Kim Seon-ho spent almost a decade lighting up small theatre stages in Seoul before the rest of the world learned his name. He was born on May 8, 1986 (40 years old), in Seongbuk District, Seoul, South Korea.
He is a South Korean actor who moves easily between television, film, and live theatre.
His major break was in 2020 when he took on the role of the sharp but sensitive Han Ji-pyeong, a venture capitalist in Start-Up. The role won hearts across Asia and earned him the Baeksang Most Popular Actor Award.
A year later, he starred in the romantic comedy Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021). That performance made him Gallup Korea’s Television Actor of the Year.
He then proved his range on the big screen, taking home Best New Actor at both the Buil Film Awards and the Grand Bell Awards for the action thriller The Childe (2023).
Quick Facts of Kim Seon-ho
| Full Name | Kim Seon-ho |
| Profession | Actor |
| Age | 40 years old |
| Date of Birth | May 8, 1986 |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Taurus |
| Birthplace | Seongbuk District, Seoul, South Korea |
| Current Address | Seoul, South Korea |
| Gender | Male |
Kim Seon-ho Early Life and Education
Kim Seon-ho was born in Seongbuk District, Seoul, South Korea, and grew up as an only child in the Bongcheon-dong neighborhood.
His given name carries a gentle meaning. In Hanja, Seon-ho translates to “benevolent tiger,” a fitting mix for someone known today for both warmth and quiet intensity.
As a boy, he was shy, timid, and unsure of himself. He has often described his younger self as an introvert who found it hard to open up to others.
Kim has linked this shyness to a frightening event from his childhood. During a home robbery, his mother was attacked and injured while he stayed hidden, an experience that left a deep mark on him for years.
Acting slowly became his way of healing. In his third year of high school, a friend encouraged him to join an acting academy, and that small step gently pulled him out of his shell.
His parents stood firmly behind his choice. They supported his decision to pursue acting and helped fund his studies, giving him the freedom to chase a difficult dream.
Education
After finishing high school, Kim enrolled at the Seoul Institute of the Arts in 2005, joining the Department of Broadcasting and Entertainment.
He devoted most of his energy to theater. As a member of the campus theater club, he performed in student productions like My Town, The Seagull, and Chunpung’s Wife.
His time there also placed him among a talented cohort that included actors Lee Si-eon, Lee Dong-hwi, and Kwon Hyuk-soo. He finished his studies and graduated in 2011.
| School | Yet to be updated |
| Alma Mater | Seoul Institute of the Arts |
| Highest Qualification | Graduate (Department of Broadcasting and Entertainment) |
Kim Seon-ho Personal Life
Kim Seon-ho is known for keeping his personal life quiet and away from the spotlight. He rarely shares details about his relationships in public.
Girlfriend and Relationships
As of now, Kim Seon-ho is single and unmarried. He has not confirmed any current relationship, so his dating status is yet to be updated.
He has spoken openly about love in a gentle, honest way. In interviews, he has described himself as someone who is cautious in relationships and needs plenty of time before opening his heart.
Kim has also shared a story from his younger years about a past relationship of about three years that ended during his military service. He once recalled trying hard to save it, an experience he has looked back on with humor and warmth.
In 2026, dating rumors linked him with his Can This Love Be Translated? co-star Go Youn-jung. Fans pointed to cozy photos and matching promotional images as clues. However, neither the actors nor their agencies confirmed any romance.
Parents
Kim Seon-ho is an only child and grew up in a supportive home in Seoul. His parents backed his dream of acting and helped fund his studies at the Seoul Institute of the Arts.
He has kept their identities private, and their names and professions are not confirmed in public, so it is yet to be updated.
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Girlfriend | Yet to be updated |
| Parents | Yet to be updated |
Kim Seon-ho Career
Kim Seon-ho built his career the slow and steady way, starting on small theatre stages before winning over television and film audiences. He is now counted among the most loved leading men in South Korean entertainment.
Theatre Beginnings (2009 to 2016)
Kim made his professional stage debut in 2009 in the long-running comedy New Boeing Boeing, an adaptation of a French play.
