Seo Ji-seok

Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Seo Ji-seok

Role / Field:

South Korean actor known for roles in daily dramas like Hearts of Nineteen.

Born:

1981-09-09

Century / Era:

1981s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Seo Ji-seok (born Seo Jong-wook, 9 September 1981) is a South Korean actor. He is best known for playing in the long-running TV series, notably in the 167-episode KBS1 daily drama Hearts of Nineteen (Pure 19), which brought him to win Best New Actor at the 2006 KBS Drama Awards. Seo was an athlete specializing in 100 metres and 200 metres sprint in middle school. He won four gold medals in a variety of sports when he was 16 years old and was also chosen to be the member of the national team. However, in 1999, he was hit by a vehicle while he was crossing the street, and was hospitalized for 6 months.

Career & Major Achievements

He was then scouted on the street, while working part-time, by a talent manager who liked his refined appearance, henceforth choosing acting as his career. Seo graduated from Seoul Institute of the Arts, majoring in Bachelor of Film and Television. Seo has appeared in two films directed by renowned South Korean movie director Kim Ki-duk. In Kim's 2005 film The Bow, he played a college student involved in a mysterious and dangerous relationship between an old man and a 16-year-old girl. Seo appeared for the second time in Kim's movie Time as a guest star, and participated in the film May I Cry?

Enduring Legacy & Impact

That same year, Seo was cast as the smart and cold Park Yoon-hoo in the 167-episode daily drama Hearts of Nineteen, leading the series alongside Ku Hye-sun. For his performance in the series, he won Best New Actor award at the 2006 KBS Drama Awards. In 2007, Seo reported for his mandatory military service and was assigned to the 12th Infantry Division located in Inje, Gangwon-do. He was discharged on May 3, 2009, and subsequently held a fan meeting on May 10, 2009. Seo returned to acting by playing in an independent film The Inside Story of Him and Her and appearing as a cameo in High Kick Through The Roof.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1981 (1981-09-09): Birth of Seo Ji-seok — South Korean actor known for roles in daily dramas like Hearts of Nineteen.
2. 1999: 1999 Milestone — However, in 1999, he was hit by a vehicle while he was crossing the street, and was hospitalized for 6 months.
3. 2005: 2005 Milestone — In Kim's 2005 film The Bow, he played a college student involved in a mysterious and dangerous relationship between an old man and a 16-year-old girl.
4. 2006: 2006 Milestone — He is best known for playing in the long-running TV series, notably in the 167-episode KBS1 daily drama Hearts of Nineteen (Pure 19), which brought him to win Best New Actor at the 2006 KBS Drama Awards.
5. 2007: 2007 Milestone — In 2007, Seo reported for his mandatory military service and was assigned to the 12th Infantry Division located in Inje, Gangwon-do.
6. 2009: 2009 Milestone — He was discharged on May 3, 2009, and subsequently held a fan meeting on May 10, 2009.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Seo Ji-seok

True or False: “Seo Ji-seok was immediately successful upon graduating from Seoul Institute of the Arts.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He initially focused on athletics and faced a significant career interruption after being hit by a vehicle in 1999.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Abel Gance — Contemporary (Died in 1981) (1981): French cinematic pioneer, celebrated for his mastery of montage and epic filmmaking.
• Abigail Spencer — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): American actress, producer, and writer known for roles in soap operas and dramas.
• Adriana Lima — Contemporary (Born in 1981) (1981): Iconic Brazilian model, celebrated for her long tenure as a Victoria's Secret Angel.
• Adam Sandler — Shared historical date (09-09 · Born) (1966): Acclaimed comedian and actor known for his prolific career in Hollywood comedy.
• Afrojack — Shared historical date (09-09 · Born) (1987): Dutch DJ and record producer, known professionally as Afrojack.
• Albert Cohen (novelist) — Historical peer (Died in 1981) (1981): Greek-born Swiss novelist who wrote in French, known for his memoirs and international work.
• Albert Speer — Historical peer (Died in 1981) (1981): German architect and Nazi official, known for monumental designs and wartime ministry.
• Aaron Spelling — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Pioneering American producer of hit TV series like Dynasty and Beverly Hills, 90210.
• Abu Musab al-Zarqawi — Historical peer (Died in 2006) (2006): Jordanian jihadist militant known for orchestrating violence in Iraq (1966–2006)
• Akhtar Hameed Khan — Historical peer (Died in 1999) (1999): Pioneering Pakistani social scientist and development practitioner.
• 1981 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1981
• September 9 (09-09) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on September 9

Frequently Asked Questions about Seo Ji-seok