Yoo Seung-ho (; born August 17, 1993) is a South Korean actor who rose to fame as a
child actor
The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage or in film, movies or television. An adult who began their acting career as a child may also be called a child actor, or a "former child actor". Closely associ ...
in the film ''
The Way Home'' (2002). Since then, he has starred in many television series and movie films as a child and teenager.
After his two-year mandatory military service, he starred in the legal drama
''Remember'' (2015), historical films ''
Joseon Magician
''The Magician'' (; ) is a 2015 South Korean period fantasy film directed by Kim Dae-seung. The film was released in December 2015.
Plot
A story of the famous magician in Joseon Era who fell in love with a princess who is a fiancé of the prince ...
'' (2015) and ''
Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River'' (2016) as well as historical drama ''
The Emperor: Owner of the Mask'' (2017), romance comedy series ''
I'm Not a Robot'' (2017), and SBS's high school drama ''
My Strange Hero
''My Strange Hero'' () is a South Korean television series starring Yoo Seung-ho, Jo Bo-ah, and Kwak Dong-yeon. It aired on SBS's Mondays and Tuesdays at 22:00 ( KST) from December 10, 2018 to February 4, 2019.
Synopsis
In 2009, Kang Bok-soo is ...
'' (2018).
Early life and education
Born and raised in
Incheon
Incheon (; ; or Inch'ŏn; literally "kind river"), formerly Jemulpo or Chemulp'o (제물포) until the period after 1910, officially the Incheon Metropolitan City (인천광역시, 仁川廣域市), is a city located in northwestern South Kore ...
, Yoo is the younger of two siblings, he later claimed that his family had been poor.
Yoo graduated from Baekshin High School in February 2012. He decided not to pursue a college degree in order to concentrate on his acting career.
Career
1999–2009: Beginnings as a child actor
Yoo made his entertainment debut in a cellphone commercial in 1999 after Yoo's mother sent in a photo of her son to an ad agency.
In 2000 Yoo began his career as a
child actor
The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage or in film, movies or television. An adult who began their acting career as a child may also be called a child actor, or a "former child actor". Closely associ ...
, first appearing in the
television drama
In film and television show, television, drama is a category or genre of narrative fiction (or docudrama, semi-fiction) intended to be more serious than humour, humorous in tone. Drama of this kind is usually qualified with additional terms t ...
''Daddy Fish''. He rose to stardom in his first film ''
The Way Home'', playing a bratty city boy who learns to appreciate country life when he's forced to spend the summer with his deaf-mute grandmother.
The low-budget film was a surprise box office hit in 2002, drawing more than 4 million admissions. He was then affectionately labeled as "
Nation's Little Brother". Thereafter, Yoo also starred in animal movie ''
Hearty Paws'' (2006) about a boy and his beloved dog, and ''Unforgettable'' (2008) about school children from a remote island who go on a field trip to a candy factory in
Seoul
Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 ...
during the 1970s.
He continued acting in television, appearing in ''Magic Warriors Mir & Gaon'' (2005), an adventure series for children. Yoo further built his filmography, playing younger counterparts of male protagonists in television dramas, including general
Yi Sun-sin
Admiral Yi Sun-sin (April 28, 1545 – December 16, 1598) was a Korean admiral and military general famed for his victories against the Japanese navy during the Imjin war in the Joseon Dynasty. Over the course of his career, Admiral Yi foug ...
in ''
Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin
''Immortal Admiral Yi Sun-sin'' (; lit. "The Immortal Yi Sun-sin") is a South Korean television series based on the life of Yi Sun-sin, starring Kim Myung-min in the title role. It aired on KBS1 on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:45 from September 4 ...
'' (2004),
King Seongjong in ''
The King and I
''The King and I'' is the fifth musical by the team of Rodgers and Hammerstein. It is based on Margaret Landon's novel '' Anna and the King of Siam'' (1944), which is in turn derived from the memoirs of Anna Leonowens, governess to the childre ...
