Yeo Jin-goo
Yeo Jin Goo yeo jin goo yeo jin goo

Yeo Jin-goo

여진구
  • Korean Name:여진구
  • Birthday:August 13, 1997
  • Nationality:Korean
  • Zodiac Sign:Leo
  • Height:176cm
  • Weight:67kg
  • MBTI Type:ENTJ
  • Blood Type:O
  • Occupation:Actor
  • Years Active:2005-present
  • Agency:J-Full Entertainment
  • Education:Chung-Ang University College of Arts (Department of Performing Arts and Video Creation, Theater Major)
  • SNS: @yeojin9oo

Biography

Yeo Jin-goo (born August 13, 1997) is a prominent South Korean actor who began his career as a child and successfully transitioned into leading roles across film, television, and theater. Known for his deep voice, mature screen presence, and emotional acting, Yeo is one of the most versatile actors of his generation.

Early Life and Career Beginnings (2005–2011)

Yeo debuted at the age of eight in the 2005 film Sad Movie, beating out over 150 candidates for the role despite having no prior acting experience. He quickly established himself with roles in the drama I Want to Love (2006) and his first historical drama Yeon Gaesomun. In 2008, he played younger versions of main characters in Iljimae and Tazza, earning his first Best Child Actor award at the SBS Drama Awards.

Yeo Jin Goo

By 2010, with a key role in Giant, Yeo began immersing himself seriously in acting. In 2011, he appeared in Warrior Baek Dong-soo and briefly in Deep Rooted Tree, after actor Jang Hyuk personally requested him for a cameo.

Rise to Popularity (2012–2014)

In 2012, Yeo’s role as the young crown prince in Moon Embracing the Sun brought him widespread fame. The drama achieved national status with over 40% viewership. Later that year, he starred in Missing You, further solidifying his reputation and winning Best Young Actor at the MBC Drama Awards.

yeo jin goo kim so hyun
yeo jin goo kim yoo jung thumbnail
yeo jin goo kim yoo jung
yeo jin goo kim yoo jung

In 2013, Yeo took on his first leading film role in Hwayi: A Monster Boy, a psychological thriller. His powerful performance earned him multiple Best New Actor awards, including the Blue Dragon Film Award, making him the youngest male recipient in the award’s history at age 16. He also starred in the sitcom Potato Star 2013QR3 as a young app developer.

Transition to Lead Roles (2015–2019)

Yeo starred in Shoot Me in the Heart (2015), based on the bestselling novel, and in his first lead TV role in Orange Marmalade, a teen vampire drama. The same year, he appeared in the war film The Long Way Home, where veteran actor Sol Kyung-gu only joined the cast after Yeo was confirmed. In 2016, Yeo played King Yeongjo in The Royal Gambler and won an Excellence Award at the SBS Drama Awards.

Shoot Me in the Heart Yeo Jin-goo
Shoot Me in the Heart

He followed with the sci-fi thriller Circle and historical film Warriors of the Dawn in 2017. Later that year, he headlined Reunited Worlds, a fantasy-romance series. In 2018, he filmed the romantic comedy My Absolute Boyfriend, which aired in 2019. Yeo received critical acclaim for his dual-role performance as a clown and a king in The Crowned Clown (2019), earning a Best Actor nomination at the 55th Baeksang Arts Awards.

He then starred opposite IU in Hotel del Luna, a massive commercial hit and cultural phenomenon.

Recent Work and Continued Growth (2020–Present)

In 2020, Yeo made a special voice appearance as an AI in Start-Up and a cameo in its final episode. In 2021, he co-starred in Beyond Evil with Shin Ha-kyun, a dark thriller that earned critical acclaim. That same year, he became the MC for Mnet’s survival show Girls Planet 999.

In 2022, he returned with the fantasy-romance Link: Eat, Love, Kill, playing a sous chef who shares emotions with a mysterious woman. Later, he starred in the film Ditto, a remake of the 2000 classic. In 2023, Yeo signed with J-Full Entertainment, signaling a new phase in his career.

Link: Eat, Love, Kill

In 2024, Yeo challenged himself with his first-ever antagonist role in Hijack 1971, a disaster film based on a real-life airplane hijacking incident during a tense period in inter-Korean relations. He portrayed a North Korean hijacker, earning praise for his chilling transformation. In an interview with The Straits Times, Yeo admitted his initial doubts but credited co-stars Ha Jung-woo and Sung Dong-il for helping him immerse in the complex role.

Yeo Jin-goo

Yeo Jin-goo is known for his ability to portray emotionally intense characters, often exploring complex psychological or historical themes. With a career spanning nearly two decades, he is lauded for his consistent performance quality and professionalism. From child prodigy to leading man, Yeo continues to push boundaries and evolve with each new role.

Fun Facts

  1. Despite appearing mature and calm due to working with older actors from a young age, Yeo is actually playful and cheerful in real life. His bubbly personality shines especially when filming with peers around his age.
  2. He prefers pouring sauce over sweet-and-sour pork ("bukkeok" style) and is a proud member of the mint chocolate fandom.
  3. He loves Hawaiian pizza, even adding pineapple topping three times when ordering.
  4. His ideal type is someone who eats well, is full of aegyo (cuteness), shares mutual love, and can accept and embrace each other’s flaws.
  5. His dream romantic date includes spending relaxing time together at the park, chatting, or being on a terrace with an ocean view.
  6. Yeo is a skilled cook and a big foodie. When asked what he’d be if not an actor, he immediately said chef. He has showcased his cooking talent on variety shows like “Street Food Fighter” and “House on Wheels.”
  7. He's afraid of insects.
  8. He enjoys listening to old songs that came out before he was born.
  9. Given a choice: he picks soju over beer, mul-naengmyeon (cold broth noodles) over bibim-naengmyeon (spicy noodles), and winter over summer, as he is sensitive to heat.
  10. Known for keeping his scripts very clean and neat, he dislikes writing on them. These days, he prefers reading scripts on his phone during filming.
  11. Many people say he resembles actor Kim Min-jae, especially because both have similar low, deep voices.
  12. Though he started acting young, he has maintained a clean public image with no major controversies and is known for his strict self-discipline and model behavior.
  13. He is close friends with Jungkook from BTS (also born in 1997); they’ve sent each other coffee trucks to show support.
  14. He was a top 50 student in his middle school class, though his grades declined in high school. Initially planning to major in something else, he later chose to study theater and film in college.
  15. He’s a longtime fan of the LG Twins baseball team and threw the first pitch in 2012 and again on May 30, 2023.