Young Mazino is a rising star in the entertainment industry, best known for his role as Paul Cho in the Netflix series Beef. The actor has received critical acclaim and an Emmy nomination for his performance, but he also has a fascinating background that shaped his journey. Who are Young Mazino’s parents, and how did they inspire him to pursue his passion?
Young Mazino’s real name and ethnicity
Young Mazino was born as Christopher Young Kim on August 27, 1991, in Montgomery County, Maryland, USA. He is of Korean descent, as both of his parents are immigrants from South Korea. According to Legit, his father came to the US at the age of 16, while his mother followed later. They met at a conservatory in Korea, where they both studied music.
Young Mazino’s parents are gifted musicians who play classical instruments. His father is a cellist, and his mother is a pianist. They encouraged their son to learn music from a young age, and he started playing the violin at four. He also participated in school musical events and developed an interest in acting.
Young Mazino changed his screen name when he joined the Screen Actors Guild in 2018, because there were too many people with his legal name. He chose the name Mazino after a character from a Korean manhwa (comic) called Tower of God, created by an artist named Slave in Utero. He felt a connection with the character and decided to adopt his name, keeping his middle name as well.
Young Mazino’s education and career
Young Mazino attended the University of Maryland, but he dropped out in 2013 to pursue acting. He moved to New York City and enrolled in the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, where he trained for a year. He also worked as a surf rescue technician in Ocean City, Maryland, and as a business intelligence analyst for a cosmetics company before becoming a full-time actor.
Young Mazino made his debut in 2013 in a short film called Digging, written and directed by Alvin Adadevoh. He then appeared in several other short films and television shows, such as Blindspot, New Amsterdam, Blue Bloods, Tommy, and Prodigal Son. He also performed live theater in New York, playing the role of Lieutenant Saito in the off-Broadway production of Comfort Woman in 2017.
Young Mazino’s breakthrough role came in 2023, when he was cast as Paul Cho, the younger brother of Steven Yeun’s character, in the Netflix series Beef. The series follows the lives of two people who become involved in a road rage incident that escalates into a violent feud. Young Mazino’s portrayal of Paul, a troubled and rebellious teenager, earned him rave reviews and an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie.
Young Mazino has also appeared in a music video for Snooze by SZA, where he played a cameo role. He is currently working on his next project, a film called Good Boy, where he plays the lead role of Joon Kim, a young man who struggles with his identity and sexuality.
Young Mazino’s personal life and hobbies
Young Mazino is currently single and focused on his career. He lives in Los Angeles, California, where he enjoys the sunny weather and the diverse culture. He is fluent in English and Korean, and he also speaks some Spanish and Mandarin. He is a Christian and attends a Korean church in LA.
Young Mazino is a man of many talents and interests. He is a classically trained musician who plays the violin, piano, guitar, and ukulele. He is also a martial artist who has a first-degree black belt in taekwondo. He loves traveling and exploring new places, and he once cycled across the US from the border of Mexico to Canada with his friend. He also wants to backpack across Korea with his friend someday.
Young Mazino is an inspiration to many aspiring actors and artists, especially those from minority backgrounds. He has overcome many challenges and obstacles to achieve his dreams, and he credits his parents for their support and guidance. He once said in an interview with Timid:
My parents are my heroes. They sacrificed so much for me and my sisters. They taught me to work hard, to be humble, and to be grateful. They also taught me to love God and to love people. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.