8] In selecting roles, Yeun critiques media tendencies toward stereotypical or tokenized portrayals lacking nuance, favoring parts that explore layered human complexities over ethnic checkboxes. He has expressed frustration with expectations to "piece together an identity" under external scrutiny, instead pursuing authenticity where "every part of me is Asian" informs truthful performances without reductive labels.[57] This manifests in projects like Burning (2018), where he infuses characters with hybrid mannerisms blending Korean precision and American informality, prioritizing enigmatic psychological depth over cultural tropes.[56] Yeun's selections thus reflect a commitment to elevating Asian-American stories through empirical realism—grounded in observable immigrant dynamics like collectivist family pressures intersecting with individualistic pursuits—rather than ideologically laden simplifications.[57]Political endorsements and public statements
In December 2019, Yeun endorsed Andrew Yang's campaign for the Democratic presidential nomination, praising his emphasis on universal basic income, automation's economic impacts, and solutions-oriented policies that prioritize adaptability over partisan ideology.[60][61] This followed his support for Bernie Sanders in the 2016 Democratic primaries, where he favored Sanders over Hillary Clinton for the nomination.[56] Yeun's political commentary has remained infrequent and measured, steering clear of sustained partisan advocacy. In a March 2021 interview, he expressed personal frustrations with Yang's navigation of identity politics while still recognizing the value in his broader candidacy, reflecting a preference for pragmatic discourse amid cultural tensions.[56] Later that year, amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, Yeun publicly criticized Yang for a social media statement he interpreted as conflating Hamas militants with Palestinian civilians, though Yang had explicitly condemned only the former; Yeun later clarified the matter as a misreading but distanced himself from further alignment.[62] His statements often underscore individual agency and economic pragmatism, as evidenced by his endorsement of Yang's focus on personal adaptation to technological disruption rather than reliance on expansive government redistribution frameworks.[63] Yeun has avoided broader endorsements in subsequent cycles, maintaining a profile centered on artistic work over political activism.Reception and legacy
Critical evaluations and achievements
Steven Yeun's performances have garnered widespread critical acclaim for their emotional authenticity and versatility, particularly in roles that explore immigrant experiences and internal conflict. In Minari (2020), his portrayal of a determined Korean-American farmer was lauded for its restrained intensity and subtle conveyance of familial strain, with reviewers highlighting the depth he brought to understated moments of hope and despair.[64][65] The film achieved a 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, reflecting strong consensus on Yeun's contribution to its intimate narrative.[66] Yeun's turn as Danny Cho in the Netflix series Beef (2023) further solidified his reputation, earning him the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series in January 2024, marking his first win in the category. Critics praised his raw depiction of suppressed rage and shame, rooted in cultural and personal pressures, though some noted the character's escalating volatility occasionally overshadowed narrative subtlety.[6][67] This performance, alongside the series' five Emmy wins, underscored empirical validation of his skill in psychologically complex roles.[68] Earlier critiques pointed to potential limitations in Yeun's range during his television tenure, where genre demands in shows like The Walking Dead (2010–2016) confined him to archetypal survivalist characters, restricting opportunities for nuanced emotional layering compared to his later film work.[69] His strategic pivot to independent cinema, including Burning (2018) and Okja (2017), yielded higher critical metrics—such as Burning's strong reception for his chilling ambiguity—but modest box office returns, with Minari grossing approximately $15 million worldwide against a $2 million budget, prioritizing artistic merit over commercial scale.[70] This trajectory highlights a merit-based ascent, evidenced by his historic Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for Minari, the first for an Asian American in that category.[4]Fan reactions and cultural impact