'' (2007), and
Gwanggaeto the Great
Gwanggaeto the Great (374–413, r. 391–413) was the nineteenth monarch of Goguryeo. His full posthumous name means "Entombed in ''Gukgangsang'', Broad Expander of Domain, Peacemaker, Supreme King", sometimes abbreviated to ''Hotaewang'' ...
in ''
The Legend'' (2007).
In 2009, Yoo starred in the action film ''
City of Fathers
''City of Fathers'' () is a 2009 South Korean film written and directed by Park Ji-won.
Plot
Kang-soo is a third-rate street thug in Busan; he's an alcoholic and gambling addict who's always on the run from loan sharks. But when his rebellious te ...
'' and thriller film ''
4th Period Mystery''.
He also played
Kim Chunchu
King Taejong Muyeol (604–661), born Gim Chunchu, was the 29th ruler of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. He is credited for leading the unification of Korea's Three Kingdoms.
Background
King Taejong Muyeol was born with the "sacred ...
in the period epic ''
Queen Seondeok
Queen Seondeok of Silla ( ko, 선덕여왕 ; 595~610 – 17 February 647/January 8, Lunar Calendar) reigned as Queen Regnant of Silla, one of the Three Kingdoms of Korea, from 632 to 647. She was Silla's twenty-seventh ruler, and its first re ...
''.
2010–2014: Teen roles
![Yoo Seung-ho in 2012 07(crop)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7e/Yoo_Seung-ho_in_2012_07%28crop%29.jpg)
In his teens, Yoo was cast in one of the major roles in ''
Master of Study
''Master of Study'' () is a South Korean television series that aired on KBS2 from January 4 to February 23, 2010 on Mondays and Tuesdays at 21:55 for 16 episodes. It starred Kim Su-ro, Bae Doona, Oh Yoon-ah, Yoo Seung-ho, Go Ah-sung, Lee Hyu ...
'' (2010), a Korean screen adaptation of Japanese
manga
Manga (Japanese: 漫画 ) are comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Most manga conform to a style developed in Japan in the late 19th century, and the form has a long prehistory in earlier Japanese art. The term ''manga'' is u ...
''
Dragon Zakura
is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Norifusa Mita. Serialized in ''Weekly Morning'' from 2003 to 2007, it was released into 21 ''tankōbon'' by Kodansha between October 22, 2003, and August 23, 2007. It was adapted into l ...
''.
He then played a more mature role in ''
Flames of Desire
''Flames of Desire'' (; lit. ''Flames of Ambition'') is a South Korean television series starring Shin Eun-kyung, Seo Woo, Yoo Seung-ho, Jo Min-ki, and Lee Soon-jae. It aired on MBC from October 2, 2010 to March 27, 2011 on Saturdays and Sunda ...
'', as the second-generation son of a wealthy
chaebol
A chaebol (, ; ) is a large industrial South Korean conglomerate run and controlled by an individual or family. A chaebol often consists of multiple diversified affiliates, controlled by a person or group whose power over the group often exc ...
family who is uninterested in the battles of succession among his relatives and becomes a married man at 21.
Later that year, Yoo sang a duet with singer/actress
IU titled "Believe in Love" for the charity program ''Love Request''. The song's lyrics was based on a diary that Yoo had written while seeing orphans of war in the slums of Sri Lanka.
In 2011, Yoo trained in swordplay and martial arts in his role as an assassin in ''
Warrior Baek Dong-soo
''Warrior Baek Dong-soo'' () is a 2011 South Korean fusion historical/action television series starring Ji Chang-wook in the title role, with Yoo Seung-ho, Yoon So-yi, Shin Hyun-bin, Choi Min-soo and Jun Kwang-ryul. It aired on SBS from July 4 ...
'', an
action
Action may refer to:
* Action (narrative), a literary mode
* Action fiction, a type of genre fiction
* Action game, a genre of video game
Film
* Action film, a genre of film
* ''Action'' (1921 film), a film by John Ford
* ''Action'' (1980 fil ...
