Seo Yea-ji is a magnetic South Korean actress. She was born on April 6, 1990 (36 years old) in Seoul, South Korea.
She works mainly in Korean television dramas and films, and has earned a massive international fanbase through her intense on-screen presence and distinctive deep voice.
Seo Yea-ji made her acting debut with the tvN sitcom Potato Star 2013QR3 (2013). She later gained wider attention through Save Me (2017) and Lawless Lawyer (2018). Her biggest breakthrough came with the romantic drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020), which The New York Times named one of the best international shows of that year.
For It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, she won the APAN Star Awards for Excellence Award and the Baeksang Arts Awards for Most Popular Actress. She also won the Asia Artist Awards for Best Artist in 2020.
In January 2026, she made her theatre debut with the stage play Hymn of Death at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul.
Quick Facts of Seo Yea-ji
| Full Name | Seo Yea-ji |
| Profession | Actress, Model |
| Age | 36 years old |
| Date of Birth | April 6, 1990 |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Zodiac/Sun Sign | Aries |
| Birthplace | Seoul, South Korea |
| Current Address | Yet to be updated |
| Gender | Female |
Seo Yea-ji Early Life and Education
Seo Yea-ji is a native of Seoul, South Korea. Not much is publicly known about her childhood or her family background, as she has kept most of her personal details private throughout her career.
She grew up in a well-educated family that supported her from a young age.
As a young girl, she once revealed that she used to feel insecure about her naturally deep voice. However, she later turned it into one of her strongest traits as an actress.
Education
Seo Yea-ji attended Youngwon Middle School in Seoul. She later studied at Youngshin High School.
After high school, she moved to Spain with the dream of becoming a television news presenter. She enrolled at the Complutense University of Madrid, Spain, where she took up journalism as her major, but she did not actually attend because she returned to Korea to pursue her entertainment career.
Her path changed when she returned to South Korea and caught the attention of the CEO of Made in Chan Entertainment, who persuaded her to try acting instead.
| School | Youngwon Middle School; Youngshin High School |
| Alma Mater | Complutense University of Madrid, Spain |
| Highest Qualification | Journalism (never attended university) |
Seo Yea-ji Personal Life
Seo Yea-ji is one of the most private celebrities in the South Korean entertainment industry. She has rarely spoken about her personal life in interviews and has kept most of her family and relationship details away from the public eye.
Relationships
As of now, Seo Yea-ji is not publicly dating anyone and appears to be single. She hasn’t confirmed any current relationship at this time.
Her only publicly known relationship was with South Korean actor Kim Jung-hyun. The two reportedly began dating around 2017 to 2018, during the time they worked together on the 4DX VR film Stay With Me (2018).
Parents
Seo Yea-ji comes from a well-educated family based in Seoul. However, she has never publicly revealed the names or professions of her parents. So it is yet to be updated.
She has mentioned in past interviews that her parents have always been supportive of her career, and that she resembles both of them but takes more after her mother in appearance.
Sibling
Seo Yea-ji is reported to be the only child in her family.
| Relationship Status | Single |
| Boyfriend | Yet to be updated |
| Parents | Yet to be updated |
Seo Yea-ji Career
Seo Yea-ji’s journey into acting was unplanned and unexpected. She originally dreamed of becoming a television news presenter, but a chance encounter with a talent agency CEO changed the course of her life and led her to become one of South Korea’s most captivating screen presences.
Early Career and Debut (2013 to 2014)
She made her entrance into the entertainment industry in March 2013 with an advertisement for SK Telecom. In May 2013, she featured in the Samsung Galaxy S4 short film Love, where she played the role of Min-joo.
She made her acting debut with the tvN sitcom Potato Star 2013QR3 (2013), which ran for 120 episodes. She shared the screen with Yeo Jin-goo, Go Kyung-pyo, Ha Yeon-soo, Lee Soon-jae, and Choi Song-hyun.