Fans of The Walking Dead developed strong devotion to Steven Yeun's portrayal of Glenn Rhee, viewing the character as a symbol of resilience and moral grounding amid apocalyptic chaos.[71] This attachment fueled widespread grief and outrage following Glenn's brutal death in the season 7 premiere "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be," which aired on October 23, 2016, where he was bludgeoned by Negan's bat, Lucille.[72] Many viewers cited the graphic violence and emotional investment in Glenn's arc—from survivor to devoted family man—as reasons for abandoning the series, with fan forums documenting sentiments of betrayal over the loss of a beloved everyman hero whose demise underscored the Saviors' unrelenting cruelty.[73] Yeun himself reflected that the backlash stemmed from fans' deep identification with Glenn's optimism, which the killing shattered to heighten narrative stakes, though some argued the shock value prioritized spectacle over character preservation.[74] In contrast, Yeun's role as Danny Cho in the 2023 Netflix series Beef elicited enthusiastic fan responses centered on its raw exploration of suppressed rage and male vulnerability, spawning viral memes and social media discussions about emotional repression.[75] Viewers praised Yeun's depiction of a struggling contractor unraveling through escalating road-rage feuds, with clips of his breakdowns circulating widely on platforms like TikTok, highlighting themes of immigrant disillusionment and unarticulated pain without resorting to reductive stereotypes.[76] Fan analyses often linked Danny's arc to broader conversations on mental health, appreciating how Yeun's performance humanized vulnerability in Asian male leads, diverging from action-hero tropes and fostering empathy through authentic, unflinching portrayals of failure and catharsis.[77] Yeun's cultural impact manifests in his trailblazing Oscar nomination for Best Actor in Minari (2021), the first for an Asian American in that category, which fans and peers attributed to his nuanced embodiment of immigrant tenacity rather than diversity mandates.[5] This milestone spurred Asian actors to seek roles emphasizing merit-driven complexity over tokenism, influencing a shift toward scripts exploring "third culture" identities—hybrids of heritage and assimilation—that prioritize universal human struggles.[59] While fan outrage dynamics, as seen in Glenn's exit, reveal attachments amplified by prolonged exposure and narrative investment, Yeun's oeuvre has cultivated a legacy of demanding substantive opportunities, evidenced by increased visibility for performers navigating cultural duality through skill, not concessions.[12] Controversies tied to his projects, such as backlash against collaborators in Beef, underscore how fan scrutiny often conflates artistic choices with personal ethics, yet Yeun's consistent focus on grounded realism has sustained admiration for transcending ethnic pigeonholing.[78]Filmography
Feature films
Steven Yeun's feature film roles began with supporting parts in independent productions before transitioning to more prominent characters in international and Hollywood films. His early credits include Kenny in the science fiction drama I Origins (2014), directed by Mike Cahill.[23] In 2017, he appeared as K, a supporting operative, in Bong Joon-ho's sci-fi adventure Okja, and took a lead role as Derek Cho in the action horror Mayhem.[23] A breakthrough came with Burning (2018), directed by Lee Chang-dong, where Yeun portrayed Ben, a mysterious figure in this South Korean psychological drama adapted from a Haruki Murakami short story. [79] In Minari (2020), Yeun led as Jacob Yi, the determined father in a Korean immigrant family pursuing an Arkansas farm life, while also serving as executive producer. [66] He followed with Richard, a family member navigating tension, in the drama The Humans (2021), adapted and directed by Stephen Karam from his stage play. [80] Yeun expanded into genre films with Ricky "Jupe" Park, a former child actor and ranch owner, in Jordan Peele's science fiction horror Nope (2022). [24] He also executive produced the documentary Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV (2023), focusing on the pioneering video artist's life and work.[81] Upcoming is Mickey 17 (2025), directed by Bong Joon-ho, in which Yeun plays Timo, a pilot and ally to the protagonist in this sci-fi adaptation of Edward Ashton's novel.[50] [82]| Year | Title | Role | Director | Genre/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | I Origins | Kenny | Mike Cahill | Sci-fi drama |
| 2017 | Okja | K | Bong Joon-ho | Sci-fi adventure |
| 2017 | Mayhem | Derek Cho | Joe Lynch | Action horror |
| 2018 | Burning | Ben | Lee Chang-dong | Psychological drama |
| 2020 | Minari | Jacob Yi | Lee Isaac Chung | Immigrant drama; exec. prod. |
| 2021 | The Humans | Richard | Stephen Karam | Family drama |
| 2022 | Nope | Ricky "Jupe" Park | Jordan Peele | Sci-fi horror |
| 2023 | Nam June Paik: Moon Is the Oldest TV | Executive producer | Amanda Kim, Amanda Ward | Documentary |
| 2025 | Mickey 17 | Timo | Bong Joon-ho | Sci-fi |