If you’re looking for the busiest actor in the industry right now, Byun Yo-han is definitely on the list! Starting with the Netflix film ‘Pavane’, he has two more projects confirmed for release this year that are waiting to meet audiences. He is tackling a wide range of genres, moving from romance to crime entertainment and even a psychological horror thriller.
Byun Yo-han’s upcoming film ‘Razor’ recently wrapped filming and is set for release in the second half of the year. ‘Razor’ is a psychological horror thriller about Suyeon (Roh Jeong-eui), a novelist living in a rural mansion to heal from past wounds, who spends time with her lover Shin-ji (Kasamatsu Sho) during a holiday in the isolated house. It is the latest work from Director Kim Jung-hoon, who gained attention with the graduation film ‘Wild Dog’. Having previously worked with Director Kim on ‘Wild Dog’, Byun Yo-han will play a mysterious key figure who shares a close narrative with the lead couple.
The fourth installment of the ‘Tazza’ series, ‘Tazza: Song of Beelzebub’, is also slated for release this year. This crime entertainment film follows Jang Tae-young (Byun Yo-han), who thought he had everything through the poker business, and his best friend Park Tae-young (Roh Jae-won), who took everything from him, as they meet again in a high-stakes global gambling match for a life-or-death showdown. Director Choi Kook-hee, who helmed ‘Default’, is at the helm. Since the first film in 2006, the ‘Tazza’ series has become a representative franchise of the crime entertainment genre. This latest entry promises fresh excitement with the new pairing of Byun Yo-han and Roh Jae-won.
He has been incredibly hardworking! Byun Yo-han already met global audiences in February through the Netflix film ‘Pavane’, a story about three people who close their hearts but eventually become light for one another, facing life and love. Byun Yo-han led the story as the free-spirited Yohan. His schedule remains packed with upcoming projects; filming for the movie ‘Pamun’ is currently underway, and he was recently cast as the lead in the film ‘Adenman’.
For an actor, their projects define their standing. Since acting is a profession where one must be chosen, Byun Yo-han is clearly an actor who holds the industry’s trust. After making a name for himself in independent films, he caught the public’s eye in 2014 as Han Seok-yul in tvN’s ‘Misaeng’. Since then, he has showcased a wide acting spectrum in films like ‘Social Phobia’, ‘Will You Be There?’, ‘The Book of Fish’, ‘Voice’, and ‘Hansan: Rising Dragon’, as well as dramas like ‘Mr. Sunshine’, ‘Death to Snow White-Black Out’, and ‘Uncle Samsik’. He is praised for adding his own unique color to every role, from raw youth to heavy historical dramas.
However, there have been some disappointments in terms of commercial success. While his acting consistently receives praise, not every project has translated into the expected level of buzz. In particular, last year’s Disney+ original series ‘Uncle Samsik’ garnered high expectations due to its star-studded lineup including Song Kang-ho, Byun Yo-han, and Lee Kyu-hyung, but it didn’t create a massive impact. Similarly, the film ‘Middle-earth’, released last year, drew attention as the first feature film utilizing AI technology but left something to be desired in terms of box office performance.
Despite this, expectations for Byun Yo-han remain high. Most notably, he is returning with genre pieces that are highly preferred by the public. The unique thrill of the ‘Tazza’ series and the recent resurgence of horror thrillers in theaters are aligning perfectly. Byun Yo-han has always been highly rated for his acting skills. Now, all he needs is a representative hit that will be remembered for its success. All eyes are on whether ‘Tazza: Song of Beelzebub’, ‘Razor’, and his other upcoming projects will serve as a new turning point for him.
