Yu Oh-seong (born September 11, 1966) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for his roles in Beat (1997), Attack the Gas Station (1999), Friend (2001) and Champion (2002).
Yu Oh-seong | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | September 11, 1966 Yeongwol County, South Korea |
| Other names | Yoo Oh-sung Yoo Oh-seong |
| Education | Hanyang University - Theater and Film |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1992-present |
| Family | Yu Sang-beom |
| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 유오성 |
| Hanja | |
| Revised Romanization | Yu Oh-seong |
| McCune–Reischauer | Yu Osŏng |
Career
editYu Oh-seong made his stage debut in 1992, and throughout the mid-1990s, he complemented a career in television with minor roles in film. With his success playing a young gangster in the hit movie Beat (1997), Yu's face became familiar to a new generation of moviegoers. The year 1999 was somewhat of a breakthrough for Yu, as he took the lead role in Jang Jin's acclaimed cult comedy, The Spy and also starred in Kim Sang-jin's hugely successful Attack the Gas Station.[1]
His career reached its peak in 2001. Appearing as Jang Dong-gun's co-star in Kwak Kyung-taek's smash hit Friend, which sold an unprecedented 8 million tickets, Yu won effusive critical praise for his hard-edged performance as a ruthless gangster and enjoyed a tremendous degree of exposure.[1][2]
This fame would carry over somewhat when he took the lead in director Kwak's fourth feature Champion, a 1980s-set biopic of boxer Kim Deuk-gu, who dominated the Korean boxing scene until his death after the World Boxing Association lightweight championship in 1982. However, even though Yu was praised for his body makeover and acting skills, the film failed to deliver on the high expectations that preceded it.[1] Later that year, a series of highly public disagreements with Kwak, believed to stem from money problems, made headlines and served to cool some of the public's interest in the actor.[3]
Yu's next two films, the melodrama Star with actress Park Jin-hee and the patriotic/historical drama Thomas An Jung-geun about the titular independence activist, bombed badly at the box office.[1]
He returned to television in 2004, headlining his first historical drama series (sageuk) Jang Gil-san. Set in the Joseon period during the reign of King Sukjong, Jang Gil-san was born of a female servant, raised by gypsies, then rises politically.[4]
For the contemporary drama Invisible Man in 2006, he played a man in his thirties battling early-onset Alzheimer's disease with the support of his loving family (his wife is played by Chae Shi-ra).[5] Yu said his character Choi Jang-soo was closest to his real-life personality.[6] This was followed by a leading role in adultery drama Dear Lover (2007) with Yoon Son-ha, a remake of 1995 Japanese drama Koibito Yo.[7]
In 2009, Yu and Song Seon-mi played a gangster and doctor who fall in love in the stage play Turn Around and Leave, which was previously dramatized onscreen in the 1998 film A Promise and the 2006 TV series Lovers.[8] Later that year, he played a supporting role in Potato Symphony, about a man who moves back to his hometown with his daughter, and faces unresolved conflicts with his old high school friends (the protagonist is played by Jeon Yong-taek, who also wrote, directed and produced the film). Jeon and Yu are close friends in real life, and the film is set in their hometown Yeongwol County. Despite winning the Grand Prix at the 4th Festival Franco-Coréen du Film, Potato Symphony was little seen domestically.[9]
After the underwhelming box office and TV ratings of past projects he'd headlined, Yu stuck to supporting roles. He starred opposite Kim Dong-wook in buddy comedy Happy Killers (2010), in which Kim played a slacker cop assigned to investigate a serial killer case, while Yu played an unemployed man with natural instincts as a detective who gets in the way by trying to catch the killer as well.[6] Yu also appeared in action series Swallow the Sun (2009) which was filmed in Las Vegas, South Africa and Jeju Island, two horse-based human comedy films -- Lump Sugar (2006) starring Im Soo-jung and Champ (2011) starring Cha Tae-hyun,[10] and the crime drama Don't Cry Mommy (2012).[11]
More recently, he played villains in the 2010 historical drama Kim Su-ro, The Iron King, and the 2012 fantasy Faith in which he played a fictionalized version of Empress Gi's older brother.[12]
In 2013, Yu reprised his most memorable role in the sequel Friend: The Great Legacy, in which he faces the grown-up son of the friend he'd given orders to be killed (Kim Woo-bin), interspersed with scenes of his own father's gangster past in Busan (Joo Jin-mo).[13]
Yu made a return to the sageuk genre with the 2014 drama series Gunman in Joseon, in which he plays the main antagonist. His performance as Choi Won-sin, a villainous and powerful merchant and the archenemy of Lee Joon-gi's character, was widely praised and earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2014 KBS Drama Awards.[14][15]
Filmography
editFilm
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Love, Love: Han Hee-jak's Love Stories | Dal-shik |
| 1993 | First Love | |
| 1994 | I Wish for What Is Forbidden to Me | Hwang Nam-gi |
| 1995 | Dr. Bong | On-dal |
| Terrorist | Jeom-pyo | |
| Man? | Seong Chung-do | |
| 1996 | Kill the Love | Baek Joon |
| 1997 | Poison | |
