Who is Steven Yeun's wife Joana Pak? Inside love life of Asian-American actor of Korean descent in Oscar run

When Yeun landed the role in 'The Walking Dead', the couple successfully managed a long-distance relationship
PUBLISHED APR 25, 2021
Joana Pak and Steven Yeun attend the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 23, 2019 in Santa Monica, California (Getty Images)
Joana Pak and Steven Yeun attend the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 23, 2019 in Santa Monica, California (Getty Images)

'Minari' star Steven Yeun is making history with the 93rd Academy Awards where he will be the first Asian-American actor of Korean descent to receive the Best Actor nomination from Oscars. Along with his performance in 'Minari', Steven Yeun has been consistently delivering iconic roles in 'Walking Dead', 'Burning' and more. Prior to the Oscars 2021, here's a look at the actor's love life, long-time girlfriend turned wife Joana Pak, and the couple's extremely low-key public relationship.

Steven Yeun, the 37-year-old dashing Korean-American actor may appear as an outgoing person, but in reality, he has managed to keep his private life, well very 'private'. The 'Invincible' star married his longtime girlfriend, photographer Joana Pak in an intimate ceremony in 2015 which had some 'Walking Dead' cast members present including Sarah Wayne Callies.

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Steven Yeun and Joana Pak attend the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards (Getty Images)

Who is Joana Pak?

Joana Pak is a renowned photographer from Arkansas who studied at Columbia College. The 34-year-old is pretty much shy from the public but as far as her photographic ventures are concerned, she particularly enjoys capturing nature and also her close ones on camera.

Steven Yeun married her longtime photographer girlfriend Joana Pak in 2015 (Getty Images)

Then vs Now, how love bloomed between Yeun and Pak

Steven Yeun met Joana Pak in Chicago in 2009 when Pak was still in college. Yeun said in an interview, "She walked into the bar where I was a really s**tty bartender, and it was kismet. After that, I saw her every day for six months." When Yeun landed the role in 'The Walking Dead', the couple successfully managed a long-distance relationship. Pak recalled, "He was based in Atlanta for half the year. I was in Chicago. We were kind of everywhere."

Steven Yeun gets ready for the 26th annual Critics Choice Awards (Getty Images)

After six years of dating, Yeun proposed to Pak in August 2015 and the couple got married in the same year with a guest list of reported 220 people. Yeun said, "We didn't make anything sacred. [This] made the ceremony very relaxed and focused on a greater message of love." Pak’s sister-in-law, Kayce gushed, "Getting to celebrate the love between these two, last night, along with all their friends and family was so beautiful and special!! This whole week has been an awesome, family-filled, fun time and it's been so great! (We've also gained a brother in-law from it!)"

(L-R) Joana Pak and Steven Yeun attend the 2019 Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 23, 2019 in Santa Monica, California (Getty Images)

The Married Life of Pak and Yeun

Steven Yeun and Joana Pak welcomed their first baby Jude Malcolm, on St Patrick’s Day in 2017. In 2019, Pak shared the happy news of welcoming their baby daughter on April 30 with a couple of (now deleted) adorable Instagram snapshots. From both the couple's IG feed, it appears that they intend to keep their family life away from the public view. Pak with over 88k followers currently has only picture on Instagram.



 

With the Oscars 2021 winners announcement moments away, Yeun fans are praying for the actor's much-deserving win with which he will become the first Korean-American actor to take that Academy Award of Best Actor home.

Excited for the Oscars 2021? The 93rd Oscars will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Union Station Los Angeles and the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and international locations via satellite. 'Oscars: Into the Spotlight' will air live on Oscar Sunday, April 25, on ABC at 6:30 pm ET/3:30 pm PT. The Oscars will be televised live on ABC at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT.

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