Yoo Ah In

Yoo Ah In is a South Korean actor. He’s best known for his roles in Korean movies such as Punch (2011), Veteran (2015), #Alive (2020), and Seoul Vibe (2022).

Career

Yoo Ah In got into the entertainment industry after he was scouted in front of his school.

To pursue a career in the industry, he moved to Seoul and began living by himself. This Libra man then started appearing in TV commercials as of 2003.

In 2004, the man from Daegu made his acting debut in the TV series Sharp. He immediately gained some recognition and popularity. The series helped open up more opportunities for him.

Ah In took part in the film Boys of Tomorrow in 2006. This came after one year hiatus where he reflected on being an actor.

His performance in the film was met with positive reviews all around. He even won the Best New Actor award at Busan Film Critics Awards.

This actor continued to rise into stardom in 2010. At the time, he starred in the hit period drama Sungkyunkwan Scandal. He found even more success the next year with the film Punch.

Over the next few years, Ah In would star in many more hit TV series and films. He found massive success and acclaimed performances.

Some of his most notable works can be seen in Secret Affair (2014), Veteran (2015), Burning (2018), #Alive (2020), and Voice of Silence (2020).

Profile

Real Name: Uhm Hong Sik (엄홍식)
Stage Name: Yoo Ah In (유아인)
Nickname: Kukmin Yeonha-nam (The Nation’s Younger Boyfriend)
Birthday: October 6, 1986
Birthplace: Daegu, South Korea
Zodiac Sign: Libra
Nationality: Korean
Religion: –
Profession: Actor
Education: Dankuk University and Konkuk University
Hobbies: –
Facebook: –
Twitter: @seeksik
Threads: –
Instagram: @hongsick
Tiktok: –
Youtube: –

Height, Weight, & Physical Appearance

Height: 179 cm (5’10″ 1/2)
Weight: 62 kg (136 lbs)
Blood Type: A
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Black
Body Measurements: 40-34-15 (Bust -40, Waist -34, and Hips -15 inches)
Shoe Size: 10 (US)

Family

Father: –
Mother: –
Brother: –
Sister: –

Boyfriend, Girlfriend, & Dating History

Song Hye Kyo

Before Song Hye Kyo was married to Song Joong Ki, there were actually rumors that she used to date Yoo Ah In.

The rumors emerged due to their closeness, which often were showcased on their respective social media page.

That being said, the pair denied the rumors and stated that their relationship is nothing more than close friends/sibling-like.

IU

In October 2022, an internet user shared an anonymous online post, claiming that they saw the actor and IU around Paris, France.

Around that time, he reportedly was visiting 2023 summer fashion show by Bottega Veneta, while IU was in Milan, Italy, to attend Gucci Fashion week, which means both of them were in Europe.

In the past, IU used to publicly express her admiration to the actor and admitted that she enjoy watching Sungkyunkwan Scandal in which he starred in.

In addition, he also used to pick her as his ideal type, saying that IU is “lovely and pretty.”

However, neither of them has ever acknowledged the rumors.

Choi Ha Neul

Throughout the years, there were rumors that the actor is actually gay.

The speculation surfaced for the first time when he shared a photo where he sat on a purple sofa and applied lip balm. According to internet users, the sofa was located inside a gay club.

The rumored boyfriend of Yoo Ah In is Choi Ha Neul, a sculptor who attended Seoul National University and Korea National University of Arts in the past.

Neither party has ever confirmed or clarified the dating speculations.

Net Worth

Multiple sources estimated his net worth to be around $5 million to $10 million. He appears to earn most of his income through working as an actor in the South Korean entertainment industry.

Charity

The actor has been involving himself in various philanthropist acts.

For examples, he donated 100 million won from the profit made by his clothing line, Newkids Nohant in 2015 to provide educational expenses and college tuition aids for college students.

He quietly made a donation help relief families of the sinking Sewol Ferry victims in 2014.

In 2016, he donated 40 million won in a form of museum tickets for unfortunate children.

Controversies

Drug Abuse

Yoo Ah In was investigated for propofol use in early 2023 by the police, who suspected him of receiving the drug ilegally from different doctors’ offices and clinics in Seoul since 2021.

Shortly after, it was announced that he’s tested negative for propofol, but positive for marijuana.

The news made the actor being dropped from various of his acting projects, including The Match and Goodbye Earth.

Further results were announced in the same month, revealing that he’s tested positive for propofol after a detailed hair analysis took place.

In the following month, the police announced that he was also tested positive of ketamine and cocaine.

Plastic Surgery

There is no known information on whether he has undergone any cosmetic surgery to alter his appearance.

