But Yoo is best known as a regular in the films of auteurHong Sang-soo.[12] He headlined The Day He Arrives in 2011, which netted him the Best Actor prize at the Busan Film Critics Awards.[13][14] He also starred in Ha Ha Ha, which won the top prize in the Un Certain Regard section of the 2010 Cannes Film Festival, at which Yoo and his fellow cast members walked the red carpet.[15] When asked to describe the actor, Hong said that "Yoo is... a kind person."[16] [...] I just... like him. I like him a lot. He is someone with a drive that doesn't irritate me. His honesty doesn't irritate me either and I like his energy. His energy has a clean color. And I think he's a lot of help when we work together."[17] The director cast him opposite renowned French actress Isabelle Huppert in Hong's first English-language film In Another Country. He described Huppert as "a real joy" to work with,[18] while she praised him as "kind and charismatic."[19] Yoo was singled out in The Hollywood Reporter review as the film's scene-stealer.[20]
After a five-year absence from television, he returned in the series My Husband Got a Family (also known as Unexpected You) co-starring Kim Nam-joo. The drama was a big hit, it not only consistently topped its timeslot throughout its long run, but ranked number one on the 2012 yearly TV ratings chart.[21][22] As a result, Yoo enjoyed his biggest surge of mainstream popularity since his debut, landing commercial contracts and gaining the nickname "Nation's son-in-law".[23]
In 2012, he published his memoir titled The Invention of Happiness. Yoo said he began writing diaries back in university when his professor recommended that he try filling up at least one journal each year with personal reflections. The book contained highlights from his 20 years of journaling life—from his days as a college student, moments on the set of several productions to his travels and vacations—as well as poems and sketches made by the actor in his everyday life.[1][19] He donated all of the proceeds from the book to charity, especially to impoverished children.[24]
For the aerial action blockbuster R2B: Return to Base, Yoo along with the rest of the cast had to undergo months-long physical training for their role as jet fighter pilots. The actors also had to pass mandatory tests for actual pilots to be able to get into the cockpit—in a low-pressure chamber, emergency escape routine, simulated flight as well as training to develop tolerance for acceleration. Yoo reportedly passed out twice before he passed his 6G test, only passing on his third attempt.[25][26][27]
Yoo underwent knee surgery after an injury to his cruciate ligament while filming Fists of Legend. The action movie revolved around a group of middle-aged men who fight on a reality show for a cash prize.[28] On December 19, 2013, he released his first album, titled Junes; besides singing, Yoo composed, wrote the lyrics and produced all the seven songs included.[29] Yoo's second album, J N Joy 20: Travel Project One, Just Travel... Walking... and Thinking..., was a collaboration with guitarist Lee Jun-hwa and released on November 13, 2014, followed by his first concert.[30][31]
Personal life
Besides acting, singing and writing, Yoo can also play several musical instruments including guitar, saxophone, violin and the piano.[10] Furthermore, he showcased 20 pieces of his artwork at the Art Asia fair in December 2012.[32]
He married actress Hong Eun-hee in 2003, and they have two sons named Yoo Dong-woo and Yoo Min-jae.[33][34] Dong-woo appeared in the 2011 short film Modern Family.[35]
On the talk show Healing Camp, he spoke about his love for his widowed mother, who suffered a cerebral hemorrhagic stroke in 2011.[36]
^Lee, Claire (January 20, 2013). "The Making of Rebecca". The Korea Herald. Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
^Kwon, Mee-yoo (February 21, 2013). "Emptying nostalgia's vault". The Korea Times. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2013.
^ abSunwoo, Carla (May 24, 2012). "Yu Jun-sang publishes his diary". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved November 18, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^Sunwoo, Carla (December 14, 2012). "Yu Jun-sang showcases art work". Korea JoongAng Daily. Archived from the original on January 26, 2013. Retrieved December 14, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
^Kang Hyo-jin (September 13, 2022). "[단독]유준상, '정직한 후보2' 뜬다...특급 카메오 활약" [[Exclusive] Jun-sang Yoo, 'Honest Candidate 2' appears... Super cameo performance] (in Korean). spoTV News. Archived from the original on October 27, 2022. Retrieved September 13, 2022 – via Naver.
^Bae Hyo-joo (September 5, 2022). "삼례 나라슈퍼 사건 영화 '소년들' 27회 부산국제영화제서 공개[공식]" [Samrye Nara Super Incident movie 'Boys' released at the 27th Busan International Film Festival [Official]]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Archived from the original on September 5, 2022. Retrieved September 5, 2022.
^Moon Ji-yeon (March 3, 2022). "[공식] 이재욱·정소민·황민현→유준상·오나라, 홍자매 '환혼' 만난다" [[Official] Jae-wook Lee, So-min Jeong, Min-hyun Hwang → Jun-sang Yoo, Nara Oh, Meet the Hong Sisters 'Welcome'] (in Korean). Sports Chosun. Archived from the original on March 3, 2022. Retrieved March 3, 2022 – via Naver.
^Yoo Jung-min (April 26, 2023). "유준상, '여행을 대신해 드립니다' 출연 확정...공승연과 호흡" [Yoo Jun-sang confirmed to appear in 'We will replace your trip'... Breathing with Gong Seungyeon] (in Korean). MBC Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 26, 2023. Retrieved April 26, 2023.
^"유준상-이건명-오종혁-지창욱, 뮤지컬 '그날들' 캐스팅" [Yoo Jun-sang - Lee Gun-myung - Oh Jong-hyuk - Ji Chang-wook, casting the musical 'Those Days']. 뉴스컬처 (NEWSCULTURE) (in Korean). August 25, 2014. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^"[2014–2015] 역대 자료관" [[2014–2015] Those Days]. insightent.co.kr. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^"뮤지컬 '그날들' 故김광석 20주기 추모 위해 28일 '리멤버런스 데이' 개최" ['Remembrance Day' will be held on the 28th to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the musical 'Those Days'.]. 뉴스컬처 (NEWSCULTURE) (in Korean). October 26, 2016. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^"더뮤지컬 — 그날들 2017" [The Musical — The Days 2017]. www.themusical.co.kr. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^"뮤지컬 '그날들', 관객이 직접 선정한 메인포스터&캐스팅 라인업 공개" [Musical 'Those Days', the main poster & casting lineup selected by the audience is released]. 문화뉴스 (in Korean). October 29, 2018. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^"[NC리뷰]이유 있는 시간여행, 20년 전 '그날'을 찾아…뮤지컬 '그날들'" [[NC Review] Time travel with a reason, looking for 'That Day' 20 years ago... Musical 'Those Days']. 뉴스컬처 (NEWSCULTURE) (in Korean). March 14, 2019. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^"창작 뮤지컬 '그날들', 역대급 출연진으로 10주년 기념 공연 예고 - 뉴스테이지" [Creative musical 'Those Days' announces 10th anniversary performance with all-time cast - Newstage]. www.newstage.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
^Kim, Ga-young (September 3, 2022). "배우 유준상, '박경리문학상' 홍보대사 위촉...드라마 '토지' 인연" [Actor Yoo Jun-sang appointed as a public relations ambassador for the 'Park Kyung-ri Literary Award'... Drama 'Land] (in Korean). Edaily. Archived from the original on September 3, 2022. Retrieved September 3, 2022 – via Naver.
