Yoo Ji-tae

Yoo Ji-tae
Born (1976-04-13) April 13, 1976
Seoul, South Korea
Education

Chung-Ang University Graduate School of Advanced Imaging Science, Multimedia & Film

Catholic University of Korea Graduate School of Social Work
Occupation
  • Actor
  • film director
  • screenwriter
Years active 1998–present
Agent
Spouse(s)
Kim Hyo-jin (m. 2011)
Children 1
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised Romanization Yu Ji-tae
McCune–Reischauer Yu Jit‘ae
Website http://www.yoomovie.com/

Yoo Ji-tae (born April 13, 1976) is a South Korean actor, film director and screenwriter. After a stint as a fashion model, Yoo launched his acting career in 1998 then rose to fame through the films Attack the Gas Station (1999) and Ditto (2000). In the succeeding years, he gained acting recognition by working with acclaimed directors such as Hur Jin-ho in One Fine Spring Day (2001), Park Chan-wook in Oldboy (2003), and Hong Sang-soo in Woman is the Future of Man (2004). Yoo began directing short films in 2003, which were well received in the film festival circuit. His feature directorial debut Mai Ratima was released in 2013.

Career

Yoo Ji-tae began his career as a fashion model, and he walked the runway for the Seoul Fashion Artist Association collections in 1995. Then in 2000, with a series of hit films and widely seen TV appearances, Yoo was more constantly in the limelight than any other actor, and in a very short time, rose to become a major actor in Korean film.[1]

His first brush with fame came in the role of "Paint" in his second feature, the 1999 hit Attack the Gas Station. His sensitive and artistic image in this film and the warm character he displayed as a guest on TV talk shows helped to propel him to stardom. With the surprise success of his third film Ditto in spring 2000, Yoo's star status was secured. He also appeared in the successful firefighting film Libera Me. In this early part of his career, he was known particularly for the wild colors that he would dye his hair (white in Attack the Gas Station, blue in Ditto, blonde in Libera Me).[1]

In 2001, however, he dyed his hair black and took on a more subdued, serious role in Hur Jin-ho's One Fine Spring Day. Although it wasn't a big hit with audiences, his performance in this film opened many critics' eyes and drew widespread praise, while officially launching the second stage of his career.[1]

For the next two years, Yoo didn't appear in any new films, because Natural City took an unusually long time to progress from shooting to a commercial release. He then appeared in three works in 2003: Natural City (which bombed, despite its big budget and special effects), the horror/suspense film Into the Mirror, and Park Chan-wook's acclaimed Oldboy. Yoo's memorable role in the latter film as a wealthy eccentric fixated on revenge would make his face well known to international audiences.[1]

As Yoo's career established itself he began to appear in many high-profile projects, such as in well-known arthouse director Hong Sang-soo's Woman is the Future of Man (which, like Oldboy, screened at Cannes in 2004);[2] Yim Pil-sung's big-budget Antarctic Journal, shot in New Zealand;[3] and the action/noir Running Wild with Kwon Sang-woo.[1][4] He also established his own production company Yoo Movie in 2005.

As soon as he finished shooting the 2007 period film Hwang Jin-yi about a Joseon-era gisaeng,[5] Yoo chose to act in the play Come to the Ghost House. A graduate of Dankook University with a major in Theater and Film, he also established a theater to put on one play a year. Almost all the money for the theatrical productions comes from his own wallet. "I work on stage because it's there that I find the challenge and the stimulus an actor needs through continuous creative work," he said.[6]

Yoo returned to the screen with 2008 romantic drama film, Hello, Schoolgirl, based on the manhwa Soonjeong Manwha.[7]

In 2009 he lent his voice as narrator for the track "I’m Sorry" (미안해) in K-pop singer Jinju's album Pearlfect.[8]

Yoo then returned to the melodrama genre, starring in his first TV drama Star's Lover opposite Choi Ji-woo,[9][10] as well as a couple of romance-themed films, notably Secret Love which reunited him with Oldboy costar Yoon Jin-seo.[11] Afterwards he played another villain in the real-time suspense thriller Midnight FM.[12][13]