| Beat | Tae-soo | |
| 1998 | Saturday, 2:00 pm | Dal-soo |
| Spring in My Hometown | Sung-min's uncle | |
| 1999 | The Spy | Rhee Cheol-jin |
| Attack the Gas Station | Mu Dae-po ("Bulldozer") | |
| 2001 | Friend | Lee Joon-seok |
| 2002 | Champion | Kim Deuk-gu |
| 2003 | Star | Yeong-woo |
| 2004 | Thomas An Jung-geun | An Jung-geun |
| 2006 | Lump Sugar | Yun-jo |
| 2009 | Potato Symphony | Jin-han |
| 2010 | Happy Killers | Kim Young-seok |
| 2011 | Champ | Trainer Yoon |
| 2012 | Don't Cry Mommy | Detective |
| 2013 | Friend: The Great Legacy | Lee Joon-seok |
| 2015 | Shoot Me in the Heart | Choi Ki-hoon |
| 2018 | The Great Battle | Yeon Gaesomun |
| 2021 | Tomb of the River | Gil-seok[16] |
Television series
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Aim for Tomorrow | Kang Dae-ho | ||
| 2000 | Some Like It Hot | Kang Man-ho | ||
| 2004 | Jang Gil-san | Jang Gil-san | ||
| 2006 | Invisible Man | Choi Jang-soo | ||
| 2007 | Dear Lover | Go Dong-woo | ||
| 2009 | Swallow the Sun | Jackson Lee | ||
| Invincible Lee Pyung Kang | Policeman | Cameo | ||
| 2010 | Kim Su-ro, The Iron King | Shingwi Ghan / Tae-gang | ||
| 2012 | KBS Drama Special: "Missing Case of National Assembly Member Jung Chi-sung" |
Jung Chi-sung | ||
| Faith | Ki-Chul | |||
| 2013 | KBS Drama Special: "Mother's Island" |
Lee-Tan | ||
| KBS Drama Special: "The Devil Rider" |
Moon-Bok | |||
| 2014 | Gunman in Joseon | Choi Won-shin | ||
| 2015 | Spy | Hwang Ki-chul | ||
| The Merchant: Gaekju 2015 | Gil So-gae | |||
| 2016 | Uncontrollably Fond | Choi Hyeon-joon | ||
| 2018 | Are You Human?[17] | Seo Jong-gil | ||
| 2019 | My Country: The New Age | Seo Geom | Cameo | |
| 2021 | The Veil | Baek Mo-sa | [18] | |
| 2023 | Welcome to Samdal-ri | Jo Sang-tae | ||
| TBA | Sweet Home | Tak In-hwan | Season 2–3 | [19][20] |
Variety show
edit| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Billion Won Mystery with Yu Oh-seong | Host |
| 2021 | Law of the Jungle – Pent Island: Island of Desire | Cast Member [21][22] |
Music video
edit| Year | Song title | Artist |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | "Goodbye" | Seo Yoon |
| 2013 | "Baby I'm Sorry" (2013)[23][24] | MY NAME |
Theater
edit| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Blood | |
| 2005 | Story of an Old Thief[25] | |
| Tape | Vince | |
| 2006 | Oedipus | |
| 2009 | Turn Around and Leave | Gong Sang-du |
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | 32nd Grand Bell Awards | Best New Actor | I Wish for What Is Forbidden to Me | Nominated |
| 1997 | 35th Grand Bell Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Beat | Nominated |
| 1998 | MBC Drama Awards | Best New Actor | Aim for Tomorrow | Won |
| 1999 | Korean Most Popular Entertainment Awards | Most Popular Actor | Won | |
| 2001 | 46th Asia Pacific Film Festival | Best Actor | Friend | Won |
| 9th Chunsa Film Art Awards | Best Actor | Won | ||
| 38th Grand Bell Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
| 22nd Blue Dragon Film Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | ||
| 2002 | 38th Baeksang Arts Awards | Best Actor (Film) | Nominated | |
| Most Popular Actor (Film) | Won | |||
| 1st Korean Film Awards | Best Actor | Champion | Nominated | |
| 2003 | 40th Grand Bell Awards | Best Actor | Nominated | |
| 2007 | 44th Grand Bell Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Lump Sugar | Nominated |
| 2009 | SBS Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Special | Swallow the Sun | Nominated |
| 2012 | SBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries | Faith | Nominated |
| KBS Drama Awards | Best Actor in a One-act Drama | Missing Case of National Assembly Member Jung Chi-sung |
Nominated | |
| 2013 | KBS Drama Awards | Best Actor in a One-act Drama | Mother's Island, The Devil Rider | Won |
| 2014 | KBS Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Gunman in Joseon | Nominated |
| 2015 | KBS Drama Awards | Excellence Award, Actor in Mid-length Drama | The Merchant: Gaekju 2015 | Nominated |
| 2018 | KBS Drama Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Are You Human? | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ a b c d "Actors and Actresses of Korean Cinema: Yoo Oh-sung". Koreanfilm.org. Archived from the original on 2018-12-15. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ Hwang, Hee-yeon (22 March 2001). "Buddies tells story of lost youth, friendship". The Dong-a Ilbo. Archived from the original on 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ Hong, Chan-shik (3 November 2002). "Friends". The Dong-a Ilbo. Archived from the original on 2024-08-23. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ Kim, Sun-woo (4 April 2004). "Yoo Oh-sung to Star in Drama Jang Gil-san". The Dong-a Ilbo. Archived from the original on 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ Chung, Ah-young (31 July 2006). "Traditional Dramas Beat Trendy Ones". The Korea Times via Hancinema. Archived from the original on 2013-08-24. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ a b "All That Star: Genuine Actor, Yu Oh-seong is back with the comedic flick Happy Killers, looking more cheerful and easygoing than before". Arirang News. Archived from the original on 2014-10-21. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ "Fresh Japanese Wave Threatens Korean Pop Culture". The Chosun Ilbo. 26 March 2007. Archived from the original on 2013-12-21. Retrieved 2013-06-04.
