Yoo Ah In reveals he's a high school drop out, also encourages students to dare to be different

[loverboy.livejournal.com]

Actor Yu A-in revealed that he is a high school dropout during a press conference to promote his new movie “Wandeugi” yesterday.

While talking to the press about his character in the film, a rebellious student, Yu said that he can relate to the character and that he doesn’t have a lot of fond memories from his own school days.

He then said that he quit school during his first year of high school.

The actor took a high school equivalency exam after he quit and enrolled in the arts department at Konkuk University.

In revealing his past, Yu, known for his frank demeanor both on and off camera, also offered a bit of advice to teenagers, saying that he wishes that students would, from time to time, break away from their regular routines.

He added that if the behavior doesn’t cross the line, he wished that society would allow students room to deviate a bit from their studies so they can have a chance to discover themselves.

source: Korean Joongang Daily

Comments

[cookiedealer.livejournal.com]

Ah-in, I love you.
I might not always agree with what you say but I highly respect your courage to be the way you are in a country that doesn't encourage that at all.

(This has been another cookiedealer comment which is directly speaking to the artist, as if he's listening.)

[xmikutiax.livejournal.com]

I have no idea who he is but I love him already.

[pauljoy.livejournal.com]

Sungkyunkwan Scandal. Watch it!

[kawaiiairbender.livejournal.com]

on the radio today i think i heard that like 30% of hs students don't graduate in the US. :/

glad he still continued his education even though he dropped out. I wish there were more options in schooling because i think traditional course work doesn't work for everyone. I wonder how many students that drop out continue their education?

[taylorniw.livejournal.com]

It gets close to 50 percent if you go by county, but it's worth noting that places with high dropout rates tend to be poorer and with higher minority populations, so it's very much a socioeconomic issue, probably even more so than an education issue.

[platinumpair.livejournal.com]

I really respect him for his courage to break away from the norm. Can't wait to see his movie!

It's so true that some people just aren't made to go through a traditional education. Some people have opportunities that could change them for the better that they give up to continue school.

[laeryn.livejournal.com]

if the behavior doesn’t cross the line, he wished that society would allow students room to deviate a bit from their studies so they can have a chance to discover themselves.

I like this. I like this a lot, (and him, too).

[weerainbow.livejournal.com]

After learning a bit about what school life is like in Korea I see this as a very brave comment but a good one in a way because it seems like there is too much pressure on the students and they need a break from the norm at times. I hope his comment won't be taken too strongly but I do hope it helps people to see that life isn't all about succeeding as they see it.

[linzer-jello.livejournal.com]

He's looking fine as fuq. Isn't college for finding ourselves?
But seriously, I never ever studied in high school

[the-erotomanic.livejournal.com]

The actor took a high school equivalency exam after he quit and enrolled in the arts department at Konkuk University.

he did take an equivalency exam and still went to university, though. so i'm not sure what he's trying to say, cause in the end, he still ended up studying in a university like what most koreans are encouraged to do. :o\

but i do admire him for wishing "that society would allow students room to deviate a bit from their studies so they can have a chance to discover themselves."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_redneckbitchx/]

Yeah but from what I hear, high schools in Korea are a lot harder than universities are.

[the-erotomanic.livejournal.com]

i think it's a matter of different roads, same destination. he didn't really deviate much from everyone else, since he still went to a university. he just took the much easier way. nothing wrong with that, though.

[o-o-mai-o-o.livejournal.com]

High Schools in Korea are a stressful and high pressure environment. They study until about 11 o'clock at night, go to cram schools, get tutoring sessions, etc, just so they can get into certain colleges. But when they get into college, it's a lot more laid back and a lot easier. Kind of like the opposite in the U.S.

[the-erotomanic.livejournal.com]

i think it's a matter of different roads, same destination. he didn't really deviate much from everyone else, since he still went to a university. he just took the much easier way. nothing wrong with that, though.

[avieyal.livejournal.com]

From what I've seen about Yoo AhIn, he probably took it to further his career in the long run as opposed to going to college because its 'encouraged by society' or anything like that.

A lot of Kcelebs enroll into universities, (though some of them don't seem to actually attend) so I'm wondering if they enroll just to be "a proper role model" or because they were actually interested in it. It probably a safety net, since some of these these idols are so young and involved in such an volatile career.

[glider.livejournal.com]

I completely agree with him. I'm so tired of the compulsory education mold.

[kyttenfae.livejournal.com]

*massive hearts for him*

[very-pinku.livejournal.com]

At first I was like, 'are you going to say some mean things?'
But I agree with him about this. Students should be able to challenge themselves and discover themselves without the rigorous education system.
It's destroying the uniqueness and creativity each individual has within themselves.

