Steven Yeun, actor known for his role in BEEF opposite Ali Wong, discusses his character and emotionally intense scenes. He shares his journey in the entertainment industry, reflects on Minari's Oscar night, and shares life philosophies. The podcast also explores his surprising talents, exciting collaborations, chemistry in a series, and themes of class and capitalism.
Stephen reflects on the importance of being visible and how it shaped his desire to perform throughout his life.
Stephen discusses his role in the series 'Beef' and how it allowed him to explore human connection and reflect on his experiences in the Korean church.
Deep dives
Stephen's Journey to Acting
Stephen reflects on his early childhood and the feeling of trying to explain himself and be visible. He discusses how he gravitated towards performing, whether through singing in his church's praise band or wanting to become a sports center anchor. Despite not having a specific plan, he feels fortunate for the opportunities and closed doors that have led him to where he is today.
The Making of 'Beef'
Stephen talks about his latest role in the series 'Beef' and how it allowed him to explore human connection and the intersections of class, race, and gender. He discusses the collaboration with creator Sunny and how they wanted to explore the polarization of the world. Stephen highlights the authenticity of the Korean church portrayed in the series and how it served as an opportunity for reflection and excavation of past experiences.
Working with Ali Wong
Stephen shares his experience of working with Ali Wong in 'Beef' and praises her power and presence. He discusses the excitement he felt whenever they had scenes together and how their chemistry propelled the series. They played off each other physically and emotionally, creating a dynamic that engaged the audience and made them root for their characters.
Stephen's Journey in the Industry
Reflecting on his career, Stephen acknowledges the role of luck and closed doors in shaping his trajectory. He mentions the importance of making bold choices and not being defined by any specific identity in order to challenge himself as an actor. He's grateful for the opportunities that have come his way, including his Oscar-nominated role in 'Minari' and joining the Marvel universe.
Steven Yeun joins the show to talk about his role in BEEF, which positions him opposite Ali Wong in a face-off of epic proportions.
Yeun explains how the show's creator Lee Sung Jin brought him onboard to play Danny Cho, breaks down one of Danny's most vulnerable and emotionally intense scenes, and describes what it was like going head to head with Ali Wong's character Amy over the course of the series.
Yeun also shares how his desire to feel visible growing up evolved into an interest in performing, reflects on Minari's 2021 Oscar night, and shares a few life philosophies that he has picked up along his journey through the entertainment industry.
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