- ^ "Events Calendar". The Korea Herald. 7 February 2009. Archived from the original on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ "New Films". Korean Film Council. 1 January 2010. Archived from the original on 2019-03-31. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ "Champ (2011)". The Chosun Ilbo. 16 September 2011. Archived from the original on 2012-01-20. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ Park, Eun-jee (2 November 2012). "Three films zero in on the limitations of legal system". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ "Lee Min-ho, Kim Hee-seon unveils teaser for new TV series". Asiae. July 10, 2012. Archived from the original on 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ Sunwoo, Carla (8 November 2013). "12 years later, an iconic Friend returns". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on 2020-04-04. Retrieved 2014-02-03.
- ^ "'조선 총잡이' 유오성, 소름 끼치는 두 얼굴?…역대급 악역 변신 '눈길'" (in Korean). imaeil.com. July 24, 2014. Archived from the original on July 12, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
- ^ "'조선총잡이' 전혜빈, 유오성과 부녀 호흡 "선배님은 최고의 배우"". The Dong-a Ilbo (in Korean). May 23, 2014. Archived from the original on July 14, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2020.
- ^ Jeon Hyung-hwa (September 16, 2021). "유오성x장혁 액션 느와르 '강릉' 11월 개봉 확정 [공식]" [Yoo Oh-seong x Jang Hyuk action noir 'Gangneung' confirmed for November release [Official]]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021 – via Naver.
- ^ "[단독] 유오성, '너도 인간이니' 출연…서강준과 대립각". JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). June 5, 2017. Archived from the original on May 11, 2021. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
- ^ Kim Ji-won (June 8, 2021). "유오성, '검은 태양' 출연 확정…3년 만의 드라마 복귀 [공식]". Naver (in Korean). TenAsia. Archived from the original on June 8, 2021. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
- ^ Hwang So-young (January 18, 2022). "[단독] 유오성, 넷플릭스 '스위트홈2' 합류…송강·이진욱과 호흡" [[Exclusive] Oh-seong Yoo joins Netflix's 'Sweet Home 2'... Breathing with Song Kang and Lee Jin-wook] (in Korean). JTBC. Archived from the original on March 30, 2022. Retrieved January 18, 2022.
- ^ Kang Hyo-jin (June 15, 2022). "스위트홈' 시즌2·3 동시제작→송강부터 유오성까지 캐스팅 확정" [Sweet Home' season 2 and 3 simultaneous production → Casting confirmed from Song Kang to Yoo Oh-seong] (in Korean). spoTV News. Archived from the original on June 15, 2022. Retrieved June 15, 2022 – via Naver.
- ^ Kim Je-ni (May 18, 2021). "정글의 법칙', 국내 편 마지막 시즌 방송... 유오성→설인아 출격". Star Daily News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 7, 2021. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ^ Jin Joo-hee (May 21, 2021). "정글의 법칙' 유오성·설인아, 화려한 정글 재입성기[MK★TV컷]". MK Sports (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved May 22, 2021.
- ^ Hong, Grace Danbi (5 July 2013). "MYNAME Unveils its Powerful Yet Violent MV for Baby I'm Sorry". enewsWorld. Archived from the original on 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ "This Could Be a Movie: MYNAME Releases Blockbuster Baby I'm Sorry MV". Soompi. 4 July 2013. Archived from the original on 2013-07-07. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
- ^ "Events Calendar". The Korea Herald. 11 July 2009. Archived from the original on 2014-08-21. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
External links
edit- Yoo Oh-seong at HanCinema
- Yu Oh-seong at the Korean Movie Database
- Yu Oh-seong at IMDb
