Yoo Ji-tae

Yoo Ji-tae was born on April 13, 1976 in Seoul, South Korea. Yoo was raised by a single parent. Of his mother, he said, "My mother, who worked as a nurse for a long time, wants to run a hospital for the elderly someday. I want to financially help her realize her dream, and then establish an orphanage".{{cite web|title=Yoo Ji-tae: "My Dream is to Establish an Orphanage"|url=http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/entertainment_news_view.html?No=302|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130413133655/http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/entertainment_news_view.html?No=302|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 13, 2013|work=KBS Global|date=2 May 2005}}

Yoo is friends with comedian Kim Joon-ho, having lived together as roommates during university and briefly acting together on-stage. He graduated with a Bachelor's degree from the Department of Theatre and Film at Dankook University's College of Liberal Arts. He then earned a Master's degree in visual arts from Chung-Ang University and a Master's degree in social welfare from Catholic University of Korea. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in visual arts at Chung-Ang University.{{cite web|script-title=ko:유지태, 건국대 영상영화과 교수 됐다...김혜수·이민정·김지훈 축하|trans-title=Yoo Ji-tae becomes a professor in the Department of Film and Video at Konkuk University... Congratulations from Kim Hye-soo, Lee Min-jung, and Kim Ji-hoon|url=https://www.news1.kr/entertain/celebrity-topic/5159028|website=News1|language=ko|last=Ahn|first=Eun-jae|date=September 2, 2023|access-date=January 25, 2025}}{{cite web|script-title=ko:'학위 3개' 유지태, 건국대 영상영화과 전임교수 임명 [공식]|trans-title='3 Degrees' Yoo Ji-tae Appointed Full-time Professor of Film and Video at Konkuk University [Official]|url=https://enews.imbc.com/News/RetrieveNewsInfo/393216|website=iMBC|language=ko|last=Kim|first=Hye-young|date=September 2, 2023|access-date=January 25, 2025}}

Yoo was teaching in the Department of Film and Video at Konkuk University for some time before being appointed as a full-time professor on September 1, 2023. He has been working as a full-time professor since the second semester of 2023.

Yoo Ji-tae began his career as a fashion model, and he walked the runway for the Seoul Fashion Artist Association collections in 1995. Then in 2000, with a series of hit films and widely seen TV appearances, Yoo was more constantly in the limelight than any other actor, and in a very short time, rose to become a major actor in Korean film.[https://koreanfilm.org/actors.html#yoojt "Actors and Actresses of Korean Cinema: Yoo Ji-tae"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215172019/http://koreanfilm.org/actors.html#yoojt |date=December 15, 2018 }}. Koreanfilm.org. Retrieved 2012-09-25.

His first brush with fame came in the role of "Paint" in his second feature, the 1999 hit Attack the Gas Station. His sensitive and artistic image in this film and the warm character he displayed as a guest on TV talk shows helped to propel him to stardom. With the surprise success of his third film Ditto in spring 2000, Yoo's star status was secured. He also appeared in the successful firefighting film Libera Me. In this early part of his career, he was known particularly for the wild colors that he would dye his hair (white in Attack the Gas Station, blue in Ditto, blonde in Libera Me).

In 2001, however, he dyed his hair black and took on a more subdued, serious role in Hur Jin-ho's One Fine Spring Day. Although it wasn't a big hit with audiences, his performance in this film opened many critics' eyes and drew widespread praise, while officially launching the second stage of his career.

For the next two years, Yoo didn't appear in any new films, because Natural City took an unusually long time to progress from shooting to a commercial release. He then appeared in three works in 2003: Natural City (which bombed, despite its big budget and special effects), the horror/suspense film Into the Mirror, and Park Chan-wook's acclaimed Oldboy. Yoo's memorable role in the latter film as a wealthy eccentric fixated on revenge would make his face well known to international audiences.

Yoo has stated that he believes Oldboy to be an original Korean story.