In 2014, she took on a major role in the MBC historical drama Diary of a Night Watchman (2014) alongside Jung Il-woo, Ko Sung-hee, and Yunho (U-Know Yunho of TVXQ). For this role, she was nominated for Best New Actress at the 2014 MBC Drama Awards.
Rising Through Television and Film (2015 to 2016)
In 2015, she appeared in the tvN drama Super Daddy Yeol (2015) with Lee Dong-gun and Lee Yu-ri, followed by the JTBC thriller drama Last (2015) alongside Yoon Kye-sang and Lee Beom-soo.
That same year, she made her big screen debut with the historical drama film The Throne (2015), starring alongside Song Kang-ho, Yoo Ah-in, and Moon Geun-young. She played the part of Queen Jeongsun. She also appeared in the film Circle of Atonement (2015) with Son Ho-jun and Kim You-jung.
In 2015, she featured in the music video for Big Bang’s hit song “Let’s Not Fall in Love,” appearing opposite G-Dragon.
In 2016, she played one of the main roles in the KBS fantasy drama Moorim School: Saga of the Brave (2016) alongside Lee Hyun-woo, Hongbin (of VIXX), and Jung Yoo-jin.
That year, she also appeared in the film Seondal: The Man Who Sells the River (2016) with Yoo Seung-ho, Ko Chang-seok, and Xiumin (of EXO), and took on a supporting role in the KBS drama Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (2016) with Park Seo-joon, Go Ara, Park Hyung-sik, Choi Minho (of SHINee), and Kim Taehyung (V of BTS).
Establishing as a Lead Actress (2017 to 2018)
In 2017, she starred in her first lead film role in Another Way (2017) with Kim Jae-wook.
Her performance in the OCN thriller Save Me (2017) became a turning point in her career. She played Im Sang-mi, a young woman trapped inside a dangerous religious cult. The drama also starred Ok Taec-yeon, Woo Do-hwan, and Jo Sung-ha. Viewers began calling her the “New Thriller Queen” for her intense portrayal.
In 2018, she starred in the 4DX VR film Stay With Me (2018) opposite Kim Jung-hyun. She then took on the lead role of Ha Jae-yi in the tvN legal drama Lawless Lawyer (2018) alongside Lee Joon-gi, Lee Hye-young, and Choi Min-soo. The series became a commercial hit and ranked among the most highly rated Korean dramas in cable television history. Following this role, the Korean National Police Agency appointed her as an honorary police officer.
Breakthrough with It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2019 to 2020)
In 2019, she starred in two films, Warning: Do Not Play (2019) and By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife Venture (2019).
On January 1, 2020, she joined the newly established entertainment agency Gold Medalist. Her first project under the new agency was the tvN and Netflix romantic drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020). She played Ko Mun-yeong, a bestselling children’s book author with an antisocial personality disorder, opposite Kim Soo-hyun, Oh Jung-se, and Park Gyu-young.
Her performance received widespread critical praise. The New York Times named the series one of “The Best International Shows of 2020.” She won the APAN Star Awards for Excellence Award and Popular Star Award, the Asia Artist Awards for Best Artist, the Baeksang Arts Awards for Most Popular Actress, and the Buil Film Awards for Popular Star Award.
This role cemented her as one of South Korea’s most recognised actresses both at home and internationally.
Recalled and Eve (2021 to 2022)
In 2021, she starred in the mystery thriller film Recalled (2021) opposite Kim Kang-woo. The film topped the local box office on its opening weekend.
In 2022, she returned to television with the tvN melodrama Eve (2022), playing Lee La-el alongside Park Byung-eun, Yoo Sun, and Lee Sang-yeob. This was her comeback drama after the public controversies in 2021.
Hiatus, Return, and Theatre Debut (2023 to 2026)
After Eve, Seo Yea-ji stepped away from the spotlight for an extended period. In November 2023, Gold Medalist confirmed that she would be leaving the agency after her contract expired.
