Yoo Yeon-seok
Personal details
  • Born:
    • Birthday: 1984-04-11
    • Born Place: Seoul, South Korea
  • Also Known As:

    유연석, Yu Yeon-seok, Yeon-Seok Yoo, 柳演錫, یو یون سوک

Yoo Yeon-seok

Yoo Yeon-seok, born Ahn Yeon-seok on April 11, 1984, in Seoul, South Korea, is a highly respected and versatile actor known for his ability to seamlessly transition between leading man roles in romantic melodramas and complex supporting characters in acclaimed films. He made his acting debut in 2003 with a small but memorable role as the younger version of Yoo Ji-tae's villainous character in Park Chan-wook's international masterpiece, Oldboy. After completing his mandatory military service and graduating with a degree in Film Arts from Sejong University, he resumed his career in 2008 and began using the stage name Yoo Yeon-seok. He gained initial recognition for playing the spoiled antagonist in commercial hits like Architecture 101 (2012) and A Werewolf Boy (2012) before achieving mainstream popularity and a breakout role as the kind baseball pitcher "Chilbong" in the nostalgic 2013 television drama Reply 1994.His most notable television roles include the conflicted doctor Kang Dong-joo in Dr. Romantic (2016), the tragic, complex samurai Gu Dong-mae in the historical epic Mr. Sunshine (2018), and the beloved, soft-hearted pediatric surgeon Ahn Jeong-won in the smash-hit medical drama Hospital Playlist (2020–2021). Beyond dramas, he has appeared in films like The Royal Tailor (2014) and the Netflix series Narco-Saints (2022). Yoo is also active in musical theater, taking on lead roles in productions such as Hedwig and the Angry Inch and Werther. His more recent projects include the hit thriller drama When the Phone Rings (2024-2025) and a cameo reprisal in Dr. Romantic 3 (2023), further showcasing his enduring popularity and wide-ranging talent. He is also noted for his philanthropic efforts and appearances in popular reality shows like Youth Over Flowers and Coffee Friends.

Person History