Steven Yeun
A trailblazing actor who shattered Hollywood's ceiling, becoming the first Asian American nominated for the Best Actor Oscar for his gentle performance in 'Minari'.
Born 1983 (age 43)·South Korean and American actor·Birthday: December 21·Millennials
Biography
Steven Yeun's journey is a profound narrative of expansion, from a beloved zombie-apocalypse heartthrob to one of the most respected actors of his generation. Born in South Korea and raised in the United States, he initially faced the limited roles offered to Asian actors. His breakthrough as Glenn Rhee on 'The Walking Dead' made him a fan favorite, but Yeun hungered for more complex terrain. He deliberately stepped away from that fame, choosing daring independent films like the psychologically simmering 'Burning.' His transformative moment came with 'Minari,' a tender film about a Korean immigrant family. As the father, Jacob, Yeun conveyed a universe of hope, pressure, and love with breathtaking subtlety, earning an Oscar nomination that made history. He further defied categorization by co-producing and starring in the rage-fueled, critically adored series 'Beef,' showcasing a volatile darkness far from his earlier roles. Yeun moves with a quiet purpose, consistently choosing projects that challenge both himself and the industry's expectations.
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.
Steven was born in 1983, 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 Steven Was Born
The biggest hits of 1983
#1 Movie
Return of the Jedi
Best Picture
Terms of Endearment
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Steven's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1983Born
Internet adopts TCP/IP, creating the modern internet
Gas: $1.16/galHome: $57,700Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Every Breath You Take" — The PoliceBest Picture: Terms of Endearment
1988Started school
Pan Am Flight 103 bombed over Lockerbie
Gas: $0.90/galHome: $74,800Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Faith" — George MichaelBest Picture: Rain Man
1996Became a teenager
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
1999Could drive
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2001Could vote
September 11 attacks transform the world
Gas: $1.46/galHome: $126,400Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Hanging by a Moment" — LifehouseBest Picture: A Beautiful Mind
2004Turned 21
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2013Turned 30
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2023Turned 40
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 43 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Became the first Asian American actor ever nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in 'Minari'.
- Won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series for the Netflix series 'Beef'.
- Received widespread critical acclaim for his supporting role in the South Korean psychological thriller 'Burning'.
- Named one of Time magazine's 100 most influential people in the world in 2021.
Did You Know?
He graduated from Kalamazoo College with a degree in Psychology with a concentration in Neuroscience.
Before acting, he was a pre-med student and also worked as a client coordinator for a talent agency.
He is a voice actor, notably playing Speckle in the adult animated series 'Tuca & Bertie'.
He and his 'Walking Dead' co-star Lauren Cohan shared a birthday and often celebrated together on set.
““The idea of having to be a symbol for a whole group of people is a weird one, because no one can bear that.””