In June 2024, she signed with new agency Sublime, signalling a fresh start in her career. In April 2024, she also opened her personal Instagram account for the first time, which reached one million followers within two months.
In April 2025, she appeared as a guest host on SNL Korea Season 7 on Coupang Play. That same year, she appeared in magazine editorials for Nick Nicole and Dazed Korea.
In January 2026, she made her theatre debut with the stage play Hymn of Death (also known as Crying for You) at the M Theater of the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. She played the tragic soprano Yun Sim-deok. The play also featured Jeon So-min in a double cast for the same role and ran from January 30 to March 2, 2026.
Her Upcoming Work
As of mid 2026, she is reportedly in talks to lead an upcoming drama titled Forest of Humans, a dark thriller based on a popular webtoon, which could mark her return to the small screen after four years.
Seo Yea-ji Awards and Achievements
Seo Yea-ji has received multiple awards and nominations throughout her career in Korean television and film. Her early recognition came from Diary of a Night Watchman and Lawless Lawyer, but her biggest wave of wins arrived in 2020 and 2021 following her breakout role in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. She swept several major ceremonies that year, winning prizes at the APAN Star Awards, Asia Artist Awards, Baeksang Arts Awards, and Buil Film Awards.
Her Major Wins
- Asia Artist Awards (2020): Won Best Artist Award for It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020).
- Asia Artist Awards (2020): Won AAA Hot Issue Award.
- Brand of the Year Awards (2020): Won Actress of the Year.
- Buil Film Awards (2020): Won Popular Star Award for By Quantum Physics: A Nightlife Venture (2019).
- APAN Star Awards (2021): Won Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries, for It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020).
- APAN Star Awards (2021): Won Popular Star Award, Actress, for It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2021): Won Most Popular Actress for It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020).
Her Key Nominations
- MBC Drama Awards (2014): Nominated for Best New Actress for Diary of a Night Watchman (2014).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2017): Nominated for Most Popular Actress (Film) for Another Way (2017).
- Soompi Awards (2019): Nominated for Actress of the Year for Lawless Lawyer (2018).
- Baeksang Arts Awards (2021): Nominated for Best Actress (Television) for It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020).
Seo Yea-ji Controversies
Seo Yea-ji faced multiple public controversies starting in 2021 that significantly affected her career. While none led to formal legal charges, the combined backlash resulted in a prolonged career hiatus.
Kim Jung-hyun manipulation allegations (2021): In April 2021, Dispatch published alleged text messages between Seo and her then boyfriend Kim Jung-hyun from 2018, reportedly showing her demanding him to avoid physical contact and romantic scenes with co-star Seohyun during the MBC drama Time. Around 13 script changes were reportedly made, and Kim eventually quit the drama. Her agency Gold Medalist denied the claims. Kim Jung-hyun later also denied Seo’s involvement, blaming his own agency instead.
School bullying allegations (2014, resurfaced in 2021): A netizen first claimed in 2014 that Seo had bullied and extorted them during middle school. The claim resurfaced in April 2021 when another person came forward with a yearbook photo as evidence. Gold Medalist denied the allegations entirely.
Academic background controversy (2021): On the 2017 variety show Knowing Brothers, Seo stated she studied at a university in Spain. However, Gold Medalist later clarified that while she received an acceptance notice from the Complutense University of Madrid, she never formally enrolled due to her career in Korea. Seo herself gave contradicting statements in a separate 2017 interview, denying ever graduating from college abroad. The university stated it could not confirm her admission.
Staff mistreatment allegations (2021): An anonymous former staff member accused Seo of verbal abuse and controlling behaviour on set. However, another long-term staffer defended her, saying she always treated people with gratitude.
Withdrawal from Island and loss of endorsements (2021): Following the controversies, Seo withdrew from the upcoming drama Island, and her character was recast. Several brands also removed her advertisements, with reports suggesting she faced financial penalties due to morality clauses.
