Seo Sang-won

Seo Sang-won (, November 11, 1967) is a South Korean actor. He has appeared in supporting roles in various films and television dramas, but is better known for his work as a stage actor. His most known works in television series are Record of Youth, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021) and Queen of Tears (2024).

Education In 1986, Seo enrolled in the Department of Tourism Management at Catholic Kwandong University. During his studies, he was an active member of the university theater club, "Gil Donga People." Seo's interest in a performing arts career developed during a period of travel in Europe, where he observed the professional pride and public reception of street performers. This experience led him to re-evaluate his career goals; although he initially sought corporate employment for financial stability, he chose to pursue theater professionally in 1992.

Career

Beginning In 1992, Seo briefly worked in the sales department of Hyundai Motor Company before joining the Theatre Company Michu. During his five-year tenure with the company, he gained experience in translation, creative writing, and performance. His credits with the troupe include General Oh's Claw by Park Jo-yeol, Namsadang Sky, and several MBC Madangnori productions. The production featured a contemporary reimagining of the classic play; Seo's Hamlet was depicted wearing modern clothing and carrying a pistol, while Claudius was portrayed as a democratic leader. For his performance, Seo received the Best Actor award at the 2008 Korea Drama Awards and a 2008 Commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

In 2008, the NTCK and director Jens-Daniel Herzog collaborated again for a second run of Terrorist Hamlet, staged as the 210th "World Masterpiece Stage" regular performance. Seo reprised his role as Hamlet.

Career as freelance actor In 2011, Seo performed alongside Kim Young-pil, Kim Joo-wan, and Jeon Mi-do in the play The Author by British playwright Tim Crouch. Directed by Kim Dong-hyeon, the production served as the inaugural entry in the Doosan Art Center's "Borderline" series. The play is characterized by its experimental structure, which blurs the distinction between the performers and the audience while examining the psychological impact of violent theatrical content on both creators and viewers.

Seo made his television debut in 2017 with a minor role as a pastor in the series Prison Playbook. Following this debut, he continued to take primarily minor and supporting roles in television and film while maintaining his focus on theater. In 2019, he made a cameo appearance in the independent film Lucky Chan-sil.

Filmography Film

Television +List of television series Year Title Role Note English Original 2017 Prison Playbook 슬기로운 감빵생활 Pastor's prison guard tvN 2018 KBS Drama Special:"Review Notebook of My Embarrassing Days" Professor Bong KBS My Mister 나의 아저씨 Go Jin-beomtvN Mr. Sunshine 미스터 션샤인 Go Sa-Hong's relative ep.10 2019 Her Private Life 그녀의 사생활 Noh Seok Photographer Be Melodramatic 멜로가 체질 Jin-joo's father JTBC Vagabond 배가본드 Choi Jeong-woon – Airplane captain SBS TV 2020 My Unfamiliar Family아는 건 별로 없지만 Yoo Seon-il tvN Melting Me Softly날 녹여주오 Doctor Yoon Record of Youth청춘기록 Won Tae-kyeongMore Than Friends경우의 수 Kyung Man-ho JTBC True Beauty여신강림 Kang Joon-hyuk tvN Sell Your Haunted House Yang Woo-Jin's father KBS2 Ep. 1 2021 Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha 갯마을 차차차 Yoon Tae-ha tvN2023My Demon마이 데몬PriesttvN2024Queen of Tears눈물의 여왕Dr. Park Jin-kooktvN

Stage Theater

Theater performances started from 2001

Accolades Award +List of Award(s)AwardYearCategoryWorksResult Korean Drama Award 2008 Best Actor Terrorist Hamlet

State honors + List of State Honour(s) Country Organization Year Honor South Korea The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism 2008 Commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourismfor play Terrorist Hamlet 2010 Commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and TourismFor former members of the National Theater Company