As Yoo's career established itself he began to appear in many high-profile projects, such as in well-known arthouse director Hong Sang-soo's Woman is the Future of Man (which, like Oldboy, screened at Cannes in 2004);{{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/films/la-femme-est-l-avenir-de-l-homme|title=LA FEMME EST L'AVENIR DE L'HOMME|work=Cannes Film Festival|access-date=January 30, 2018|archive-date=April 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180418073217/http://www.festival-cannes.com/en/films/la-femme-est-l-avenir-de-l-homme|url-status=live}} Yim Pil-sung's big-budget Antarctic Journal, shot in New Zealand;{{cite web|url=http://screenanarchy.com/2005/08/antarctic-journal-dvd-review.html|title=[K-FILM REVIEWS] 남극일기 (Antarctic Journal)|date=15 August 2005|work=Screen Anarchy|access-date=January 30, 2018|archive-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131200648/http://screenanarchy.com/2005/08/antarctic-journal-dvd-review.html|url-status=live}} and the action/noir Running Wild with Kwon Sang-woo.[http://twitchfilm.com/news/2006/01/running-wild-press-screening-report.php "야수 (Running Wild) Press Screening Report"] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120716195635/http://twitchfilm.com/news/2006/01/running-wild-press-screening-report.php |date=July 16, 2012 }}. Twitch Film. 4 January 2006. He also established his own production company Yoo Movie in 2005.

As soon as he finished shooting the 2007 period film Hwang Jin-yi about a Joseon-era gisaeng,{{cite web|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2881486|title=Expensive drama stylish but miscast|date=15 October 2007|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|access-date=January 30, 2018|archive-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131140901/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2881486|url-status=live}} Yoo chose to act in the play Come to the Ghost House. A graduate of Dankook University with a major in Theater and Film, he also established a theater to put on one play a year. Almost all the money for the theatrical productions comes from his own wallet. "I work on stage because it's there that I find the challenge and the stimulus an actor needs through continuous creative work," he said.[http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/04/09/2007040961007.html "Screen Star Yoo Ji-tae Finds Creative Challenge in Theater"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910052633/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2007/04/09/2007040961007.html |date=September 10, 2012 }}. The Chosun Ilbo. 9 April 2007.

Yoo returned to the screen with 2008 romantic drama film, Hello, Schoolgirl, based on the manhwa Soonjeong Manhwa.{{cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=1115|title=YOO Ji-tae and LEE Yeon-hee in romantic film|work=Korean Film Biz Zone|date=6 November 2008|access-date=January 30, 2018|archive-date=July 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722011648/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=1115|url-status=live}}

In 2009, he lent his voice as narrator for the track "I’m Sorry" (미안해) in singer Jinju's album Pearlfect.{{cite web|date=19 November 2008|title=진주 새 앨범 'Pearlfect', 유지태 내레이션 참여|trans-title=Jinju's new album 'Pearlfect', Yoo Ji-tae participated in narration|url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2008111909270095372|work=Asia Economy|language=ko|access-date=November 25, 2012|archive-date=February 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211220432/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2008111909270095372|url-status=live}}

Yoo then returned to the melodrama genre, starring in his first TV drama Star's Lover opposite Choi Ji-woo,{{cite web|last=Oh|first=Jean|title=Mega drama duo signals hot winter|url=http://view.koreaherald.com/kh/view.php?ud=20081201000065|work=The Korea Herald|date=1 December 2008|access-date=November 17, 2012|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407142712/https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20081201000065|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Han|first=Sang-hee|title=Celebrity's Sweetheart Knocks on Viewers Hearts|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/shows-dramas/20081202/celebritys-sweetheart-knocks-on-viewers-hearts|work=The Korea Times|date=2 December 2008|access-date=November 17, 2012|archive-date=October 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003100108/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/art/2008/12/201_35425.html|url-status=live}} as well as a couple of romance-themed films, notably Secret Love which reunited him with Oldboy costar Yoon Jin-seo.Sung, So-young (26 February 2010). "Korea’s forbidden lovers of film return". Korea JoongAng Daily. Afterwards he played another villain in the real-time suspense thriller Midnight FM.Han, Sun-hee (10 August 2010). [http://cinematoday.korea.com/2010/08/a-speedy-real-time-thriller/ "MIDNIGHT FM, A Speedy Real Time Thriller"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120323063453/http://cinematoday.korea.com/2010/08/a-speedy-real-time-thriller/ |date=March 23, 2012 }}. Korean Cinema Today.[https://archive.today/20130413133209/http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/entertainment_news_view.html?No=7518 "Soo Ae: ‘I Felt Relieved After Filming Scenes Heaping Insults’"]. KBS Global. 20 September 2010.