Formal apology (February 2022): After nearly a year of silence, Seo issued her first public apology ahead of her comeback drama Eve, expressing remorse and promising to become a more mature person.
SNL Korea self-parody backlash (April 2025): Seo appeared as a guest host on SNL Korea Season 7, performing skits that openly parodied her past controversies. While some praised her boldness, others criticised the episode for trivialising serious issues, sparking divided reactions online.
Seo Yea-ji Net Worth
Seo Yea-ji’s net worth has not been officially confirmed by her or her agency. Because of this, most figures available online are estimates based on her acting projects, brand endorsements, and modelling work.
Her net worth is estimated at around $42.5 million (approx. ₹400 crore).
Before the 2021 controversies, she had endorsement deals with brands such as Inner Flora, New Origin, Yuhan Care, Aer, Rieti, and Luna Cosmetics. Most of these were dropped following the scandals, though she has since returned to brand work, including a recent role as ambassador for Laundryou.
| Net Worth in Dollars (Approx.) | $42.5 million (approx. ₹400 crore) |
| Salary (Approx.) | Yet to be updated |
Seo Yea-ji Height, Weight and Physical Stats
| Height | In centimetres: 169 cm In meters: 1.69 m In feet & inches: 5 feet 6 inches |
| Weight | In kg: 43 kg In lbs: 95 lbs |
| Body Measurements | 33-23-34 inches |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Seo Yea-ji Social media
 @yeyeji_seo |
Interesting Facts about Seo Yea-ji
- Her fan community is called “Yeyes,” which is one of the most dedicated fandoms in the Korean drama world. She often shows appreciation to her fans through her fan cafe and personal gifts.
- She was actually scouted by chance when she returned to South Korea from Spain temporarily to get orthodontic surgery. She initially turned down the offer from Made in Chan Entertainment multiple times before finally agreeing to try acting.
- While in Spain, she once wrote a 10-page Spanish language guide for veteran actor Lee Sun-kyun to help him prepare for emergencies during his trip to Spain for the travel show Grandpas Over Flowers.
- She has a strict personal rule of never dyeing her hair. She gets a trim every three weeks to keep it smooth and healthy, and credits her natural black hair as one of her signature features.
- She follows a minimalist skincare routine, unlike the popular multi-step Korean skincare approach. She has stated that she focuses mainly on proper makeup removal and hydration, keeping things simple.
- Her first on-screen pairing with Kim Soo-hyun was not It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. The two actually worked together on a pudding dessert commercial back in 2015, five years before their hit drama.
- She is reportedly certified in sex education in South Korea, a fact that surprised many fans when it was first revealed in interviews.
FAQs
What is Seo Yea-ji’s age?
She is 36 years old. She was born on April 6, 1990, in Seoul, South Korea.
What is Seo Yea-ji famous for?
She is best known for her lead role as Ko Mun-yeong in the tvN and Netflix drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020). She is also known for Save Me (2017), Lawless Lawyer (2018), and Eve (2022).
Who is Seo Yea-ji’s boyfriend?
Seo Yea-ji is currently single. Her only publicly known relationship was with actor Kim Jung-hyun around 2017 to 2018.
What was the Seo Yea-ji controversy?
In April 2021, she faced allegations of controlling her then boyfriend Kim Jung-hyun during the filming of MBC drama Time. This was followed by bullying claims, academic background questions, and staff mistreatment allegations. She issued a formal apology in February 2022.
Does Seo Yea-ji speak Spanish?
Yes. She spent time in Spain after high school and studied the Spanish language. She showcased her fluency on the variety show Knowing Brothers in 2017.
What is Seo Yea-ji’s latest project?
In January 2026, she made her theatre debut with the stage play Hymn of Death at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul. She is also reportedly in talks to lead an upcoming drama titled Forest of Humans.
What is Seo Yea-ji’s current agency?
She is currently managed by Sublime, which she joined in June 2024.