After getting his master's degree in 2008 from Chung-Ang University's Graduate School of Advanced Imaging Science, Multimedia & Film, in recent years Yoo has focused more on his passion for directing. To him, "Making films is like taking drugs. Actors feel a pleasure when they deliver well but directors feel they have poured out everything they have in the sole fact that they have completed a movie. It's impossible to compare the pleasure you get from it."[14] He has helmed a number of award-winning short films that have screened in festivals around the world.[15] In addition to directing his fourth short film Invitation, Yoo wrote the script and plays the main character alongside leading lady Uhm Ji-won.[16]

In 2012, Yoo directed his first feature film Mai Ratima, based on a synopsis he wrote 15 years ago in college.[17] It portrays the unlikely love affair of a Korean man in his 30s living on the bottom rung of society and a mail-order bride from Thailand in her 20s.[18][19][20] Shooting began in Gyeonggi Province on January 26, 2012,[21][22] and it premiered at the Busan International Film Festival on October 5, 2012.[23] Yoo said he plans to continue producing or directing movies based on strong social issues as he is interested in the plight of the less privileged.[24][25] Mai Ratima won the Jury Prize at the 2013 Deauville Asian Film Festival.[26][27][28]

He then co-starred with Kōichi Satō and Vincent Gallo in Junji Sakamoto's 2013 suspense thriller Human Trust.[29]

For the biopic The Tenor - Lirico Spinto, Yoo practiced singing for four hours everyday for more than a year, and took private English and Japanese lessons to portray Bae Jae-chul, an internationally acclaimed tenor who loses his voice to thyroid cancer.[30][31] Afterwards, he starred in another TV series Healer, written by Song Ji-na.[32]

In 2016, Yoo starred in the bowling-themed film, Split.[33] He returned to television in the South Korean remake of The Good Wife.[34]

In 2017, Yoo starred in The Swindlers along with Hyun Bin. The movie is about a prosecutor who plans to catch a con man who has swindled a large sum of money.[35][36] The same year, he was cast in the Danish film The House That Jack Built by Lars Von Trier.[37] He also had a starring role in the crime drama, Mad Dog.[38]

In January 2018, Yoo signed with new management agency BH Entertainment.[39]

In 2019, Yoo is set to star in the espionage melodrama Different Dream.[40]

Personal life

Yoo was raised by a single parent. "My mother, who worked as a nurse for a long time, wants to run a hospital for the elderly someday. I want to financially help her realize her dream, and then establish an orphanage," said Yoo.[41] He is friends with comedian Kim Joon-ho, having lived together as roommates during college and briefly acting together onstage.

Currently a student at the Catholic University of Korea Graduate School of Social Work, Yoo is very active in philanthropic efforts. He joins charity photo shoots and auctions,[42][43] has helped set up a kindergarten in Nepal,[44] has donated to Haiti earthquake relief,[45] has donated funds for building schools in Myanmar, has joined a charity photo shoot to benefit victims of facial burns,[43] has volunteered in a campaign to deliver free lunches to underprivileged people,[46] has promoted the adoption of abandoned dogs, and has campaigned against domestic violence towards migrant wives.[47] His advocacies are World Vision, Compassion Korea, DAIL Community, Social Welfare Society Inc., YWCA of Korea,[48] Nanum House of Sharing and Korean Association of Cinematheques.[49]

Yoo first met actress Kim Hyo-jin in 2003 when they were models for a clothing brand, and the two became friends after continuously meeting in photo shoots. Their romantic relationship began in 2006, and they were among the very few Korean star couples who openly admitted their dating status.[50] They announced their engagement in August 2011,[51][52][53][54][55] and subsequently released pre-wedding photos.[56][57] Their minimalist invitation was made from environmentally friendly paper and had the number 1,825 written on it, the exact amount of the days the two had spent together as a couple.[58][59] They were married at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on December 2, 2011.[60][61][62] The wedding date marked the couple's fifth anniversary together and was booked by Yoo one year in advance despite landing on a Friday – an unusual day for a wedding.[59] The ceremony was officiated by the president of World Vision Korea; Yoo and Kim are the organization's honorary ambassadors,[63] and they donated a portion of their monetary wedding gifts to World Vision to help build a primary and middle school in Myanmar.[64][65][66] Their first child, a son, was born on July 5, 2014.[67]