Over the next few years, he took on a wide mix of roles in Daehangno, Seoul’s busy theatre district. He played Dr. Watson in Sherlock: The Secret of Birlstone (2012) and led emotional dramas like Words I Couldn’t Say for 7 Years (2013 to 2014).
He also drew attention with the romantic comedy Rooftop House Cat and the intense drama True West, where he shared the role rotation with actors Lee Hyun-wook and Moon Sung-il.
In 2016, he joined the acclaimed play Closer alongside Bae Seong-woo, Seo Hyun-woo, Kim So-jin, and Park So-dam. His growing stage reputation earned him the fond nickname “theatre idol.”
Television Debut and Early Roles (2017 to 2018)
Kim stepped onto the screen in early 2017 with the hit workplace drama Good Manager, led by Namkoong Min, Nam Sang-mi, Lee Jun-ho, and Jung Hye-sung. He played the accounting employee Seon Sang-tae.
He then landed his first screen lead in the youth drama Strongest Deliveryman (2017) opposite Go Kyung-pyo, Chae Soo-bin, and Go Won-hee.
Later that year, he starred in the action comedy Two Cops (2017) with Jo Jung-suk and Lee Hye-ri. His sly con artist role won him two prizes at the MBC Drama Awards.
In 2018, he took his first full lead in the short drama You Drive Me Crazy opposite Lee Yoo-young. That same year, he shone in the historical hit 100 Days My Prince (2018), which starred Do Kyung-soo and Nam Ji-hyun, with Jo Sung-ha and Han So-hee in a key role.
Rising Recognition (2019 to 2020)
Kim joined the comedy series Welcome to Waikiki 2 (2019), part of an ensemble with Shin Hyun-soo, Ahn So-hee, Moon Ga-young, Kim Ye-won, and Lee Yi-kyung.
He then led the crime drama Catch the Ghost (2019) opposite Moon Geun-young. Around the same time, he joined the popular variety show 2 Days & 1 Night Season 4.
His life changed in 2020 with Start-Up, which aired on tvN and Netflix. He starred as the sharp venture capitalist Han Ji-pyeong alongside Bae Suzy, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kang Han-na, and Kim Hae-sook.
The role made him a fan favorite across Asia and earned him the Baeksang Most Popular Actor Award.
Peak Stardom (2021)
In 2021, Kim carried the warm romantic comedy Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha opposite Shin Min-a, playing the kind village handyman Hong Du-sik.
The series became a global streaming hit, staying on Netflix charts for months and topping viewership in more than twenty countries. It also made him Gallup Korea’s Television Actor of the Year.
That same year, he released the single “Reason,” a gift for his fans and a sign of his growing bond with them.
Film Debut and Screen Expansion (2022 to 2024)
Kim made his big-screen debut in the action thriller The Childe (2023), sharing the screen with Kang Tae-joo, Kim Kang-woo, and Go Ara. His chilling turn as an eccentric killer won him Best New Actor at both the Buil Film Awards and the Grand Bell Awards.
He then led the streaming thriller The Tyrant (2024) on Disney+ with Cha Seung-won, Kim Kang-woo, and Jo Yoon-su.
For that role, he lost weight and studied for months to fully become his cold intelligence chief. He also released the single “Miracle” in 2024.
Recent and Upcoming Work (2025 to 2026)
In 2025, Kim made a memorable special appearance in the Netflix series When Life Gives You Tangerines, playing Park Chung-seop, the husband of a character played by IU.
In 2026, he returned to romance with the Netflix hit Can This Love Be Translated? opposite Go Youn-jung, with Sota Fukushi and Lee Yi-dam also in the cast. He played the multilingual interpreter Joo Ho-jin, and the show quickly reached number one on Netflix’s non-English chart.
His upcoming tvN drama God Bless the Assemblyman pairs him with Kim Yoon-seok, Ryu Kyung-soo, and Ahn Eun-jin, where he plays civil servant Cha Jae-rim.
He is also set to reunite with his Start-Up co-star Bae Suzy in the Disney+ series Portraits of Delusion, and will appear in the crime series Unfriend alongside Park Gyu-young.
