Seo Kang-joon
Seo Kang-joon
Seo in 2018
Born Lee Seung-hwan
October 12, 1993 (age 30)
Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea
Education Dong Seoul University
(Performing Arts)
Actor
Occupations
singer
model
Years active 2012–present
Agent Man of Creation (M.O.C)
Musical career
Instrument(s) Piano
Labels Fantagio
Formerly of 5urprise
Korean name
Hangul 서강준
Revised Romanization Seo Kang-jun
McCune–Reischauer Sŏ Kang-chun
Birth name
Hangul 이승환
Hanja 李承桓
Revised Romanization Lee Seung-hwan
McCune–Reischauer Lee Sŭng-hwan
Lee Seung-hwan (Korean: 이승환; born October 12, 1993), known professionally as Seo Kang-
joon (서강준), is a South Korean actor and singer who was a member of the group 5urprise. He
gained recognition with his role in the television series Cheese in the Trap (2016) and has since
starred in Entourage (2016), Are You Human? (2018), The Third
Charm (2018), Watcher (2019), When The Weather Is Fine (2020), and Grid (2022).
Early life and education[edit]
Seo Kang-joon was born Lee Seung-hwan in Gunpo, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.[1] In the
second year of secondary school, Seo went to study abroad in Malaysia for one year and seven
months and returned to Korea in the first year of high school. After his debut, he enrolled at the
Faculty of Performing Arts of Dong Seoul College.[2] Seo worked part-time as a model before his
debut. After passing the audition for Actor's League, a program with the aim of searching for
new actors organized by Fantagio, Seo underwent training before debuting in the group 5urprise.
[3]
Career[edit]
2012–2015: Beginnings[edit]
Seo took on bit parts in various television series, before making his acting debut as with a
supporting role in SBS' drama The Suspicious Housekeeper.[4] His first major role was in the
2014 romantic comedy series Cunning Single Lady,[5] for which he won the Best New Actor
award at the 7th Korea Drama Awards.[6] He has then appeared in television dramas What
Happens to My Family? (2014–2015),[7][8] Splendid Politics (2015),[9] and To Be Continued (2015),
[10]
as well as films My Love, My Bride (2014) and Summer Snow (2015).[11][12]
In 2014, Seo joined the SBS variety show Roommate as a cast member.[13][14] He also appeared
on Law of the Jungle as a guest.[15]
2016–present: Rising popularity and leading roles[edit]
Seo's breakout role came in 2016 as a talented pianist in the college romance drama Cheese in
the Trap.[16][17][18] The same year, he starred in his first leading role in tvN drama Entourage, the
Korean remake of the American television series of the same name.[19][20]
In 2018, Seo starred in KBS's science fiction drama Are You Human? where he played double
roles as a wealthy heir and robot.[21][22] The same year, he starred in romance comedy drama The
Third Charm.[23]
In 2019, Seo starred in OCN's thriller drama Watcher as a policeman.[24] He was cast in
the JTBC romance drama When the Weather Is Fine, which aired in the first half of 2020.[25]
In 2022, Seo starred in Disney+ (Star) thriller drama Grid as an employee of the Grid Bureau.[26]
Personal life[edit]
Military service[edit]
On November 8, 2021, it was reported that Seo would enlist in the military on November 23,
2021.[27] Later the same day, Seo's agency confirmed that he would enlist in the military on
November 23, without revealing his location.[28] Seo received the division commander's
commendation for excellent performance in basic military training.[29] Seo was discharged from
military service on May 22, 2023 after serving as an active duty soldier for 18 months.[30]
Filmography[edit]
Film[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2014 My Love, My Bride Joon-soo [11]
The Beauty Inside Kim Woo-jin Cameo [31]
2015
Summer Snow Han Sang-gyu [12]
A Year-End
2021 Lee Kang TVING film [32]
Medley
Television series[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2012 To the Beautiful You Student Bit part (ep. 3, 7)
2013 Good Doctor Disorderly student Bit part (ep. 12)
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
The Suspicious Housekeeper Choi Soo-hyuk [4]
Haneuljae's Murder Yoon-ha Drama special [33]
Cunning Single Lady Gook Seung-hyun Main role [5]
2014
What Happens to My
Yoon Eun-ho [7]
Family?
2015 Splendid Politics Hong Joo-won [9]
Cheese in the Trap Baek In-ho [16]
2016 Entertainer Lee Sang-won Cameo (ep. 7–8) [34]
Entourage Cha Young-bin [19]
Are You Human? Nam Shin / Nam Shin III [22]
2018
The Third Charm Oh Joon-young [23]
2019 Watcher Kim Young-goon [24]
2020 When the Weather Is Fine Im Eun-seob [25]
Web series[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
After School: Lucky or
2013 Seo Kang-joon [35]
Not
2014 The Best Future Choi Go [36]
2015 To Be Continued Ah-rin's older brother [10]
Cameo
2017 Idol Fever Do-yun's older brother [37]
2021 Love Refresh Seo Nam-joo [38]
2022 Grid Kim Sae-ha / Kwon Sae-ha / younger Soo-geun [26]
Television shows[edit]
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
2014–2015 Roommate Seasons 1–2 [13]
Cast member
Law of the Jungle in
2016 [15]
Tonga
Discography[edit]
See also: 5urprise § Discography
Year Song Title Album Notes Ref.
Are You
2018 "You Are My Love" [39]
Human? OST
Awards and nominations[edit]
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, work(s) nominated / nominee(s) of the award, and the resul
Award ceremony Year Category Work(s) / Nominee(s)
2016 Best Entertainer Award, Actor
Asia Artist Awards Seo Kang-joon
2017 Best Icon Award, Actor
2014 Best New Actor Cunning Single Lady
Excellence Award, Actor
Korea Drama Awards 2015 Splendid Politics
Hot Star Award
2018 Excellence Award, Actor Are You Human?
2014 Best New Actor What Happens to My Family
Excellence Award, Actor in a Mid-length
Are You Human?
KBS Drama Awards Drama
2018
Seo Kang-joon (with Gong Se
Best Couple yeon)
Are You Human?
MBC Drama Awards 2014 Best New Actor Cunning Single Lady
SBS Entertainment Awards 2014 Best Male Newcomer Roommate
Seoul International Youth Film
2014 Best New Actor Cunning Single Lady
Festival
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, work(s) nominated / nominee(s) of the award, and the resul
Award ceremony Year Category Work(s) / Nominee(s)
tvN10 Awards 2016 Made in tvN, Actor in Drama Cheese in the Trap