Filmography

As actor

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1998Bye JuneDo-gi
1999Attack the Gas StationPaint
200001412 Sect of the Magic SwordMa-ko
DittoJi In
NightmareHyun-jun
Libera MeKim Hyun-tae
2001MOB 2025K-oneShort film
One Fine Spring DaySang-woo
2003Wonderful DaysVoice
Into the MirrorWoo Young-min
Natural CityR
OldboyLee Woo-jin
2004Woman is the Future of ManLee Moon-ho
2005Antarctic JournalKim Min-jae
Sympathy for Lady VengeanceWon-mo (adult)Cameo
2006Running WildOh Jin-woo
Three FellasLee Chi-sooCameo
Traces of LoveHyun-woo
2007Hwang Jin-yiNo-mi
2008Hello, SchoolgirlKim Yeon-woo
2009InvitationShort film
2010Secret LoveJin-woo / Jin-ho
Midnight FMHan Dong-su
Star of Hope: Ikhwezi Le ThembaDocumentary
2013Human TrustOsamu Endo
2014The Tenor - Lirico SpintoBae Jae-chul
2016SplitChul-jong
The Great ActorCameo
Old DaysHimselfDocumentary
2017The SwindlersPark Hee-soo
2018The House That Jack BuiltCameo
MoneyBeonhopyo

Television series

Year Title Role Notes
1999Love StorySegment "Lost Baggage"
2008–2009Star's LoverKim Chul-soo
2014–2015HealerKim Moon-ho
2016The Good WifeLee Tae-joon
2017Mad DogChoi Kang-woo
2019 Different Dream Kim Won-bong

As filmmaker

Year Title Role Notes
2003The Bike BoyDirectorShort film
2005How Does the Blind Dream?DirectorShort film
2008Out of My IntentionDirector, screenwriterShort film
2009InvitationDirectorShort film
2013Mai RatimaDirector, screenwriter
2017The Man Only I Can SeeDirector

Theater

  • Ha-il (2004)
  • Six Out of Six (2005)[68]
  • Come to the Ghost House... (2007)

Other activities

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominated work Result
1993현대무용시상식Grand PrizeN/AWon
1997Model Center New Model AwardsGrand PrizeN/AWon
1998Photographers' AssociationBest Model AwardN/AWon
199920th Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest New ActorAttack the Gas StationNominated
200021st Blue Dragon Film AwardsPopular Star AwardDittoWon
Best ActorNominated
8th Chunsa Film Art AwardsBest New ActorWon
1st Busan Film Critics AwardsBest New ActorWon
200138th Grand Bell AwardsBest New ActorNominated
22nd Blue Dragon Film AwardsBest ActorOne Fine Spring DayNominated
200320th Busan Asian Short Film FestivalAudience AwardThe Bike BoyWon
20064th Korea Fashion World AwardsBest Dressed (movie actor category)N/AWon
23rd Busan Asian Short Film FestivalFuji Film AwardHow Does the Blind Dream?Won
5th Korean Film AwardsBest Supporting ActorThree FellasNominated
20085th Short Shorts Film Festival & AsiaSpecial Contribution Award[79][80]Out of My IntentionWon
25th Korea Best Dresser Swan AwardsBest Dressed (movie actor category)N/AWon
20096th Seoul Women's Prize[81]N/AN/ARecipient
1st Korea Humanitarian AwardsSpecial PrizeN/ARecipient
2011Asia Model Festival AwardsAsia Special Award[82]N/AWon
1st Ministry of Health and WelfareMinister's Award[83]N/ARecipient
2013Deauville Asian Film FestivalJury Prize[84]Mai RatimaWon
201419th Chunsa Film AwardsBest New DirectorNominated
KBS Drama AwardsExcellence Award, Actor in a Mid-length DramaHealerNominated
201711th Cable TV Broadcasting AwardsBest Actor[85]The Good WifeWon
31st KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Mad Dog Nominated
Excellence Award, Best Actor (Mini Series) Nominated