After getting his master's degree in 2008 from Chung-Ang University's Graduate School of Advanced Imaging Science, Multimedia & Film, in recent years Yoo has focused more on his passion for directing. To him, "Making films is like taking drugs. Actors feel a pleasure when they deliver well but directors feel they have poured out everything they have in the sole fact that they have completed a movie. It's impossible to compare the pleasure you get from it."Lee, Ji-hye (7 April 2010). [http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2010040717194768752 "Yoo Ji-tae's Movie Picks"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150211221555/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2010040717194768752 |date=February 11, 2015 }}. Asiae. He has helmed a number of award-winning short films that have screened in festivals around the world.[http://www.yesasia.com/us/yoo-ji-tae-collection-2010-dvd-korea-version/1022973754-0-0-0-en/info.html Yoo Ji Tae Collection 2010] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110421044306/http://www.yesasia.com/us/yoo-ji-tae-collection-2010-dvd-korea-version/1022973754-0-0-0-en/info.html |date=April 21, 2011 }}. YesAsia. 27 July 2010. In addition to directing his fourth short film Invitation, Yoo wrote the script and plays the main character alongside leading lady Uhm Ji-won.Lee, Hae-joo (29 May 2009). . Korea JoongAng Daily.

In 2012, Yoo directed his first feature film Mai Ratima, based on a synopsis he wrote 15 years ago in college.{{cite web|last=Hwang |first=Sung-un |title=Actor-director Yoo Ji-tae's Song Picks |url=http://www.tenasia.com/archives/61195 |website=10Asia |date=21 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624044906/http://www.tenasia.com/archives/61195 |archive-date=24 June 2013 }} It portrays the unlikely love affair of a Korean man in his 30s living on the bottom rung of society and a mail-order bride from Thailand in her 20s.{{cite web|last=Ji|first=Yong-jin|title=The Reality We Must Face Now: YOO Ji-tae, Director of Mai Ratima|url=http://koreanfilm.or.kr/webzine/sub/interview.jsp?mode=A_VIEW&wbSeq=23|work=Korean Cinema Today|date=5 October 2012|access-date=June 6, 2013|archive-date=May 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502032000/http://koreanfilm.or.kr/webzine/sub/interview.jsp?mode=A_VIEW&wbSeq=23|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Sunwoo|first=Carla|title=Mai Ratima tackles the challenges of a multicultural Korea|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2972705|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=7 June 2013|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620215744/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2972705|archive-date=June 20, 2013|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|last=Ji|first=Yong-jin|title=Director YOO Ji-tae and Actor BAE Soo-bin of MAI RATIMA: Cooperation Between Friendly Colleagues|url=http://koreanfilm.or.kr/webzine/sub/interview.jsp?mode=A_VIEW&wbSeq=49|work=Korean Cinema Today|date=19 June 2013|access-date=July 1, 2013|archive-date=December 1, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201033436/http://koreanfilm.or.kr/webzine/sub/interview.jsp?mode=A_VIEW&wbSeq=49|url-status=live}} Shooting began in Gyeonggi Province on January 26, 2012,[http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/11/09/2011110900888.html "Oldboy Villain Yoo Ji-tae to Direct First Feature"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213105612/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/11/09/2011110900888.html |date=December 13, 2011 }}. The Chosun Ilbo. 9 November 2011.Kim, Jessica (30 January 2012). [http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2012013016285992073 "Yoo Ji-tae first feature cranks in"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413155704/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2012013016285992073 |date=April 13, 2014 }}. Asiae. and it premiered at the Busan International Film Festival on October 5, 2012.{{cite web|last=Jeon|first=Chanil|title=Mai Ratima|url=http://www.biff.kr/ENG/html/program/prog_view.asp?idx=7336&c_idx=41|work=Busan International Film Festival|access-date=2012-09-25|archive-date=September 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923185030/http://www.biff.kr/ENG/html/program/prog_view.asp?idx=7336&c_idx=41|url-status=live}} Yoo said he plans to continue producing or directing movies based on strong social issues as he is interested in the plight of the less privileged.{{cite web|title=Yoo Ji-tae Shines Light on Mail-Order Brides at Helm of First Feature|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/10/15/2012101500965.html|work=The Chosun Ilbo|date=15 October 2012|access-date=October 23, 2012|archive-date=November 11, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111024004/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/10/15/2012101500965.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Park|first=Eun-jee|title=Korean actors find satisfaction off-camera|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2962415|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=16 November 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130227024918/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2962415|archive-date=February 27, 2013|df=mdy-all}} Mai Ratima won the Jury Prize at the 2013 Deauville Asian Film Festival.{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Claire|title=Yoo Ji-tae wins Jury Prize at Deauville Asian Film Fest|url=http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130310000273|work=The Korea Herald|date=10 March 2013|access-date=March 11, 2013|archive-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131081021/http://nwww.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20130310000273|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=Actor-Turned-Director Yoo Ji-tae Wins Jury Prize in Deauville|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/03/11/2013031100784.html|work=The Chosun Ilbo|date=11 March 2013|access-date=March 12, 2013|archive-date=March 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130315081848/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2013/03/11/2013031100784.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Conran|first=Pierce|title=MAI RATIMA Awarded Jury Prize at Deauville Asian Film Festival|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=2308|work=Korean Film Council|date=12 March 2013|access-date=March 12, 2013|archive-date=February 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202000914/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=2308|url-status=live}}

