Jeon Yeo-been
A South Korean actress who commands the screen with a chameleonic intensity, moving seamlessly from arthouse despair to dark comedy and blockbuster romance.
Born 1989 (age 37)·South Korean actress·Birthday: July 26·Millennials
Biography
Jeon Yeo-been did not take a conventional path to stardom. She emerged not from a major network drama, but from the demanding world of independent cinema, where she earned immediate respect for her fearless performances. Her breakout in 'After My Death,' playing a student suspected in a classmate's suicide, announced an actor unafraid of psychological complexity. This foundation in raw, character-driven work gave her a formidable toolkit, which she then deployed to mainstream audiences with dazzling effect. Her role as the ruthless, tac-suited lawyer Hong Cha-young in the global hit 'Vincenzo' revealed a genius for sharp comedic timing and emotional whiplash. She possesses a rare ability to make eccentric characters feel utterly authentic, whether in the melancholic fantasy of 'A Time Called You' or the sleek action of 'Night in Paradise.' Jeon represents a new wave of Korean actors whose artistry is rooted in substance before fame.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jeon was born in 1989, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jeon Was Born
The biggest hits of 1989
#1 Movie
Batman
Best Picture
Driving Miss Daisy
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Jeon's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1989Born
Berlin Wall falls; Tiananmen Square protests
Gas: $1.00/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Look Away" — ChicagoBest Picture: Driving Miss Daisy
1994Started school
Nelson Mandela elected president of South Africa
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $90,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"The Sign" — Ace of BaseBest Picture: Forrest Gump
2002Became a teenager
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2005Could drive
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2007Could vote
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2010Turned 21
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2019Turned 30
First image of a black hole; Hong Kong protests
Gas: $2.60/galHome: $224,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Old Town Road" — Lil Nas XBest Picture: Parasite
2026Age 37 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the Actress of the Year award at the 22nd Busan International Film Festival for her leading role in 'After My Death' (2018).
- Her performance in 'Vincenzo' (2021) catapulted her to international fame and widespread critical praise.
- Starred in the Netflix original series 'A Time Called You' (2023), a remake of the popular Taiwanese drama 'Someday or One Day.'
- Received the Best New Actress award at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards for her role in 'Night in Paradise.'
Did You Know?
She studied Film and Theater at the Korea National University of Arts, a prestigious arts institution.
Before acting, she worked various part-time jobs, including as a waitress and a barista.
She is known to be very selective with her roles, often choosing projects based on the strength of the script and director.
“I want to be an actress who can show the many faces of humanity.”