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Actors and Actresses of Korean Cinema: Yoo Ji-tae". Koreanfilm.org. Retrieved 2012-09-25.
  2. "LA FEMME EST L'AVENIR DE L'HOMME". Cannes Film Festival.
  3. "[K-FILM REVIEWS] 남극일기 (Antarctic Journal)". Screen Anarchy. 15 August 2005.
  4. "야수 (Running Wild) Press Screening Report". Twitch Film. 4 January 2006.
  5. "Expensive drama stylish but miscast". Korea JoongAng Daily. 15 October 2007.
  6. "Screen Star Yoo Ji-tae Finds Creative Challenge in Theater". The Chosun Ilbo. 9 April 2007.
  7. "YOO Ji-tae and LEE Yeon-hee in romantic film". Korean Film Biz Zone. 6 November 2008.
  8. "진주 새 앨범 'Pearlfect', 유지태 내레이션 참여" [Yoo Ji-tae goes kpop (kinda)]. Asia Economy (in Korean). 19 November 2008.
  9. Oh, Jean (1 December 2008). "Mega drama duo signals hot winter". The Korea Herald.
  10. Han, Sang-hee (2 December 2008). "Celebrity's Sweetheart Knocks on Viewers Hearts". The Korea Times.
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  28. Conran, Pierce (12 March 2013). "MAI RATIMA Awarded Jury Prize at Deauville Asian Film Festival". Korean Film Council.
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  41. "Yoo Ji-tae: "My Dream is to Establish an Orphanage"". KBS Global. 2 May 2005.
  42. "Celebrities Donate Treasured Items to Charity Auction". The Chosun Ilbo. 5 January 2011.
  43. 1 2 "Celebrities Join Together To Raise Money For Facial Burn Victims". KBS World. 9 February 2012.
  44. 유지태, 오는 10월 네팔에 유치원 세운다 [Yoo Ji-tae sets up a kindergarten]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). May 29, 2009. Archived from the original on February 3, 2013.
  45. Lee, Hyo-won (1 January 2010). "Yoo Ji-tae Couple Donate 20 Million Won to Haiti". The Korea Times.
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  52. "Yoo Ji-tae, Kim Hyo-jin Decide to Finally Tie the Knot". The Chosun Ilbo. 22 August 2011.
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  54. Chung, Ah-young (22 August 2011). "Yoo, Kim to marry on Dec. 2". The Korea Times.
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  57. '결혼' 유지태·김효진, '완벽비주얼' 웨딩화보 [Yoo Ji Tae and Kim Hyo Jin reveal new pre-wedding photos]. Star News (in Korean). 1 December 2011.
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  67. Lee, Sun-min (7 July 2014). "Celebrity couple gives birth to son". Korea JoongAng Daily.
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  77. Lee, Hyo-won (20 September 2011). "DMZ Korean International Documentary Festival Opens Sept. 22". The Hollywood Reporter.
  78. "DMZ Docs 2011 closes with Tiniest Place top winner". Korean Film Council. 30 September 2011.
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  81. Han, Sang-hee (5 July 2009). "Actor Yoo to Receive Seoul Womens Prize". The Korea Times.
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  83. "Obligation of the Rich to Share, Richesse Oblige". Ministry of Health and Welfare. 8 March 2011.
  84. "Yoo Ji-tae wins Jury Prize at Deauville Asian Film Fest". The Korea Herald. 10 March 2013.
  85. "'Goblin' wins big at Korea Cable TV Awards Show, but not Gong Yoo". Yahoo. 11 March 2017.
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