Teo Yoo, the actor known for his role in the Oscar-nominated film Past Lives, starred in an emotional moment on the red carpet at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood prior to the 96th edition of the Oscars. Yoo attracted attention by wearing a turtle brooch that had a very personal meaning.
Speaking to Variety, the actor shared that the brooch symbolized his beloved turtle, Momo, who passed away last year after accompanying him for a decade. The choice of the name Momo is a nod to Michael Ende's book, and for Yoo, the loss of her has left a deep void.
The actor revealed that Momo the turtle was not only a pet, but also an important part of his life. Despite his departure, Momo's memory lives on through the brooch that Yoo proudly wore on the red carpet.
"I was crying for about three days," Yoo admitted. "I was very dramatic. It's like that moment you have with your pet and you say, 'Oh my God, life is over.' And then you step back at the same time as an actor, and you look at the situation and you think, 'Oh my God, it's so dramatic and comical.'"
In Past Lives, Yoo plays Hae Sung, a Korean who reunites with his childhood crush, Nora, played by Greta Lee. The film follows their journey through New York, where they confront the complexities of their past relationships and the new challenges they face together.
Yoo did not receive an Oscar nomination personally, but the film was nominated for best picture and best original screenplay; although these awards went to Oppenheimer and Anatomy of a Fall, respectively.