He then co-starred with Kōichi Satō and Vincent Gallo in Junji Sakamoto's 2013 suspense thriller Human Trust.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/vincent-gallo-joins-japanese-thriller-human-trust-co-starring-koichi-sato-oldboy-star-yu-ji-tae-20130712|title=Vincent Gallo Joins Japanese Thriller 'Human Trust' Co-Starring Kôichi Satô & 'Oldboy' Star Yu Ji-Tae|work=Indiewire|first=Charlie|last=Schmidlin|date=12 July 2013|access-date=July 16, 2013|archive-date=December 3, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203031324/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/vincent-gallo-joins-japanese-thriller-human-trust-co-starring-koichi-sato-oldboy-star-yu-ji-tae-20130712|url-status=dead}}

For the biopic The Tenor - Lirico Spinto, Yoo practiced singing for four hours every day for more than a year, and took private English and Japanese lessons to portray Bae Jae-chul, an internationally acclaimed tenor who loses his voice to thyroid cancer.{{cite web|last=Baek|first=Byung-yeul|title=Singing miracle|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2015/01/141_169033.html|website=The Korea Times|date=30 November 2014|access-date=January 17, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304034058/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/culture/2015/01/141_169033.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Jin|first=Eun-soo|title=The Tenor puts Yoo Ji-tae under pressure|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2998930|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=26 December 2014|access-date=December 27, 2014|archive-date=December 27, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227203347/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2998930|url-status=live}} Afterwards, he starred in another TV series Healer, written by Song Ji-na.{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Hye-in|title=Photos from the first script reading rehearsal for Healer unleashed|url=http://en.starnnews.com/news/index.html?no=326897|website=StarN News|date=16 September 2014|access-date=December 3, 2014|archive-date=December 9, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141209204735/http://en.starnnews.com/news/index.html?no=326897|url-status=usurped}}

In 2016, Yoo starred in the bowling-themed film, Split.{{cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?pageIndex=1&blbdComCd=601006&seq=3834&mode=VIEW&returnUrl=&searchKeyword=Yoo+Ji-tae|title=Shooting Begins for New YOO Ji-tae Film|date=7 April 2016|work=Korean Film Biz Zone|access-date=January 30, 2018|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407142715/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?pageIndex=1&blbdComCd=601006&seq=3834&mode=VIEW&returnUrl=&searchKeyword=Yoo+Ji-tae|url-status=live}} He returned to television in the South Korean remake of The Good Wife.{{cite web|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3023233|title=Yoo Ji-tae dangerously good as the {{sic|villian|nolink=y}}: 'The Good Wife' star looks back at complex role as a hot bad guy|date=30 August 2016|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|access-date=January 30, 2018|archive-date=January 31, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180131140909/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3023233|url-status=live}}