Kim Seon-ho Filmography
Kim Seon-ho has built most of his screen work in television and streaming, with one feature film to his name so far. The tables below cover his movies, television and streaming shows, and confirmed upcoming projects.
Kim Seon-ho Movies
| Year | Title | Role | IMDb |
| 2023 | The Childe | Gwigongja (Nobleman) | 6.9 |
Kim Seon-ho TV Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Platform | IMDb |
| 2017 | Good Manager | Seon Sang-tae | Rakuten Viki | 7.9 |
| 2017 | Strongest Deliveryman | Oh Jin-gyu | Netflix | 7.2 |
| 2017 | Two Cops | Gong Su-chang | Xstream | 7.1 |
| 2018 | You Drive Me Crazy | Kim Rae-wan | Prime Video | 7.3 |
| 2018 | Your House Helper | Cameo appearance | Prime Video | 6.9 |
| 2018 | 100 Days My Prince | Jung Jae-yoon | Netflix | 7.8 |
| 2019 | Welcome to Waikiki 2 | Cha Woo-shik | Netflix | 8.2 |
| 2019 | Catch the Ghost | Go Ji-seok | Prime Video | 7.3 |
| 2020 | Find Me in Your Memory | Seo Gwang-jin(Special appearance) | Rakuten Viki | 7.3 |
| 2020 | Start-Up | Han Ji-pyeong | Netflix | 7.9 |
| 2021 | Run On | Kim Sang-ho(Special appearance) | Netflix | 7.3 |
| 2021 | Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha | Hong Du-sik | Netflix | 8.3 |
| 2024 | The Tyrant | Director Choe | Disney+ | 6.7 |
| 2025 | When Life Gives You Tangerines | Park Chung-seob | Netflix | 9.0 |
| 2026 | Can This Love Be Translated? | Joo Ho-jin | Netflix | 7.8 |
Kim Seon-ho Upcoming Projects
| Year | Title | Role | Platform |
| 2026 | God Bless the Assemblyman | Cha Jae-rim | tvN |
| 2026 | Portraits of Delusion | Yun I-ho | Disney+ |
| 2026 | Unfriend | In-ho | TVING |
Kim Seon-ho Awards and Achievements
Kim Seon-ho has earned praise for his work across television, film, and theatre. His biggest honors came from Start-Up, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, and his film debut The Childe, which brought him both popularity awards and new actor trophies.
His Major Wins
- MBC Drama Awards (2017): Won the New Actor Award and the Excellence Actor Award for Two Cops (2017).
- KBS Entertainment Awards (2020): Won the Rookie Award for the variety show 2 Days & 1 Night.
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2021): Won the Most Popular Actor Award for Start-Up (2020).
- Gallup Korea (2021): Named Television Actor of the Year for Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021).
- Seoul International Drama Awards (2022): Won the Outstanding Actor Award for Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021).
- Buil Film Awards (2023): Won Best New Actor for The Childe (2023).
- Grand Bell Awards (2023): Won Best New Actor for The Childe (2023).
- Blue Dragon Film Awards (2023): Won the Chung Chung Won Popular Star Award.
- Seoul International Drama Awards (2025): Won the Outstanding Asian Star Award for The Tyrant (2024).
His Key Nominations
- KBS Drama Awards (2017): Nominated for Best New Actor for Good Manager (2017) and Strongest Deliveryman (2017).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2021): Nominated for Best Supporting Actor, Television, for Start-Up (2020).
- Blue Dragon Film Awards (2023): Nominated for Best New Actor for The Childe (2023).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2024): Nominated for Most Popular Actor and Best New Actor for The Childe (2023).
- APAN Star Awards (2024): Nominated for Popular Male Actor and Best Male Actor in a Short Film or Web Drama for The Tyrant (2024).
Other Recognitions
- Seoul International Drama Awards (2021): His character Han Ji-pyeong from Start-Up was named one of the Characters of the Year.
- Forbes Korea (2021): Featured on the Forbes Korea Power Celebrity 40 list.
Kim Seon-ho Controversies
Kim Seon-ho has largely kept a clean public image, but one major personal controversy in 2021 deeply affected his career for a time.
