Beef: Why Steven Yeun's Performance As Danny Made Him Break Out In Hives

The ruminative, revenge-focused "Beef" has been lauded by fans and critics alike for its wit, effective narrative choices, and intensity, with many considering it to be one of Netflix's best offerings in recent years. One of the best parts of the miniseries? Steven Yeun and Ali Wong's dominating performances. Both appear as star-crossed adversaries, ready to destroy one another in pursuit of sweet, sweet revenge. Of course, there's more to their saga of anger and obsession than just comeuppance, which is why "Beef" has struck a chord with so many around the world, in part due to Yeun and Wong's masterclass performances.

Because their characters are so angry and bitter, it's no surprise that physical reactions to their wrath manifested. While speaking with Variety, the "Beef" stars opened up about how both of them broke out in hives because of their performances. "Our bodies shut down," Yeun said about the physical toll. "If we knew what we were going to put our bodies and minds through, maybe we wouldn't have said yes, but we're really glad we did," Wong added.

Take a brief look at any clip from "Beef" featuring Yeun and Wong and it's easy to see just how demanding their characters are. For Yeun, however, the hives were a reminder of how he interacted with and thought of Danny as an individual. 

While speaking with The Hollywood Reporter during the outlet's "Comedy Actors Roundtable," Steven Yeun candidly discussed how playing the role of Danny required emotional maturity, which is why he was glad to receive the role now, as opposed to earlier in his career. As the conversation continued, the actor touched upon the importance behind the hives, and how they made him understand Danny on a deeper, more personal level. In wanting to play the character authentically is where the hives came from, Yeun suggested. "Every day was walking into set being like, 'Oh, Danny is so [expletive] up. He's doing some gnarly things,'" Yeun said, on the weight of taking on the character. "Beef" fans continue to discuss Danny's actions, and how they've impacted both himself and loved ones.  

The actor continued by pointing out the choices Danny makes throughout the show, which he deemed as neither good nor bad. As an actor, Yeun explained that he didn't want to justify Danny's choices, but rather "feel" as to why the character would make them. The character's compelling choices have made him a fan-favorite/hated, depending on which side of the "Beef" coin you land on. Attempting to be empathetic towards Danny was not a light exercise for Yeun, who described it as "holding a lot." When it came time to wrap up "Beef," Yeun ruminated on how he didn't "let Danny go" but rather absorbed him. "[I] was letting the shame of Danny go and I think the shame was the hives," Yeun said. "It was hilarious, it was all over my body I was like what the [expletive] is happening."