Joo Young-ho (1980)

Joo Young-ho

Leo Joo is a professional actor active in both South Korea and the United States, professionally known by his stage name, Leo Joo.

Leo has built a versatile career, demonstrating remarkable range across genres. He garnered significant recognition for his compelling performance in Apple TV+’s critically acclaimed series Pachinko (Season 1), where he delivered a profoundly moving performance that resonated with audiences worldwide.

In contrast, Leo has also showcased his intensity through darker roles, such as the abusive husband in the 2014 film Late Spring (Bom)-which won Best Film at the 14th Milan International Film Festival and Best Foreign Feature Film at the 23rd Arizona International Film Festival-and as the prison doctor in the first season of the Netflix original series Sense8. His range further extends to comedy, as seen in his performance in the NYU short film The American.

Joo has also been making a significant name for himself on stage. In 2019, he brought the character of Raymond to life in a play adaptation of Albert Camus' novel, The Stranger. The performance garnered him a Best New Actor award from the Seoul Theater Association, the most influential theatre organization in South Korea.