Meet Anita Yoo | Actress and filmmaker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Anita Yoo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Anita, what is the most important factor behind your success?
Looking back at the extensive international career that I have succeeded in crafting for myself over the past 15 years I would say the most important factor was to keep saying yes to things even thought they might seem crazy and unattainable at first. I have always wanted to act, ever since I was little, and when the opportunity to move to Shanghai presented itself, I took the leap of faith, even thought back then I had no idea that acting in Chinese TV and film as a foreigner was even a thing. I kept manifesting and researching, showing up to castings and auditions, while I was studying Mandarin in a university in China and soon enough I booked my first TV show called “True Color of Beauty” about the women during WWII.
It has been a crazy ride since then, acting in over 30 productions in China, the US and my native Estonia.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a working actor in the US, China and Europe. What gives me the opportunity to do so is being fluent in five languages (English, Estonian, Russian, Mandarin Chinese and French) as well as keeping an open mind about what a successful acting career might look like. I am constantly auditioning and looking for opportunities internationally. It was not easy setting up this business model either and you have to be ready to have callbacks with Europe when it’s 3am in LA. All of this is a long time of trial and errors and being persistent.
Actors who want to try breaking into other markets than LA should be ready to face a lot of challenges on the way but for sure it will all be worth it in the end. It might not happen from first try, but with dedication anything is possible.
Personally, I am most proud of being able to adapt quickly and feel comfortable on sets in different countries, be it filming The Old Man in Los Angeles or filming Detective Chinatown 1900 in the middle in nowhere in Shandong, China.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
A perfect week for me in LA would be going to the Hollywood Bowl, seeing a comedy show at the Hollywood Improv, go on as many hikes as physically possible, definitely have dim sum with all my friends at NBC seafood in SGV. I would love a stroll down Ventura Blvd for some shopping and see a movie at The Grove. For new restaurants I love trying places in Ktown. My all time favorites in Ktown are Sulbing shaved ice place and Myondong Kyoja for noodles.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Early on in my career I have realised that nothing is possible without the help of others. My agents at Lemon Lime Agency were of massive help securing the auditions I needed as well as my friends who believed in me even in the most difficult times. Once I have moved to LA, I started attending Margie Haber Studio classes with Diane Charles. She helped me get rid of my imposter syndrome and really believe that I am a good actor and worthly of booking in the US.

Website: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm9080688/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsanitayoo/

Image Credits
Paul Smith (3rd picute)