[honeebs.livejournal.com]

There is a difference between a dropout and a dropout that took the exam and then went to university.
BIG difference.
I hear him all the same, *nod in agreement.

[a-perfect-shade.livejournal.com]

ia x100

[purring-feline.livejournal.com]

Yes. If he was belittling education, I would loose all respect.

[o-o-mai-o-o.livejournal.com]

Speak wise words, dude.
The South Korean education system is so scary omg. No wonder the suicide rate has doubled in the last ten years. GIVE THE KIDS A BREAK FROM TIME TO TIME. Studying 24/7 is not healthy and effective for the time and effort put into it.

[a-perfect-shade.livejournal.com]

maybe he doesn't have fond memories because he's a conceited asshole
oh well he's hot

[icedevil0289.livejournal.com]

lol yeah he's arrogant, but he always has interesting things to say and I enjoy reading his interviews. though wasn't happy about his reality show, but I believe he apologized for his behavior.

[dido-elizabeth.livejournal.com]

Did his reality show get better or worse in terms of his attitude after the first episode? I thought it was sort of interesting but I had to stop watching to preserve my love for.

[headswillroll88.livejournal.com]

How did he behave? I have no idea about his personality so that's why I'm asking.

[a-perfect-shade.livejournal.com]

awful. complete asshole. i loved him before the show, now i couldn't care less.

[icedevil0289.livejournal.com]

tbh I don't know. I only saw the first because that was the only one subbed at the time. I think the rest are subbed though, but like you I'd rather not watch.

I'm glad he apologized though. I remember reading it somewhere about how he wanted to show an honest side, but then realized there is a difference between being rude and honest.

[a-perfect-shade.livejournal.com]

i don't mind him in interviews etc, it's that show that made him look awful. it was so extreme it didn't even seem scripted.

[suzieeq-luv.livejournal.com]

I like Ah In's frankness and hearing what he has to say. Still need to get around to watching his reality show.

Random tho because he keeps getting roles as students ...
At least SKKS and this new movie.

[a-perfect-shade.livejournal.com]

don't watch the reality show, you'll lose any admiration for him

[vaguelynormal.livejournal.com]

I think it's good for students to have role models who don't follow the traditional courses and it's about time education changed and catered to the needs of students and not the other way around. He has my respect.

[sujuhigh.livejournal.com]

i love him and how honest he is.
<3

[bumie.livejournal.com]

I need a new Drama not a movie and I love him but I don't know him , I agree with this "he wished that society would allow students room to deviate a bit from
their studies so they can have a chance to discover themselves."
schools in korea are so stressful

[song-jihyuk.livejournal.com]

flawless oppar~

[kanbinayume.livejournal.com]

I love this man so much.

[noirsama.livejournal.com]

hello there cutie,

[ifoopafo.livejournal.com]

he is so fine
totally loved him in SKS

[purring-feline.livejournal.com]

Even though I don't agree at all, good for you sexy! Students should take a year of after they finish school and before entering uni to relax/work/be themselves if they want to. Education is a must!

[x3sarang.livejournal.com]

"he wished that society would allow students room to deviate a bit from their studies so they can have a chance to discover themselves"

Thank you. Education is important but not to the point where they don't get a chance to find out what they like and who they are. Seems to me that for a lot of children forced to do well academically in asian nations their identities are getting lost especially during those years where you need a bit of deviance to find the stuff that suits you.

[sirhin.livejournal.com]

At first, I was like, "WHAT," when I thought he was encouraging kids to drop out... But then I read along and I decided that I agree with him. Korean students are too sheltered in a sense that their lives revolve around school and even more school. Then once they get older, it revolves around work. -__-; It would be nice if they stepped out of the box from time to time.

It would definitely make my job a lot easier. :) Anywho, goooo Ah-in!!! ♥ After all, learning in the classroom isn't all that great. :/

[moronicus-kyla.livejournal.com]

High school in South Korea could be such a bitch. All the stress really changes people. I have this Korean friend who studied with me in our country from 6th grade to freshman year in high school. She's really smart and she's one of the sweetest, most optimistic people I've ever met. The moment she went back to Korean high school the following year, she turned into this cynical void of depression on her Twitter because of her 18 hour study schedule T___T I felt so bad for her omg.

Yoo Ah In's right, kids need a break and school shouldn't be made into such a chore. How can people really LEARN if they're in an environment that forces things down their throats and doesn't really stimulate them?