Ep. 82: How Steven Yeun Went From ‘The Walking Dead’ to ‘Burning’

TIFF Long Take

This week on TIFF Long Take, Rob and Geoff sit down with one of the film’s most exciting young actors, Steven Yeun. Steven is probably best known for his role as Glenn Rhee on 'The Walking Dead', but since leaving the show has leaned more towards independent and international cinema with roles in Bong Joon-ho’s 'Okja', Boots Riley’s 'Sorry To Bother You', and, most recently, Lee Chang Dong’s 'Burning'. The Korean thriller premiered at Cannes to rave reviews and is the first film to feature Yeun in a starring role.

Yeun talks about the films and filmmakers that influenced him growing up, why he was initially hesitant to make a film in Korea, and what makes Lee Chang Dong so special.

He also talks about how he prepares for his roles, the under-representation of Asian Americans in Hollywood films, and why thinks he wouldn’t have been offered a role as substantial as ‘Burning’ in the United States.