-period drama based on the
manhwa
(; ) is the general Korean language, Korean term for comics and print cartoons. Outside Korea, the term usually refers to South Korea, South Korean comics. is greatly influenced by Japanese Manga comics. Modern Manhwa has extended its rea ...
by Lee Jae-heon.
He also voiced Greenie, Leafie's adopted son, on ''
Leafie, a Hen into the Wild
''Leafie, A Hen into the Wild'' (), also called ''Daisy, A Hen into the Wild'' in English-speaking countries, is a 2011 South Korean animated drama film which depicts the freedom, will and instinctive motherly love of a hen as she raises an adopted ...
'', which was adapted from a bestselling children's novel by
Hwang Sun-mi
Hwang Seon-mi (born 1963) is a South Korean author and professor who is best known for her fable ''The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly'', which has also been made into a successful animated film in South Korea, ''Leafie, A Hen into the Wild''.
Li ...
.
He then co-starred with
Kim Ha-neul
Kim Ha-neul (; born February 21, 1978) is a South Korean actress. After starting her career as a model, she rose to fame by starring in romantic-comedy films ''My Tutor Friend'' (2003) and ''Too Beautiful to Lie'' (2004) and the action-comedy f ...
in the
thriller ''
Blind''.
In 2012, Yoo was cast in his first role as a leading man in ''
Operation Proposal
''Operation Proposal'' () is a 2012 South Korean television series starring Yoo Seung-ho and Park Eun-bin. It aired on TV Chosun from February 8 to March 29, 2012 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 20:45 for 16 episodes. It is a remake of Japanese d ...
'', a Korean
remake
A remake is a film, television series, video game, song or similar form of entertainment that is based upon and retells the story of an earlier production in the same medium—e.g., a "new version of an existing film". A remake tells the same ...
of the
Japanese drama ''
Proposal Daisakusen''.
This was followed by a supporting role as the
Jade Emperor
The Jade Emperor or Yudi ( or , ') in Chinese culture, traditional religions and myth is one of the representations of the first god ( '). In Daoist theology he is the assistant of Yuanshi Tianzun, who is one of the Three Pure Ones, the three ...
, ruler of the heavens, in the fantasy-period drama ''
Arang and the Magistrate
''Arang and the Magistrate'' (; also known as ''Tale of A-rang'') is a 2012 South Korean historical television drama (''sageuk''), starring Lee Joon-gi, Shin Min-ah, and Yeon Woo-jin. The period horror-romance is based on the Arang (Korean folkl ...
''.
Afterwards, he starred in the melodrama ''
Missing You'', playing a cold man who hides a vengeance-filled heart behind his seemingly gentle smile.
Known in the press as "Little
So Ji-sub" for his resemblance to the said actor, in 2013 Yoo starred in the music video for So's
single
Single may refer to:
Arts, entertainment, and media
* Single (music), a song release
Songs
* "Single" (Natasha Bedingfield song), 2004
* "Single" (New Kids on the Block and Ne-Yo song), 2008
* "Single" (William Wei song), 2016
* "Single", by ...
"Eraser" together with
Park Shin-hye
Park Shin-hye (, born February 18, 1990) is a South Korean actress and singer. She gained recognition as a child on TV shows such as ''Stairway to Heaven'' (2003), and ''Tree of Heaven'' (2006). Later on, she would achieve further success when ...
. This was his second time promoting So's musical endeavors, after "Lonely Life" in 2008. Following that, Yoo's first photo book titled ''Travel Letter, Spring Snow, And...'' was published; it was the last project shot by celebrity photographer Bori before her death on April 9, 2013.
2015–present: Adult roles and rising popularity
As his first post-army project, Yoo appeared in the music video for
Naul's "You From the Same Time" in 2015. He was next cast as a stubborn
webcomic
Webcomics (also known as online comics or Internet comics) are comics published on a website or mobile app. While many are published exclusively on the web, others are also published in magazines, newspapers, or comic books.
Webcomics can be co ...
writer raising a cat in the TV adaptation of
webtoon
Webtoons (), are a type of digital comic that originated in South Korea usually meant to be read on smartphones.
