In 2018, Yoo had the opportunity to be the main director for the KBS Drama Special 2018. She directed two one-act dramas, "Too Bright for Romance" and "Dreamers." Yoo made her official directorial debut with the fourth installment of KBS Drama Special 2018, "Too Bright for Romance," which aired on October 5, 2018. The drama was based on Kim Geum-hee's novel of the same name, which had won the grand prize at the 7th Young Artist Award in 2016.[3] Yoo reunited with Choi Kang-hee for this drama, and the cast also included Lee Won-keun, adding to the anticipation surrounding the project.[1]
Yoo then directed the seventh installment of KBS Drama Special 2018, "Dreamers," which aired on October 25, 2018. Written by Baek So-yeon), Dreamers depicts the story of Jin-wook (played by Lee Hak-joo) and Se-young (played by Kim Sae-byeok) who lose their loved ones and try to escape reality through dreams.[4] In both dramas, Yoo cast Kim Joo-hun after being impressed by one of his theater performances.[3]
In 2018, Yoo had an opportunity to be main director for KBS Drama Special 2019Socialization: Understanding of Dance. Yoo was awarded Minister Award (Grand Prize) in the drama category at the 22nd Media Award for Gender Equality[A] for her directing on the drama.[5]
In 2020, Yoo, along with actors Lee Sang-yeob and Lee Yoo-young, collaborated in KBS Drama SpecialTrace of Love. The drama, written by Jeong Hyun, portrays a heartfelt examination of a past relationship. The plot revolves around Lee Joo-young, an assistant manager at an architectural office, who is joined by her ex-boyfriend Ji-seop, played by Lee Sang-yeob, as they both delve into the remnants of their past romance. The drama offers viewers an opportunity to closely observe the intricacies of their journey.[6]
In 2020, Yoo directed her first series, How to Buy a Friend, which is based on the Daum webtoon 'Friendship Contract' by Laad Kwon and aired on KBS2 from April 6 to 14, 2020. The story follows two teenagers who enter into a contractual relationship: Heo Don-hyuk (Shin Seung-ho) promises to protect Park Chan-hong (Lee Shin-young) from his bully in exchange for help in uncovering the truth behind his girlfriend's suicide.[7] Yoo received favorable reviews for her sensuous and beautiful visualization and won the 243rd PD of the Month Awards.[6][8]
"In particular, director Yoo Young-eun was someone who trusted and waited for the moment when the true emotions of the actor and the role came out."
— Kang Han-na about Yoo Young-eun, Esquire Korea Interview[9]
In 2022, Yoo directed her first 16 episodes historical drama Bloody Heart. The series is a 2022 South Korean television show starring Lee Joon, Kang Han-na, Jang Hyuk, Park Ji-yeon, Heo Sung-tae, and Choi Ri. It aired on KBS2 from May 2 to June 21, 2022, every Monday and Tuesday. The show is also available for streaming on Disney+ in selected regions. Yoo explained that the Korean title 'Red Single Heart' refers to an unchanging, sincere heart, and promised an entertaining drama exploring the implications of a heart turning red. The series gained popularity for its stunning visuals and the outstanding performances of the actors who embodied their characters perfectly.[10][9]
In 2023, Yoo was reported as the director of the upcoming Hong Sisters' OTT romantic comedy Can This Love Be Translated?, which is set to premiere on Netflix in 2025.[11] On June 27, 2024, Netflix confirmed the production of the series and revealed the casting of Kim Seon-ho, Go Yoon-jung, Sota Fukushi, Lee Yi-dam, and Choi Woo-sung.[12] Go Youn-jung departed for Japan on June 24, 2024, for filming.[13] Production preparations were completed in June 2024, with filming starting shortly after in various locations such as Japan and Italy. The aim was to wrap up filming by early 2025. Trii Studio, a subsidiary of Imaginus, is overseeing the production.[14][15] Ryu Hyung-jin, vice president of production company Imaginus, disclosed that Studio Sot, run by the Hong Sisters, and Trii Studio, managed by female creators Kim Jin-yi, Lee Na-jeong, and Lee Yoon-jung, are both under the umbrella of Imaginus, under the leadership of CEO Choi Jin-hee.[16][17] Studio High will handle the visual effects of the drama.[18]
^ abThe Gender Equality Media Award is an awards ceremony organized by the Korea Gender Equality Education Promotion Agency under the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MOGEF). It was established in 1999 to recognize and honor broadcast reports that contribute to the promotion of gender equality values in South Korean society.[33]
^The PD of the Month Award, hosted by the Korea PD Association, pursues the public interest of broadcasting and encourages PDs and writers who produce programs that bring joy and emotion to viewers, improving program production conditions, promoting freedom of expression, and promoting public awareness. The purpose is to contribute to the development of broadcasting and society through rights protection.[35]
^The Golden Rose Award is an international award recognized for its history and authority, founded by the Swiss Broadcasting Company in 1961 and developed into a major event of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The purpose is to select and recognize outstanding and creative TV and radio program production.
