Background:

Karl Yune is a Korean American actor. He has acted in such films as  “Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid” (2004),  “Memoirs of a Geisha” (2005) and “Real Steel” (2011). He has also performed in various Off-Broadway plays, and done fashion modeling.     

Yune is a third degree black belt in karate. He is also proficient in other martial arts, like Kendo, Thai boxing, Judo and Jujitsu.


The Groundlings Alum

Childhood and Family:

Karl Yune was born on April 16, 1975, in Washington D.C. He first entered Columbia University in New York City as a business major but later shifted his major to theater at the university's School of Arts. He also trained with the Groundlings Improv Group. While in school, Karl supported himself by modeling and picking up campaigns from L'Oreal to Phat Farm clothing.

Currently, Karl lives in Los Angeles. He is the younger brother of actor Ricky Yune.


Real Steel

Career:

While in college, Karl Yune landed the role of Romeo in an off Broadway production of “Romeo and Juliet” and was subsequently signed to a talent manager. He went on to grace the New York City theater scene and received critical and rave reviews for his portrayal of Gloucester in a contemporary rendition of Shakespeare's “Richard the III.”

After moving to Los Angeles, Yune was offered a five year contract role on the daytime soap opera “ All My Children,” which was shot in New York City. He declined the offer, but got his first lead film role shortly thereafter. Yune starred as Tran Wu in the cult film “Anacondas: The Hunt for the Blood Orchid” (2004), the stand-alone sequel to the 1997 film “Anaconda.” Despite mixed reviews, the film enjoyed a success at the box office. 2004 also saw the actor appear as Emcee in an episode of “One on One” called “Bright Lights, Big City,” and with Victor Isaac, Mark Irvingsen and Camille Solari in the short “Hold Up,” by Tanya Boyd. Credited as Karl Hahn, he played the lead role of James Hudson in the short film “Miracle Mile” (2004), which won the Jimmy Stewart Crystal Heart Memorial Award at the Heartland Film Festival.    

In 2005, Yune was chosen by producer Steven Spielberg to play the notable role of Koichi, the secret lover to Geisha Hatsumomo (played by Li Gong), in “Memoirs of a Geisha,”  absed on the novel of the same name by Arthur Golden. Helmed by Rob Marshall, the film was nominated for several Academy Awards and won three categories for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography and Best Costume Design. It scored over $162 million worldwide against a budget $85 million. The same year, Yune starred with Marie Matiko and Sung Kang in the martial arts movie “Forbidden Warrior” and portrayed Alex the 2nd A.D. In the comedy film “Freezerburn.”   

Next up for Yune, he played the title role on Eric Won's short film “Ken” (2006), which won the Festival Prize for Best Cinematography at the 2007 Hollywood MiniDV Festival, portrayed the character K in the drama film “Hers” (2007), which was written and directed by Jeong Jung Kim, and was featured as Taejo Body Guard in the action film “Speed Racer” (2008), starring Emile Hirsch, Matthew Fox and Christina Ricci. Besides, he appeared as Johnny Chang in the episode “Journey to the End of the Knight” (2008) of “Knight Rider.”  

Yune landed the role of genius Tak Mashido on “Real Steel” (2011), a science fiction/sports drama film starring Hugh Jackman and Dakota Goyo and co-produced and directed by Shawn Levy. The film received to mixed reviews and grossed over $295 million at the box office.    


Awards:

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