Steven Yeun brushes shoulders with Robert Pattinson in Mickey 17
Mickey 17 official trailer 2 starring Robert Pattinson
Steven Yeun has added another notch to his belt with a supporting role in Bong Joon-ho’s Mickey 17.
The science-fiction comedy, written and directed by the Oscar-winning filmmaker, has finally landed in cinemas. Its plot follows Mickey (played by Robert Pattinson), a man who flees his debt on Earth by joining a mission to colonise the ice planet Niflheim.
Mickey lands a less than desirable job as an expendable, whose role is to take on dangerous assignments. Each time he dies, he is cloned using advanced technology, and sent out on even more deadly missions.
Yeun plays Mickey’s shady friend Timo, who also joins the colonial journey as a pilot.
As the Korean-American actor steps back into the spotlight, viewers are curious to know more about his life beyond the screen.
Early life
Born in December 1983 in Seoul, Korea, Yeun’s family migrated to Canada when he was five years old, then moved to Troy, Michigan a year later.
Growing up, the accomplished actor’s ‘hero’ was Will Smith, primarily because he did not see his Asian-American identity represented on TV. To a young Yeun, Smith was the ‘closest’ reflection he could see of himself in popular cinema.
Speaking to The Hot Corn, he shared: “When I was young my hero was Will Smith. That’s because he was probably the closest to my own personal journey, of feeling ‘other’ or ‘outsider.’ Fresh Prince [Of Bel Air] was exactly that.
“Then, you try to connect to mainstream stuff, and it’s not to say I can’t connect to a film that has a white protagonist, like of course I can, we’re all human beings, those things spoke to me. But sometimes, having a more nuanced approach to how it can connect to you is really that much more important.”
The Walking Dead exit
Similar to Smith, the 41-year-old celebrity got his big break on a TV show.
The Walking Dead premiered in 2010 and featured Yeun as Glenn Rhee, a core member of main character Rick Grimes’ (Andrew Lincoln) survival group.
He was introduced to viewers in the second episode of the zombie apocalypse drama and quickly became a fan favourite.
Unfortunately, he met his brutal fate in season seven at the hands of villain Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), before the birth of his first child.
Glenn’s death sent shockwaves across the show’s fanbase, who had watched the characters tempt fate for six years. However, Yeun has admitted he was ‘ready’ to let the character’s story end.
He previously told The Independent: “I actually was [ready to go].
“That show is one of the greater experiences of my life. I got to work with such incredible people and I got to experience life in its ups and downs in every facet, so it’s very integral to my being.
“But at that moment, it felt very, very appropriate to leave – not because I wanted to go, not because they wanted me to – just that’s when my character’s story was done. There’s nothing greater in my opinion than someone telling you that there’s an end to something.”
Is Steven Yeun married?
Yeun is married to professional photographer Joana Pak. The pair tied the knot in 2016 and share two children: 7-year-old son Jude and daughter Ruth, aged 5.
Although the couple keep their relationship relatively private, Yeun recently gave a heart-warming nod to his wife and kids in a Golden Globes Award acceptance speech.
He won the prize for Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Limited Series, for his role in Netflix’s hit drama Beef.
“I’m just so thankful,” he said.
He continued: “I’m just the recipient of a long line of compassion and love and protection and goodwill, so I appreciate this. Joana, I love you. You are my strength. Thank you to Judie and Ruthie […].”
Mickey 17 is out in cinemas now.
