Get to Know Steven Yeun, the Oscars’ First Asian-American Best Actor Nominee
Mar 18, 2021 • Ina Louise Manto
This year’s nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards in April and 2020 film Minari just had six nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Original Score. The film features a Korean American family that moves to a farm in Arkansas, trying to live the American dream. It portrays the struggles and challenges of a foreign family adjusting to an unfamiliar place. The film had previously won a Golden Globe award for Best Foreign Language Film and made history with this year’s Oscar nominations.
Steven Yeun, who plays the main character Jacob in the film, is the first Asian-American to be nominated for Best Actor. Given the Academy’s less than stellar history in recognizing Asian and Asian-American talent, this Oscar nomination is truly one for the books. If you fell in love with Jacob’s role in Minari, it’s time you get to know the actor behind this role:
He’s a first-generation immigrant from South Korea
academy award nominee steven yeun pic.twitter.com/kA1hv2tiDf
— lucy (@heylucymay) March 15, 2021
Steven Yeun was born on December 21, 1983, in Seoul, South Korea. His real name is Yeun Sang-Yeop and he can also speak Korean. When he was four, his family moved from Seoul to Canada and eventually settled in Michigan.
He has a degree in psychology
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Steven went to Kalamazoo College in Michigan to earn his degree in psychology focusing on neuroscience. When he was a sophomore, he joined his college’s improv group. He graduated in 2005, and though his degree set the foundation for a career in medicine or law, Steven decided to pursue acting instead. His parents were initially unhappy with his decision, but they were supportive and gave him two years to pursue acting. Fortunately, he landed a big role after his second audition in L.A. — more on that in the next item.
You may know him from The Walking Dead
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If you’re a fan of The Walking Dead, you’ve probably already seen Steven there – he played Glean Rhee from 2010 to 2016. Since its premiere in 2010, The Walking Dead has become the highest-rated series in cable television history.
He was a voice actor for video games
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Before he landed roles on television, Steven Yeun lent his voice in different video games such as Warhead in 2008, where he played a Korean soldier. He also voiced another Korean soldier in the game Crysis in 2007 and is also known for his voice acting work for Voltron: Legendary Defender, where he plays Keith, the leader of Voltron.
He’s a father of two
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Yup, that’s your celeb crushie dreams with Steven Yeun going down the drain. He’s already married and has two adorable children! Steven met his wife Joana Pak long before he got his role in The Walking Dead. He was a bartender then, and the couple tied the knot in 2016. They welcomed their firstborn Jude Malcolm in 2017 and a daughter in 2019.
He was in The Big Bang Theory
Apart from his iconic role in The Walking Dead, Steven had previous guest roles in other shows like American Dad!, Law & Order: LA, and The Big Bang Theory. He appeared briefly in TBBT’s Season 3, Episode 22, where he had an elevator interaction with Leonard.
He was in Bong Joon Ho’s Okja
If you’ve been obsessed with Bong Joon Ho’s other films after seeing the Oscar-winning film Parasite, you’ve probably already seen his 2017 Netflix film Okja. If not, you now have one more reason to see this great film because Steven Yeun appeared in it alongside other actors like Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Lily Collins. Steven played the Korean-English translator “K” in the film.
He can sing!
What can’t this guy do? Apparently, Steven can play the guitar and sing. Growing up, he used to play music at church and would often jam with his friends. Will he pursue music in the future? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Have you seen Minari? Tell us what you thought of the film in the comments below!
