Teo Yoo believes the past and future do not matter as much as the present.

Pictured above: Jacket, sweater all ZEGNA; Ring, Cartier

We all have a moment in our lives when something happened and changed its course forever. It could be a choice for some, fate for others — or even happenstance. For South Korean actor Teo Yoo, many would point to his breakout portrayal as Hae Sung in Celine Song’s directorial film debut Past Lives alongside Greta Lee and John Magaro, that altered his career trajectory — one for the better, lest we forget to mention. Prior to Past Lives, many would not have known of Yoo (we hold our hands up for falling into this category, too). However, for Yoo, that moment came very much earlier in his life.

Born and raised in Cologne, Germany, Yoo’s parents babysat him with a videotape of an animated film. “I was five years old, and my parents showed me Nobody’s Boy: Remi about a child performer in the streets of France and his master, Vitalis, based on Hector Malot’s 1978 novel Sans Famille,” recalled Yoo. “It showed me that acting is an honourable profession with the highest noble standards.” Yoo later enrolled in acting school, first at the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute, New York, and later at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London.

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“I don’t believe that there was one specific lesson that was dear to me,” said Yoo when we quizzed him about the biggest lessons he held close to him throughout his acting career. “I believe my work is an accumulation of the experiences I have had. But if there is one thing I’d say you cannot learn, it’s the obsession about the work and the never-ending curiosity.”

After working in various independent films and television shows over the years, a two-hour or so Zoom audition call with Song during the early COVID-19 years (2020, we suspect) landed Yoo the role of Hae Sung, which later culminated with him being nominated up to 13 times at various award ceremonies in the 2024 circuit. Yoo’s nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the BAFTA Awards was undoubtedly the most significant for him, though his nomination for the Independent Spirit Awards is a close second. For one, Yoo was amongst good company, being recognised at the BAFTA Awards for his work alongside fellow nominees such as Hollywood heavyweights Bradley Cooper, Colman Domingo, Paul Giamatti, Barry Keoghan and overwhelming favourite and winner Cillian Murphy, whom Yoo looks up to.

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“I was lucky enough to talk to Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy and congratulate them for their achievement (for Oppenheimer). Paul Giamatti, Sandra Hüller, Samantha Morton, Willem Dafoe and Justine Triet were amongst those I was happy to have talked to,” shared Yoo when we asked about the individuals he admires. “The BAFTA celebration was an amazing experience. I was able to meet a few colleagues whose work I greatly respect, and I made a few friends along the way.”

Looking at Yoo’s BAFTA nomination in a greater perspective, it was a big step forward for South Korean actors as he was the first ever South Korean male actor to be nominated as Best Actor in a Leading Role at the BAFTA Awards. “Being the first Korean male actor ever nominated for a BAFTA is a nice recognition. But my pride and my ambition don’t allow it to be my last. I hope I will be back soon,” Yoo said, showcasing what he has set his sights on in the future. 

In an interview about Yoo’s highlight of the awards season with The Hollywood Reporter at the 96th Academy Awards this year, the actor acknowledged and was grateful for the experience. “I’m from Europe, but my base is in South Korea. Breaking into the American market and getting introduced to American audiences with such a beautiful film is just a career trajectory that every actor can dream of. For that, I’m really grateful.”

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At the time of this interview, Yoo would have already wrapped up filming the second season of Netflix’s The Recruit. Though we have not heard any confirmation for other projects, there are great hopes for his future endeavours after the sparkling reviews of his portrayal of Hae Sung from fellow industry colleagues and critics alike. Curiously enough, Yoo could not pinpoint the project he enjoyed the most out of those under his belt. “It’s like asking if I have a favourite child. I would say the next one because I do wonder in which direction it will take my curiosity and what I will learn from it,” Yoo said.

Our time and interview with Yoo ended in all earnesty while the actor was in Singapore to attend The Glenrothes Timeless Artistry experience and to grace the Men’s Folio August 2024 digital cover. Given how time has such a pivotal role in not just whisky maturation but that of people, Yoo shared the greatest lesson time has taught him and how it has shaped him into the person that he is today.

“Being present is the most important thing. Time and experience have shown me that there isn’t a more important time than now. Sometimes, you’re stopped in your tracks, unable to do something because of certain past traumas or some fear about the future. You’re in your head in the past or future, totally forgetting that those are constructs that don’t exist. There is only here, and there is only now.”

Jacket, sweater, pants, all ZEGNA; Necklace, watch, ring, all Cartier

2024 started well for you as you were nominated for Best Actor in a Leading Role at the BAFTA this year. How did you feel being recognised for your work and nominated alongside some amazing actors?
The BAFTA celebration was an amazing experience. I was able to meet a few colleagues whose work I greatly respect, and I made a few friends along the way.

You were also the first ever South Korean male actor to be nominated for the BAFTA. That must have made it all the more special for you.
Being the first Korean male actor ever nominated for a BAFTA is a nice recognition. But my pride and my ambition don’t allow it to be my last. I hope I will be back soon.

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Was there anyone amongst the nominations whom you looked up to?
Definitely, Christopher Nolan and Cillian Murphy. I was lucky enough to talk to both of them and congratulate them for their achievement. Paul Giamatti, Sandra Hüller, Samantha Morton, Willem Dafoe and Justine Triet were amongst those I was happy to have talked to.

As a graduate of the Lee Strasberg Theater and Film Institute, New York and later the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, London, what was the most important lesson you hold close to your heart throughout your acting career?
I believe my work is an accumulation of the experiences I have had. But if there is one thing I’d say you cannot learn, it’s the obsession about the work and the never-ending curiosity.

As an actor, what qualities do you feel are the most crucial in capturing the essence of a character and the project?
Love and compassion.

How has being born and raised in Germany, getting your education in New York and then being later based in South Korea altered your perspective and outlook on life?
I believe I’ve become a much more understanding and flexible person. With age and experience comes wisdom.

Jacket, sweater all ZEGNA; Ring, Cartier

Which project did you enjoy the most, and which was the most challenging to work on?
It’s like asking if I have a favourite child. I would say the next one because I wonder in which direction it will take my curiosity and what I will learn from it. It’s always the next one.

One of the greatest qualities of whisky maturation is time. How different were you compared to your teenage days, and how has time shaped you into who you are today?
Time and experience have shown me that there isn’t a more important time than now. Sometimes, you’re stopped in your tracks, unable to do something because of certain past traumas or some fear about the future. You’re in your head in the past or future, totally forgetting that those are constructs that don’t exist. There is only here, and there is only now.

What is the greatest lesson time has taught you?
Being present is the most important thing.

Photography Zantz Han
Creative Direction & Styling Izwan Abdullah
Interview Asaph Low
Grooming Kim Do Hee | Soonsoo Beauty 
Hair Shin Su Hyeon | Kitts Hairmakeup
Production Agency Oh Seoyul | SY Production
Production Assistants Manfred Lu, Charmaine Tan
Fashion Coordinator Vanessa Grace Ng
Styling Assistant Laura Louis
Art Assistant Alexander Ng
Photography Assistant Michelle Yap