In 2017, Yoo starred in The Swindlers along with Hyun Bin. The movie is about a prosecutor who plans to catch a con man who has swindled a large sum of money.{{cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?blbdComCd=601006&seq=3909&mode=VIEW|title=Hyun-bin Signs Up for KKUN|website=Korean Film Biz Zone|access-date=January 30, 2018|archive-date=June 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611230852/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/news.jsp?blbdComCd=601006&seq=3909&mode=VIEW|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20171011000733|title=Hyun Bin, Yoo Ji-tae team up in 'The Swindlers'|work=The Korea Herald|date=11 October 2017|access-date=January 30, 2018|archive-date=July 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180712004626/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20171011000733|url-status=live}} The same year, he was cast in the Danish film The House That Jack Built by Lars Von Trier.{{cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?pageIndex=1&blbdComCd=601006&seq=4282&mode=VIEW&returnUrl=&searchKeyword=Yoo+Ji-tae|title=YOO Ji-tae Films Role in Latest from Lars Von Trier|date=8 May 2017|website=Korean Film Biz Zone|access-date=January 30, 2018|archive-date=April 7, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407014547/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?pageIndex=1&blbdComCd=601006&seq=4282&mode=VIEW&returnUrl=&searchKeyword=Yoo+Ji-tae|url-status=live}} He also had a starring role in the crime drama, Mad Dog.{{cite web|url=https://www.hancinema.net/yoo-ji-tae-yoo-do-hwan-and-ryu-hwa-young-in-kbs-mad-dog-109321.html|title=Yoo Ji-tae, Yoo Do-hwan and Ryu Hwa-young in KBS "Mad Dog"|date=24 August 2017|work=HanCinema|publisher=Osen|access-date=January 30, 2018|archive-date=November 12, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112015154/https://www.hancinema.net/yoo-ji-tae-yoo-do-hwan-and-ryu-hwa-young-in-kbs-mad-dog-109321.html|url-status=live}}

In January 2018, Yoo signed with new management agency BH Entertainment.{{cite web|title=유지태, BH엔터와 전속계약..이병헌·한지민과 한솥밥(공식)|url=http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201801150903214110|work=Newsen|date=15 January 2018|language=ko|access-date=January 15, 2018|archive-date=January 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180115124749/http://www.newsen.com/news_view.php?uid=201801150903214110|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Yoo is set to star in the espionage melodrama Different Dreams.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003300534|title=[공식]유지태X이요원, '이몽' 출연 확정...내년 상반기 방송|date=15 August 2018|website=Sports Chosun|language=ko|access-date=August 15, 2018|archive-date=March 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329183812/https://entertain.naver.com/read?oid=076&aid=0003300534|url-status=live}}

In 2020, Yoo starred in the melodrama When My Love Blooms.{{cite web|url=http://www.xportsnews.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=1218162|title='화양연화', 유지태X이보영X갓세븐 박진영X전소니 캐스팅 확정 [공식입장]|date=January 3, 2020|website=Xports News|language=ko|access-date=February 16, 2020|archive-date=April 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220426062936/https://www.xportsnews.com/?ac=article_view&entry_id=1218162|url-status=live}}