While webtoons were mostly unknown outside of Korea during their inception, there has been a surge in popularity internationally ...
''
Imaginary Cat
''Imaginary Cat'' () is an 8-episode South Korean television series starring Yoo Seung-ho. It aired on cable network MBC Every 1, every Tuesday at 20:50 ( KST) from November 24, 2015, to January 12, 2016.
Synopsis
The series tells the story of ...
''.
Yoo followed this by starring in the joseon-era romance film ''
The Magician'' directed by
Kim Dae-seung
Kim Dae-seung (born June 18, 1967) is a South Korean film director and screenwriter.
Career
After graduating from Chung-Ang University with a degree in Film Studies, Kim Dae-seung first honed his filmmaking skills as a protege of legendary Kor ...
, in which he plays a circus magician who falls in love with a princess.
Yoo was then cast in
SBS's legal thriller series
''Remember'' as a lawyer with
hyperthymesia
Hyperthymesia, also known as hyperthymestic syndrome or highly superior autobiographical memory (HSAM), is a condition that leads people to be able to remember an abnormally large number of their life experiences in vivid detail. It is extraordi ...
who defends his father on
death row
Death row, also known as condemned row, is a place in a prison that houses inmates awaiting Capital punishment, execution after being convicted of a capital crime and sentenced to death. The term is also used figuratively to describe the state of ...
.
In 2016, Yoo starred in the historical comedy film ''
Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River'' as the titular character Kim Seon-dal.
In 2017, he starred in
MBC's
historical melodrama ''
The Emperor: Owner of the Mask''
and romantic-comedy ''
I'm Not a Robot''.
In 2018, he was cast in SBS's high school drama ''
My Strange Hero
''My Strange Hero'' () is a South Korean television series starring Yoo Seung-ho, Jo Bo-ah, and Kwak Dong-yeon. It aired on SBS's Mondays and Tuesdays at 22:00 ( KST) from December 10, 2018 to February 4, 2019.
Synopsis
In 2009, Kang Bok-soo is ...
''.
In 2020, Yoo starred in the mystery thriller ''
Memorist
''Memorist'' () is a 2020 South Korean television series starring Yoo Seung-ho, Lee Se-young, and Jo Sung-ha. Based on the 2016–2018 Daum webtoon of the same name by Jae Hoo, it aired on tvN from March 11 to April 30, 2020.
Synopsis
With th ...
'' as a detective in the police force with the power to read people's memories.
In 2021, Yoo played a passionate inspector in
KBS2
The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) () is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in February 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters.
KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels, a ...
historical drama
''Moonshine''.
In March 2022, Yoo signed with new agency
YG Entertainment
YG Entertainment Inc. () is a South Korean multinational entertainment agency established in 1996 by Yang Hyun-suk. The company operates as a record label, talent agency, music production company, event management and concert production compa ...
.
Personal life
Yoo enlisted for his
mandatory military service
Conscription (also called the draft in the United States) is the state-mandated enlistment of people in a national service, mainly a military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and it continues in some countries to the present day un ...
in the
army
An army (from Old French ''armee'', itself derived from the Latin verb ''armāre'', meaning "to arm", and related to the Latin noun ''arma'', meaning "arms" or "weapons"), ground force or land force is a fighting force that fights primarily on ...
on March 5, 2013, where he reportedly became an instructor training new recruits.
He was discharged on December 4, 2014.
Filmography
Film
Television series
Web series
Television shows
Discography
Bibliography
Awards and nominations
References
External links
*
Yoo Seung-ho Official Instagramat
Instagram
Instagram is a photo and video sharing social networking service owned by American company Meta Platforms. The app allows users to upload media that can be edited with filters and organized by hashtags and geographical tagging. Posts can ...
Yoo Seung-ho Official Fan Cafeat
Daum
*
*
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Yoo, Seung-ho
South Korean male television actors
South Korean male film actors
South Korean male child actors
People from Incheon
1993 births
Living people
YG Entertainment artists