Facts

Ah In is signed under United Artists Agency.
He grew up in Daegu.
He has two older sisters.
This actor moved to Seoul by himself at 15 years old.
He takes the stage name Yoo Ah In because the management thought his real name Uhm Hong Sik is too old-fashioned.
His stage name Ah In comes from the German word for one.
Before becoming an actor, he used to train to be an idol.
He was a pretty shy kid.
The man from Daegu is the founder and creative director of the art gallery Studio Concrete.
He supports the feminist.
He has admitted to be an LGBT supporter.
In 2015-2017, Ah In used to be the investor and business partner for TMI Fries & Bar.
He is known for his philanthropy works.
He likes cooking.
This Libra man works freelance as a writer.
He used to write poems and short story in his diary.
He was exempt from mandatory military service due to non-cancerous bone tumor.
This Burning actor has made many appearances in documentaries and variety shows.
He was in the music video for Only One by BoA, Footprints by T.O, and Starry Night by DJ Peggy Gou.
He is said to be one of the most diligent actors in his generation.
Ah In is also the most outspoken Korean actor, especially in political and social aspects.
He is in the video game Knights of Night.
His ideal type is someone who is attractive, calm, intelligent, feminine, and loyal. She also has to have ideas of modern women.
He has picked someone like Kim Tae Hee as his ideal type.

Movies

The Match (2023), as Lee Chang Ho
Seoul Vibe (2022), as Park Dong Wook
Voice of Silence (2020), as Tae In
#Alive (2020), as Oh Joon Woo
Default (2018), as Yoon Jung Hak
Burning (2018), as Jong Soo
Like for Likes (2016), as No Jin Woo
The Throne (2015), as Crown Prince Sado
Veteran (2015), as Jo Tae Oh (man from wealthy family)
Thread of Lies (2014), as Choo Sang Bak
The Satellite Girl and Milk Cow (2014), as voice
Tough As Iron (2013), as Gang Chul
Punch (2011), as Doh Won Deuk
Sky and Ocean (2009), as Jin Goo
Antique (2008), as Yang Ki Bum
Boys of Tomorrow (2007), as Jeon Jong Dae
Skeletons In The Closet (2007), as Shim Yong Tae

Drama Series

Goodbye Earth (Netflix | 2023), as Ha Yoon Sang
Hellbound (Netflix | 2021), as Jung Jin Soo
Chicago Typewriter (tvN | 2017), as Han Se Joo
Descendants of the Sun (KBS2 | 2016), as Bank Clerk Uhm Hong Sik (ep.13)
The Roots of Throne (SBS | 2015-2016), as Lee Bang Won
Discovery of Love (KBS2 | 2014), as client of Yeo Reum’s carpenter shop (ep.16)
Secret Affair (JTBC | 2014), as Lee Sun Jae
Jang Ok Jung (SBS | 2013), as Lee Soon
Fashion King (SBS | 2012), as Kang Young Gul
Sungkyunkwan Scandal (KBS2 | 2010), as Moon Jae Sin
He Who Can’t Marry (KBS2 | 2009), as Park Hyeon Kyu
Chilwu, the Mighty (KBS2 | 2008), as Hook San
April Kiss (KBS2 | 2004), as 16-year-old Kang Jae-sup
Sharp 1 (2003), as Yoo Ah In

TV Shows

Do-ol Ah-in Going All Directions (KBS1 ⏐ 2019), as himself (Host, co-writer, co-producer)
Eyewitnesses of Syria (CBS Mornings ⏐ 2018), as himself (narrator)
June Story (2017), as himself (narrator)
Wan-deuk Who Wants to Fly (KBS1 ⏐ 2014), as himself (narrator)
Yoo Ah-in’s Launch My Life (Mnet ⏐ 2011), as himself (cast, music curator)

Music Video Appearances

자유 (Jayu) (2021) – Se So Neon
Starry Night (2019) – DJ Peggy Gou
ㅎㅎㅎ (Heung-boo) (2016) – DJ Peggy Gou
Only One (2012) – BoA
Footprints (2004) – T.O

Quotes

“I believe the smartest move, as an actor, is not to be so self-conscious. Acting in Korea and overseas will not, and cannot, be that different. Instead of dwelling too much on the recent success, staying humble and calmly focusing on the next project might be a good move to make at the moment.”

“I don’t have to define the trophies that have passed my hand in any way. I hope they become my strength rather than a burden.”

“It’s the movie Burning [that made Yoo Ah In who he is now]. It’s a movie that created a new responsibility and will for me to continue my job as an actor. In some ways, I even think that it’s a movie that gave me a new life.

“I want to learn carpentry and furniture design. I’ve always been curious about ways to permeate into other people’s lives other than acting.”

“As much as I try to maintain a young mindset, I would love to see younger actors take up the stage and become the new icons for the youth.”

“When I was younger, there was a part of me that thought western culture is cooler than our own culture. Now, I understand that there is no such thing as a superior or inferior culture. I try to focus more on finding the beauty itself within each culture.”

“In the past, I wanted to experiment with roles and take up challenges. Now, I’m more careful with my next steps because I feel a greater sense of responsibility. I feel like Yoo Ah-in is made up of many people’s efforts, so I try to be careful about how I portray myself.”