The “Actor K” allegations and public apology (2021): In October 2021, soon after Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha ended, an anonymous woman posted online claiming that an unnamed “Actor K” had pressured her into an abortion while they dated. Many online users linked the post to Kim, and on October 20, 2021, he issued a public apology through his agency, admitting he had hurt her through his carelessness.
Brand fallout and exit from a variety show (2021): As the story spread, several brands paused or removed campaigns featuring him, and he stepped down from the KBS variety show 2 Days & 1 Night. He also withdrew from film projects he had been attached to.
Later reports that challenged the claims (2021): The woman soon posted again, saying she had received a personal apology from him and that there had been misunderstandings between them. In October 2021, Korean outlet Dispatch published a report citing close acquaintances that disputed key parts of her account. After this, some brands resumed their campaigns and the film The Childe kept him in its cast.
Renewed backlash over his return to big projects (2026): As Kim signed on to major titles like the tvN drama God Bless the Assemblyman and the Disney+ series Portraits of Delusion, some online users revisited the old controversy and criticized his return. Others welcomed him back, showing that public opinion remained divided.
Kim Seon-ho Net Worth
Kim Seon-ho’s net worth has not been officially declared by him or his agency. Because of this, most figures found online are estimates.
His net worth is estimated at around $5 million to $12 million (approx. ₹48 crore to ₹115 crore). His income mainly comes from acting in television dramas and films, brand endorsements, and Asia fan meeting tours.
He has been a popular choice for advertisers across South Korea and Southeast Asia, which has added to his earnings. His per-project fees are estimated at around $40k to $80k (approx. ₹38 lakh to ₹77 lakh) per episode has not been officially published, so it is yet to be updated.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $5 million to $12 million (approx. ₹48 crore to ₹115 crore) |
| Salary (Approx.) | $40k to $80k (approx. ₹38 lakh to ₹77 lakh) per episode |
Kim Seon-ho Height, Weight and Physical Stats
| Height | In centimetres: 183 cm In meters: 1.83 m In feet & inches: 6 feet |
| Weight | In kg: 72 kg In lbs: 159 lbs |
| Body Measurements | Yet to be updated |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Kim Seon-ho Social media
 @seonho__kim | |
| X |  @kimseonho_jp |
Interesting Facts about Kim Seon-ho
- Dimple Prince: Fans lovingly call him the “Dimple Prince” because of his deep dimples. He has said he inherited them from his aunt.
- His fandom has a special name: Kim Seon-ho’s fans are known as “Seonhohada,” a warm community that has followed him from his theatre days to global stardom.
- A birthday tied to giving: His birthday, May 8, falls on World Red Cross Day. He often makes his donations to the Korean Red Cross around it, supporting young people leaving the foster care system.
- Quiet acts of charity: In 2022, he donated his entire theatre fee from the play Touching the Void to help victims of Typhoon Hinnamnor.
- Brave despite his fears: For his film The Childe, Kim performed many of his own stunts, including a jump from an overpass, even though he has a fear of heights.
- A viral smile: After When Life Gives You Tangerines, his wedding scene sparked the “Kim Seon-ho Smile Challenge” on Chinese social media, and singer Ariana Grande even shared the fan edits on her own accounts.
- A late first flight: Kim once shared that he did not board an airplane until he was 32 years old, when he traveled for a family occasion.
FAQs
How old is Kim Seon-ho?
He is (40 years old). He was born on May 8, 1986, in Seongbuk District, Seoul, South Korea.
What is Kim Seon-ho famous for?
He is best known for the dramas Start-Up (2020) and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021), and the film The Childe (2023).
Is Kim Seon-ho married?
No. Kim Seon-ho is single and unmarried, and he has not confirmed any current relationship.
How tall is Kim Seon-ho?
He stands about 183 cm, which is around 6 feet.
What happened with Kim Seon-ho in 2021?
An ex-girlfriend made personal allegations against him, and he apologized publicly. Later reports challenged parts of her account.
What are the upcoming projects of Kim Seon-ho?
His upcoming works include the tvN drama God Bless the Assemblyman and the Disney+ series Portraits of Delusion with Bae Suzy.