Yoo first met actress Kim Hyo-jin in 2003 when they were models for a clothing brand, and the two became friends after continuously meeting in photo shoots. Their romantic relationship began in 2006, and they were among the very few Korean star couples who openly admitted their dating status.{{cite web|script-title=ko:술술토크: (13) 가식없는 김효진의 매력 속으로...|url=http://issue.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2008/11/19/2008111901178.html|work=The Chosun Ilbo|language=ko|trans-title=Interview: Into Kim Hyo-jin's down-to-earth charm|date=19 November 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130119155157/http://issue.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2008/11/19/2008111901178.html|archive-date=January 19, 2013|df=mdy-all}} They announced their engagement in August 2011,[http://view.koreaherald.com/kh/view.php?ud=20110821000305 "Yoo Ji-tae, Kim Hyo-jin to wed in Dec."] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407142714/https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20110821000305 |date=April 7, 2023 }}. The Korea Herald. 21 August 2011.[http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/08/22/2011082200543.html "Yoo Ji-tae, Kim Hyo-jin Decide to Finally Tie the Knot"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190617004826/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/08/22/2011082200543.html |date=June 17, 2019 }}. The Chosun Ilbo. 22 August 2011.Ko, Kyoung-seok (22 August 2011). [http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2011082209500663957 "Yoo Ji-tae, Kim Hyo-jin to wed Dec 2"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185831/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2011082209500663957 |date=February 21, 2014 }}. Asiae.Chung, Ah-young (22 August 2011). [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2011/08/178_93243.html "Yoo, Kim to marry on Dec. 2"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407011358/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2011/08/178_93243.html |date=April 7, 2023 }} . The Korea Times.. Korea JoongAng Daily. 23 August 2011. and subsequently released pre-wedding photos.{{cite web|title=유지태-김효진 "내 사람이다vs심장이 먼저 반응" 예비부부 벌써 신혼|url=http://sports.chosun.com/news/news.htm?id=201110190000000000012936&ServiceDate=20111019|work=Sports Chosun|language=ko|trans-title=Yoo Ji Tae & fiancée Kim Hyo Jin pose for Harper’s BAZAAR|date=19 October 2011|access-date=November 25, 2012|archive-date=October 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020100628/http://sports.chosun.com/news/news.htm?id=201110190000000000012936&ServiceDate=20111019|url-status=live}}{{cite web|script-title=ko:'결혼' 유지태·김효진, '완벽비주얼' 웨딩화보|url=http://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2011120108041412333&type=3|work=Star News|language=ko|trans-title=Yoo Ji Tae and Kim Hyo Jin reveal new pre-wedding photos|date=1 December 2011|access-date=November 25, 2012|archive-date=February 21, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221185834/http://star.mt.co.kr/stview.php?no=2011120108041412333&type=3|url-status=live}} Their minimalist invitation was made from environmentally friendly paper and had the number 1,825 written on it, the exact number of days the two had spent together as a couple.{{cite web|script-title=ko:유지태-김효진 예비부부 ‘착한 청첩장’ 공개|url=http://www.eto.co.kr/news/view.asp?Code=20111129115832020|work=Economy Today|language=ko|trans-title=Yoo Ji Tae & Kim Hyo Jin, simplest of wedding invitations|date=29 November 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223113603/http://www.eto.co.kr/news/view.asp?Code=20111129115832020|archive-date=February 23, 2014|df=mdy-all}}{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20120405233729/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2944921 "Yoo and Kim release wedding photos"]}}. Korea JoongAng Daily. 1 December 2011. They were married at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on December 2, 2011.[http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/12/05/2011120500519.html "Celebrity Couple Exchange Vows After 5-Year Romance"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111208022208/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/12/05/2011120500519.html |date=December 8, 2011 }}. The Chosun Ilbo. 5 December 2011.Choi, Eun-hwa (2 December 2011). [http://www.enewsworld.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=1912 "Yoo Ji Tae and Kim Hyo Jin Say They’ll Live Happily"]. enewsWorld.{{cite web|last=Kim|first=Byung-kwan|title=Yoo Ji Tae & Kim Hyo Jin Tie the Knot|url=http://enewsworld.mnet.com/photo/photo.asp?ptID=228&npID=14583|work=enewsWorld|date=2 December 2011|access-date=November 25, 2012|archive-date=January 28, 2013|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130128233106/http://enewsworld.mnet.com/photo/photo.asp?ptID=228&npID=14583|url-status=dead}} The wedding date marked the couple's fifth anniversary together and was booked by Yoo one year in advance despite landing on a Friday – an unusual day for a wedding. The ceremony was officiated by the president of World Vision Korea; Yoo and Kim are the organization's honorary ambassadors,[http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/10/19/2011101900683.html "Celebrity Couple Using Fame to Support World Vision"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111024071741/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/10/19/2011101900683.html |date=October 24, 2011 }}. The Chosun Ilbo. 19 October 2011 and they donated a portion of their monetary wedding gifts to World Vision to help build a primary and middle school in Myanmar.{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Hye-ji|title=Yoo Ji-tae, Kim Hyo-jin Celebrate 1st Wedding Anniversary in Myanmar|url=http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2012120410464845440|website=Asiae|date=5 December 2012|access-date=June 6, 2013|archive-date=October 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017090503/http://www.asiae.co.kr/news/view.htm?idxno=2012120410464845440|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Celebrity Couple Support School in Burma|url=http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/12/06/2012120601363.html|work=The Chosun Ilbo|date=6 December 2012|access-date=December 7, 2012|archive-date=March 4, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304222813/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2012/12/06/2012120601363.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last=Sunwoo|first=Carla|title=Yoo Ji-tae and wife celebrate anniversary with good deed|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2963532|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=7 December 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213105022/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2963532|archive-date=December 13, 2012|df=mdy-all}} Their first child, a son, was born on July 5, 2014.{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Sun-min|title=Celebrity couple gives birth to son|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2991594|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=7 July 2014|access-date=July 8, 2014|archive-date=August 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811063201/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aId=2991594|url-status=live}} They welcomed their second son on April 15, 2019.{{cite news|title=김효진♥유지태, 두 아들+반려견과 함께한 가족사진 "하루하루 감사"|url=https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/11/04/2019110402974.html|work=The Chosun Ilbo|date=4 November 2019|language=ko|access-date=March 17, 2021|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407142723/https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2019/11/04/2019110402974.html|url-status=live}}

