Seo Yea-ji

Seo Yea-ji (; born April 6, 1990)

She next starred in the MBC historical drama Diary of a Night Watchman (2014) where she essayed a major role for which she was nominated at the 2014 MBC Drama Awards in the Best New Actress category. This was followed by her appearance in tvN television series Super Daddy Yeol (2015) and notable JTBC television series Last (2015) starring as a civil servant.

After capturing viewers' attention through her drama Last, Seo made her debut on the big screen with the hit historical drama film The Throne (2015) where she played the role of Queen Jeongsun. This was followed by her film Circle of Atonement (2015). She also appeared in the music video of South Korean boy band Big Bang titled "Let's Not Fall In Love" (2015).

In 2016, she played one of the main characters in the KBS drama Moorim School: Saga of the Brave (2016) and marked next big-screen project with the film Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River (2016) in a supporting role. This was followed by supporting role in the KBS drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016–17).

Following the expiration of her contract with her management company in 2016, Seo left Made in Chan Entertainment and became associated with King Entertainment.

2017–present: Another Way and rising popularity

Starting of 2017 was marked by Seo's first leading role in the film Another Way (2017) which dealt with the issue of suicide pacts. Seo was praised from viewers as "New Thriller Queen" when she starred in OCN thriller mystery television series Save Me (2017).

She then starred in world's 1st 4DX VR Film Stay With Me (2018) opposite Kim Jung-hyun. She played a role of lawyer who finds it hard to control her temper in the tvN drama Lawless Lawyer (2018) alongside Lee Joon-gi. The series was a commercial hit and became one of the most highly rated Korean dramas in cable television history.

In 2019, she starred in the films Warning: Do Not Play and By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife Venture.

On January 1, 2020, Seo joined newly established entertainment agency Gold Medalist.

Seo's first venture with her new management company came with tvN and Netflix broadcast romantic comedy It's Okay to Not Be Okay (2020). She starred opposite Kim Soo-hyun and featured in the role of a bestselling children's book author who has a personality disorder. Her portrayal of the character was critically acclaimed by Manila Bulletin, The Hindu, and The New York Times named the series one of "The Best International Shows of 2020" and called Seo's performance as "mesmerizing". Seo also experienced a substantial rise in popularity and attracted media attention in Korea and internationally.

In 2021, she starred in a mystery-thriller film Recalled, directed by Seo Yoo-min alongside Kim Kang-woo which was a resounding success. It topped local box office on its opening weekend.

In 2022, Seo starred in the tvN melodrama Eve.

On November 30, 2023, Gold Medalist shared that Seo would be leaving the agency following her contract expiration.

In June 2024, Seo signed with new agency Sublime.

In January 2026, Seo made her theater debut in Crying for You as Yun Sim-deok. On July, 16, she signed an exclusive contract with B.Wave Entertainment.

Other ventures Ambassadorship In December 2018, Seo was appointed as an honorary police officer by the Korean National Police Agency for capturing the police's activities through movies and dramas.

Endorsements Seo became advertising model for health and beauty brand Inner Flora, health and lifestyle brands New Origin and Yuhan Care, mask brand Aer, sunglasses brand Rieti, and cosmetics brand Luna. Seo also appeared in CF series for Naver Webtoon.

Personal life In April 2021, Seo was accused of being the reason behind Kim Jung-hyun's behavior at a 2018 press conference for The Time and his exit from the series. On April 12, South Korean local tabloid Dispatch revealed alleged text messages between Kim Jung-hyun and Seo, which showed the actress demanding Kim to refrain from any physical contact with female actors in the drama The Time.

In response, Seo's agency, Gold Medalist, denied the claim that she was the reason behind Kim's behaviour and abrupt exit from the series. They argued that "it is unreasonable to assume that a lead actor would make a decision that would jeopardize his career without free will", adding that they "confirmed" this with Kim Jung-hyun. The agency argued that messages exchanged between them were "very misleading" and were "merely jealous quarrels about shooting scenes". Amid these allegations, Seo withdrew from the ongoing production of the Korean drama Island. According to the production, her character would be recast and rewritten.

In May 2021, Kim Jung-hyun revealed that he had ended his contract with his agency, whom he accused of forcing the 2018 press conference on him despite his health problems. Kim added that he would pursue legal action against the agency for putting up false claims against him since that event. In addition, Kim also denied Seo has any involvement in how he acted, reiterating the issues on his health problems and company's mistreatment.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2013 Love Min-joo short film 2015 The Throne Queen Jeongsun Circle of Atonement Kang Yoo-shin 2016 Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River Gyu-young 2017 Another Way Jung-won The Bros Sa-ra Special appearance 2018 Stay With Me Yeon-soo 4DX VR film (also known as Meet the Memories - First Love) 2019 Warning: Do Not Play Mi-jung By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife Venture Seong Eun-yeong 2021 Recalled Soo-jin

Television series Year Title Role Notes 2013 Potato Star 2013QR3 Noh Soo-young 2014 Diary of a Night Watchman Park Soo-ryeon KBS Drama Special – "The Three Female Runaways" Soo-ji One-act drama Drama Festival – "Gabon" Kyung Hee 2015 Super Daddy Yeol Hwang Ji-hye Last Shin Na-ra 2016 Moorim School: Saga of the Brave Shim Soon-duk Another Miss Oh Oh Seo-hee Cameo (Episode 15) Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth 2017 Save Me Im Sang-mi 2018 Lawless Lawyer Ha Jae-yi 2020 It's Okay to Not Be Okay Ko Mun-yeong 2022 Eve Lee La-el

Television shows Year Title Role Notes 2015 MC Also known as Three Wheels

Web show Year Title Role Notes 2025 SNL Korea Reboot Cast member Season 7

Music video appearances Year Song title Artist 2015 "Let's Not Fall in Love" Big Bang

Musicals Year Title Role Notes 2026 Crying for You Yun Sim-deok Popular Star Award, Actress KT Seezn Star Award Seo Yea-ji Asia Artist Awards 2020 Best Artist Award It's Okay to Not Be Okay AAA Hot Issue Award Seo Yea-ji Baeksang Arts Awards 2017 Most Popular Actress – Film Another Way 2021 Best Actress – Television It's Okay to Not Be Okay Most Popular Actress Seo Yea-ji Brand of the Year Awards 2020 Actress of the Year Buil Film Awards 2020 Popular Star Award By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife Venture MBC Drama Awards 2014 Best New Actress Diary of a Night Watchman Soompi Awards 2019 Actress of the Year Lawless Lawyer