^한국양성평등교육진흥원, 제22회 양성평등 미디어상 수상작 발표 [Korea Gender Equality Education Promotion Agency announces the winner of the 22nd Gender Equality Media Award]. Culture News (in Korean). 2020-12-03. Retrieved 2023-12-01.
^Park, Jin-young (April 24, 2024). "김선호x고윤정 '이 사랑 통역 되나요?', 넷플릭스行...대세 조합" [Kim Seon-ho x Go Yoon-jung 'Can this love be translated?', Netflix... trend combination]. Joy News 24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 24, 2024. Retrieved April 24, 2024.
^Park, Jin-young (June 27, 2024). "김선호x고윤정, '이 사랑 통역 되나요?' 출연 확정...후쿠시 소타 韓 데뷔" [Kim Seon-ho x Go Yoon-jung, 'Can this love be translated?' Confirmation of appearance... Fukushi Sota's debut in Korea]. 조이뉴스24 (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 27, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
^Jo, Eun-jung (June 24, 2024). "[사진]고윤정, '넷플릭스 촬영 위해 일본으로' : 네이트 연예" [[IMAGE] Go Yoon-jung, 'To Japan for Netflix Filming': Nate Entertainment]. Osen (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 24, 2024. Retrieved June 24, 2024 – via Nate.
^Ko, Jin-young (February 29, 2024). "[Film Making]이매지너스 '이 사랑 통역 되나요'...6월 촬영 돌입" [[Film Making]Imaginus 'Can this love be translated'... Filming started in June]. The Bell News (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 1, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
^"[인터뷰] 이제는 어떤 방식으로 협업하느냐가 훨씬 중요하다, 류형진 이매지너스 부대표" [[Interview] Now how to collaborate is much more important, Deputy President Ryu Hyung-jin Imaginus]. Cine21 (in Korean). March 8, 2024. Archived from the original on March 8, 2024. Retrieved March 8, 2024.
^Park, Mi-ae (2024-06-20). "[인터뷰] '전두광 머리' 완성한 그가 생각하는 "VFX의 역할은..."" [[Interview] He thinks that "VFX's role is..."]. Max movie (in Korean). Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
^The Golden Rose Award is an international award recognized for its history and authority, founded by the Swiss Broadcasting Company in 1961 and developed into a major event of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The purpose is to select and recognize outstanding and creative TV and radio program production.
^[이 배우가 궁금하다] '남자친구' 김주헌, 가벼움 속 반전의 비밀 [[I'm curious about this actor] 'Boyfriend' Kim Joo-heon, the secret of the reversal in lightness]. 헤럴드경제 (in Korean). 2018-12-31. Retrieved 2023-01-29.
^박, 진영 (2023-09-21). 고윤정, 김선호 만날까..."'이 사랑 통역 되나요?' 검토 중"(공식) [Go Yoon-jung, shall we meet Kim Seon-ho..."' Can this love be translated?' Under review" (official)]. 아이뉴스24 (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-12-04.
^Ko, Jin-young (2024-02-29). "[Film Making]이매지너스 '이 사랑 통역 되나요'…6월 촬영 돌입" [[Film Making]Imaginus 'Can this love be translated'... Filming started in June]. 더벨뉴스 (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-03-08.
^김, 미리 (2020-12-17). 유영은PD "양성평등 미디어상 최우수상 수상, 단막극 계속 제작된다면 다른 PD들도…" [Yoo Young-eun PD " Won the Grand Prize of the Gender Equality Media Award, and if the one-act play continues to be produced, other PDs will also…"]. MyDaily [ko] (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-11-30.
^한국양성평등교육진흥원, 제22회 양성평등 미디어상 수상작 발표 [Korea Gender Equality Education Promotion Agency announces the winner of the 22nd Gender Equality Media Award]. kpda (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-12-01.
^Baek, San-ha (2023-11-10). "KBS '붉은 단심', '귀못' 폴란드 국제영상페스티벌 공식 초청 | 방송기술저널" [KBS 'Red Sweet Heart', 'Ear Pond' Official Invitation to the Polish International Video Festival | Broadcast Technology Journal] (in Korean). Retrieved 2023-12-01.