Yoo is very active in philanthropic efforts. He joins charity photo shoots and auctions,[http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/01/05/2011010500556.html "Celebrities Donate Treasured Items to Charity Auction"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208003543/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/01/05/2011010500556.html |date=February 8, 2011 }}. The Chosun Ilbo. 5 January 2011.[http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/program/program_musicnews_frame.htm?No=17604 "Celebrities Join Together To Raise Money For Facial Burn Victims"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304062124/http://world.kbs.co.kr/english/program/program_musicnews_frame.htm?No=17604 |date=March 4, 2016 }}. KBS World. 9 February 2012. has helped set up a kindergarten in Nepal,{{cite web|script-title=ko:유지태, 오는 10월 네팔에 유치원 세운다|url=http://news.sportsseoul.com/read/entertain/703639.htm|work=Sports Seoul|trans-title=Yoo Ji-tae sets up a kindergarten|language=ko|date=29 May 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203025750/http://news.sportsseoul.com/read/entertain/703639.htm|archive-date=February 3, 2013|df=mdy-all}} has donated to Haiti earthquake relief,Lee, Hyo-won (1 January 2010). [https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2010/01/178_59876.html "Yoo Ji-tae Couple Donate 20 Million Won to Haiti"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407011359/http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/special/2010/01/178_59876.html |date=April 7, 2023 }} . The Korea Times. has donated funds for building schools in Myanmar, has joined a charity photo shoot to benefit victims of facial burns, has volunteered in a campaign to deliver free lunches to underprivileged people,[http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/04/22/2011042200681.html "Yoo Ji-tae Donates to Help Build Schools in Myanmar"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161111032914/http://english.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2011/04/22/2011042200681.html |date=November 11, 2016 }}. The Chosun Ilbo. 22 April 2011. has promoted the adoption of abandoned dogs, and has campaigned against domestic violence towards migrant wives.{{cite web|author1=Ki Sun-min|author2=Kang Na-hyun|title='Social-tainers' are talking about the issues|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2957899|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=15 August 2012|url-status=usurped|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510085256/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=2957899|archive-date=May 10, 2013|df=mdy-all}} His advocacies are World Vision, Compassion Korea, DAIL Community, Social Welfare Society Inc., YWCA of Korea,{{cite web|last=Sunwoo|first=Carla|title=Yoo Ji-tae ambassador of the YMCA|url=http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2959334|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130127012817/http://koreajoongangdaily.joinsmsn.com/news/article/Article.aspx?aid=2959334|url-status=usurped|archive-date=January 27, 2013|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=September 13, 2012}} Nanum House of Sharing and Korean Association of Cinematheques.{{cite web|url=http://yoomovie.com/about3.html |title=YooMovie by YOO JI-TAE |access-date=November 26, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120327161934/http://www.yoomovie.com/about3.html |archive-date=March 27, 2012 }}

On March 8, 2022, Yoo donated 10 million won to the Hope Bridge Disaster Relief Association to help the victims of the massive wildfire that started in Uljin, Gyeongbuk and has spread to Samcheok, Gangwon.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=112&aid=0003538680|author=Park Seo-yeon|title=유지태, 산불 성금 1000만 원 기부 "이재민들 위해 써달라"(공식)|trans-title=Yoo Ji-tae, donate 10 million won to the forest fire "Please use it for the victims" (official)|publisher=Herald POP|via=Naver|date=March 8, 2022|access-date=March 8, 2022|language=ko|archive-date=March 8, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220308033921/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=112&aid=0003538680|url-status=live}}

On May 16, 2022, Yoo donated 10 million won to the 9th Wildflower Film Awards.{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=109&aid=0004615823|author=Yeon Hwi-seon|title=유지태, 들꽃영화상 1천만원 쾌척...저예산 독립영화 저변확대 지원 [공식]|trans-title=Yoo Ji-tae, 10 million won at the Wildflower Film Awards... Support for expanding the base of low-budget independent films [Official]|publisher=OSEN|via=Naver|date=May 16, 2022|access-date=May 16, 2022|language=ko|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407142728/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=109&aid=0004615823|url-status=live}}

• Ha-il (2004)
• Six Out of Six (2005){{cite web|last=Lee|first=Yong-sung|title=Film stars attract audience to drama|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20051031000020|website=The Korea Herald|date=31 October 2005|access-date=June 23, 2014|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304050658/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20051031000020|url-status=live}}
• Come to the Ghost House... (2007)

