Yuko Fueki (born June 21, 1979) is a prominent Japanese actress who achieved rare “crossover” success in both Japan and South Korea. Known as Yoo Min (유민) in Korea, she became a cultural icon in the early 2000s as one of the first Japanese stars to find mainstream popularity in the Korean entertainment industry.
The Dual Identity: Yuko Fueki vs. Yoo Min 🎭
Fueki’s career is unique because she effectively maintained two parallel public personas:
- Yoo Min (South Korea): She debuted in Korea in 2001 and quickly became a “sweetheart” of the Hallyu wave. Her popularity was bolstered by her roles in high-profile K-Dramas like All In (2003) and her frequent appearances on popular variety shows like X-Man, where her “pure” image and efforts to learn Korean won over the public.
- Yuko Fueki (Japan): In her home country, she is respected as a versatile supporting and lead actress, appearing in long-running franchises and prestige dramas.
Career Milestones 📽️
| Era | Key Works | Role/Significance |
| The Debut (2001) | Hotaru (Firefly) | Her feature film debut in Japan. |
| The Korean Peak (2003) | All In | Played Rie, a Japanese business associate, in one of the most successful K-Dramas of all time. |
| The Action Phase (2009–13) | Iris & Iris II | Played Eriko Sato, a Japanese intelligence agent, bridging the gap between the two industries. |
| Recent (2022–2024) | My Ex-Boyfriend’s Last Will | Continued her steady presence in Japanese television (Fuji TV). |
Current Projects (2025–2026) 📡
As of early 2026, Fueki remains active in the Japanese entertainment industry while maintaining her legacy in Korea.
- Acting: She recently appeared in the 2024 film Ito and Her Brothers (Uchi no Otouto-domo ga Sumimasen) as Saho Narita.
- Reality TV & Hosting: In late 2023 and into 2024, she stepped into a hosting role for the Netflix series Love Like a K-Drama. This was a “full circle” moment for her, as the show features Japanese actresses traveling to Korea to act in K-Dramas, mirroring her own career path.
- Regional Presence: While she primarily resides and works in Japan now, she is frequently cited in Korean media as the “original” Japanese-born star who paved the way for modern K-Pop and K-Drama stars of Japanese descent (like TWICE’s “Sana, Momo, Mina” or LE SSERAFIM’s Sakura).
Cultural Legacy 🏛️
Fueki’s career began during a period when cultural exchange between Japan and Korea was still strictly regulated or socially sensitive. By successfully navigating both markets, she served as an informal cultural ambassador. Her “Yoo Min” era is still remembered fondly by older K-Drama fans for its contribution to the “Gold Era” of Korean variety and drama.
Last Updated on 2 hours ago by pinc