Yoo Il-seung () is a South Korean cinematographer. He began his career in 2006 as a member of the cinematography team under Hong Kyung-pyo. He worked with Hong on films from critically acclaimed director such as Bong Joon-ho's Mother (2009), Na Hong-jin's The Wailing (2016) and Lee Chang-dong's Burning (2018).
Yoo made his feature-length debut with Park Sang-hyun's film Innocence (2020) and gained recognition for his work on Jo Jin-mo's film Waiting for Rain (2021), which earned him the Best New Cinematographer award at the Golden Cinematography Awards. His drama work includes the series Perfect Family (2024).
Education Yoo's hometown is Masan, South Korea. Yoo was drawn to cinema as a teenager, citing frequent trips to bigger city to see movies such as Shunji Iwai's Swallowtail Butterfly. He relocated to Cheonan to enroll in the film program at the Dankook University' School of Theater and Film.
Career Beginning In 2006, during his fourth year of college, Yoo collaborated with classmate Choi Young-jun on the short films Merry Christmas and When Love Is Needed More Than Ever. Directed by Choi, Merry Christmas explores the lives of a "goose father" and a foreign worker during the Christmas season, highlighting the challenges they face while being away from their families. Shot in 35mm color, the film won the grand prize at the 2nd Korea University Film Festival, competing against 20 other finalists. Yoo received the Best Cinematography award for his work on both films. He also demonstrated his acting talent, having received a 2 million won scholarship from the Eastman Kodak Student Scholarship Program.
That same year, Yoo came across a posting seeking the youngest member for the cinematography team of the film , led by cinematographer Hong Kyung-pyo. He applied, was accepted, and became Hong's mentee, collaborating on several films. One notable experience was working on Bong Joon-ho's Mother, where Yoo observed Director Bong's approach to acting and his adaptive storyboards.
Following his participation in Kim Min-seok's Haunters (2010), Yoo returned to his studies at the Korea National University of Arts. He remains a member of Hong Kyung-pyo's team, working alongside critically acclaimed directors on films such as Na Hong-jin's The Wailing (2016) and Lee Chang-dong's Burning (2018). Additionally, Yoo has served as cinematographer on several short and independent films. In 2015, he won Best Cinematography at the 52nd Grand Bell Awards Short Film Festival for the short film Green Door.
Debut as cinematographer and the following works in films and dramas In 2020, Yoo made his feature-length commercial film debut as the cinematographer for Park Sang-hyun's film Innocence. The film tells the story of a group of men in a rural village funeral hall who drink pesticide-laced makgeolli and suddenly begin to vomit. Jung-in (Shin Hye-sun), the eldest daughter and a successful lawyer in Seoul, rushes home when her mother, Hwa-ja (Bae Jong-ok), becomes the prime suspect in the ensuing chaos, prompting her quest for the truth. Innocence shifts between crime thriller, courtroom drama, and a poignant mother-daughter narrative, underscored by the vivid and precise performances of its veteran cast. The disciplined cinematography, which draws close to the actors' expressions, is a hallmark of Yoo's work in this debut.
The following year, Yoo served as cinematographer for Jo Jin-mo's film Waiting for Rain, written by Yoo Seong-hyub. Starring Kang Ha-neul and Chun Woo-hee, the film is a love story about two individuals who have yearned for each other for a long time but could not meet due to various circumstances. This work earned him the Best New Cinematographer award at the Golden Cinematography Awards.
In 2024, Yoo made his terrestrial television drama debut with the KBS2 series Perfect Family, which was directed by japanese director Isao Yukisada. They worked on the drama with a tight schedule of 70 days. The director reportedly chose Yoo following a recommendation from Bong Joon-ho.
Filmography Film +Film(s) credit of Yoo Year Film Director RoleNotes 2006 Choi Young-junCinematographerShort film, graduation projectWhen Love Is Needed More Than Ever2007 Lee Eun-heeCinematographer Team M Lee Myung-se Maya Gurchew Woo Bo-yeon Lighting 2008 Usual Relationship Park Hyeon-cheol Cinematographer, Lighting Eye for an Eye Kwak Kyung-taek Cinematographer Team Dog of Cheonggyecheon Kim Kyung-mook Cinematographer 2009MotherBong Joon-hoCinematographer Team Actresses E J-yong Timeless Ryoo Seung-wan Short film 2010 71: Into the Fire Kim Min-seok Cinematographer Team Haunters Cinematographer Team 2011 Always Song Il-gon 2012 Choked Kim Joong-hyun Cinematographer Team A Company Man Im Sang-yoon Cinematographer Team Beast Is My Middle Name Kim Bo-ra Cinematographer Poker Face Girl Kim Geon 2013 Man on the Edge Jo Jin-kyu Cinematographer Team Boomerang Family Song Hae-sung Cinematographer Team Tough as Iron Ahn Gwon-tae Cinematographer Team 2014 Sea Fog Shim Sung-bo Cinematographer Team Man in Love Han Dong-wook Cinematographer Team Greed Song Woo-jin Cinematographer Short film Green DoorBae Jun-hyunCinematographerShort film 2015 Chronicle of a Blood Merchant Ha Jung-woo Cinematographer Team 2016 The Wailing Na Hong-jin Cinematographer Team Run-Off Kim Jong-Hyeon 2017 The Silence of the Dogs Kim Kyung-mook Cinematographer Independent film 2018 Burning Lee Chang-dong Cinematographer Team 2020 Innocence Park Sang-hyun Cinematographer Feature film debut 2021 Waiting for Rain Jo Jin-mo Cinematographer 2022 Honest Candidate 2 Jang Yu-jeong Cinematographer 2023 Project Silence Kim Tae-gon Cinematographer Team 2025 Isao Yukisada Cinematographer
Series +Series(s) credit of YooYearTitleDirectorRoleNotes 2024 Perfect Family Isao YukisadaCinematographer KBS2 drama
Awards and nominations +Awards and nominations received by Yoo Award Year Category Nominated work Result Golden Cinematography Award 2021 Best New Cinematographer Waiting for Rain 52nd Grand Bell Awards Short Film Festival 2015 Best Cinematography Green Door The 2nd 2006 Best Cinematography When Love Is Needed More Than Ever
Notes
References
External links
Yoo Il-seung at KMDB