• 2006 28th Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival – Jury{{cite web|title=Actor Yoo Ji-tae Invited as Juror for "Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival"|url=http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/entertainment_news_view.html?No=528|work=KBS Global|date=24 January 2004|access-date=March 11, 2013|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407142754/http://english.kbs.co.kr/|url-status=live}}

• 2007 9th Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia – Jury{{cite web|last=D'Sa|first=Nigel|title=YOO Ji-tae on Short Shorts Jury|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=677|work=Korean Film Council|date=7 June 2007|access-date=March 11, 2013|archive-date=June 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615064125/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=677|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Yoo Ji-tae to Judge at Japanese Short-film Festival|url=http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/entertainment_news_view.html?No=1175|work=KBS Global|date=24 June 2007|access-date=March 11, 2013|archive-date=April 7, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407142730/http://english.kbs.co.kr/|url-status=live}}

• 2008 4th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival – Jury{{cite web|title=4th JIMFF – Award / Jury|url=http://www.jimff.org/en/archive/4th_movie_award1.asp|work=Jecheon International Music & Film Festival|access-date=2013-03-10|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121124081820/http://jimff.org/en/archive/4th_movie_award1.asp|archive-date=November 24, 2012|df=mdy-all}}{{cite web|title=Hur Jin-ho and Yoo Ji-tae Appointed Judges for 2008 JIMFF|url=http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/entertainment_news_view.html?No=1563|work=KBS Global|date=13 August 2008|access-date=March 11, 2013|archive-date=April 18, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140418233906/http://english.kbs.co.kr/news/entertainment_news_view.html?No=1563|url-status=live}}

• 2009 14th Busan International Film Festival – Jury{{cite web|title=14th BIFF (2009) – Juries|url=http://www.biff.kr/eng/html/archive/arc_history14_04.asp|work=Busan International Film Festival|access-date=2013-03-10|archive-date=May 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190528104638/http://www.biff.kr/eng/html/archive/arc_history14_04.asp|url-status=dead}}

• 2009 22nd Tokyo International Film Festival – Jury{{cite web|title=Alejandro González Iňárritu and juries share their thoughts on judging films for awards. – Competition Official Press Conference|url=http://2009.tiff-jp.net/report/daily_en.php?itemid=1263|work=Tokyo International Film Festival|date=22 October 2009|access-date=March 11, 2013|archive-date=May 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519041402/http://2009.tiff-jp.net/report/daily_en.php?itemid=1263|url-status=live}}

• 2011 3rd DMZ International Documentary Film Festival – Co-festival director{{cite web|last=Nam |first=Gyeong-wu |title=Looking Forward to this Winter's DMZ Movie Festival |url=http://eng.gg.go.kr/archives/13511 |work=GNews |date=22 June 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225193545/http://eng.gg.go.kr/archives/13511 |archive-date=25 December 2014 }}{{cite web|last=Lee|first=Hyo-won|title=DMZ Korean International Documentary Festival Opens Sept. 22|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dmz-korean-international-documentary-festival-238000|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=20 September 2011|access-date=March 11, 2013|archive-date=November 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131102034340/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dmz-korean-international-documentary-festival-238000|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=DMZ Docs 2011 closes with Tiniest Place top winner|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=1604|work=Korean Film Council|date=30 September 2011|access-date=March 11, 2013|archive-date=December 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141219163807/http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/jsp/news/news.jsp?mode=VIEW&seq=1604|url-status=live}}

• 2024 29th Busan International Film Festival – Jury, The Choon-yun Award {{cite web|title=29th BIFF (2024) – The Choon-yun Award Juries |url=https://www.biff.kr/eng/addon/10000001/page.asp?page_num=8385|work=Busan International Film Festival|access-date=September 13, 2024}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Yoo, Ji-tae}}

Category:1976 births

Category:Living people

Category:Male actors from Seoul

Category:Models from Seoul

Category:20th-century South Korean male actors

Category:21st-century South Korean male actors

Category:South Korean male television actors

Category:South Korean male film actors

Category:South Korean film directors

Category:South Korean screenwriters

Category:South Korean male stage actors

Category:South Korean male models

Category:Catholic University of Korea alumni

Category:Chung-Ang University alumni

Category:Dankook University alumni

Category:Gangneung Yoo clan