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Byeon Woo Seok
ActorVARO Entertainment

Byeon Woo Seok

Byeon Woo-seok (변우석) is a South Korean model and actor born on October 31, 1991, in Bucheon. He debuted as a model in 2010 and walked the 2015 F/W Milan Fashion Week runway before transitioning to acting. After supporting roles in Record of Youth (2020) and Strong Girl Nam-soon (2023), Byeon became a breakout star with his lead role as Ryu Sun-jae in Lovely Runner (2024), a time-slip romance opposite Kim Hye-yoon. His performance earned him the Best Actor Daesang at the 2024 Asia Artist Awards and nominations at the Baeksang Arts Awards. The drama OST "Sudden Shower," which he recorded, charted on the Billboard Global 200 and won Best OST at both the Melon Music Awards and MAMA Awards. Byeon made his film debut in Netflix 20th Century Girl (2022) and starred in Soulmate (2023). In December 2024, he was cast in MBC drama Perfect Crown opposite IU. In July 2025, Netflix Korea announced him as the lead in the live-action adaptation of Solo Leveling, playing Sung Jin-woo. His brand partnerships span Prada, Cartier, Clinique, and Dr.G. In 2026, he was appointed global ambassador for Dr.G skincare and Le Reve Brillant champagne in Japan. Byeon is known for significant charitable work, donating over 600 million won to Severance Hospital for pediatric patients and to wildfire relief efforts. Represented by Varo Entertainment, Byeon has been dubbed "Nation First Love" by Korean media, though he personally prefers "Monday Blues Cure" as his nickname.
2 articles12 creditsDebut: May 13, 2016South Korean

Gallery

Soulmate press conference, February 2023

September 2024

Filmography

2026
Perfect CrownK-Drama
Prince Yi An (lead)MBC
2026
Solo LevelingK-Drama
Sung Jin-woo (lead)Netflix
2024
No Gain No LoveK-Drama
Cameo
2024
Lovely RunnerK-Drama
Ryu Sun-jae (lead)
2023
Strong Girl Nam-soonK-Drama
Ryu Si-o
2023
SoulmateFilm
Lead
2022
20th Century GirlFilm
Lead
2021
MoonshineK-Drama
Lead
2020
Record of YouthK-Drama
Supporting
2019
Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage AgencyK-Drama
Lead
2016
Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart RyeoK-Drama
Cameo
2016
Dear My FriendsK-Drama
Son Jong-shik

Fans Also Ask

What is Byeon Woo-seok best known for?
Byeon Woo-seok is best known for Lovely Runner (2024), where he played Ryu Sun-jae opposite Kim Hye-yoon in a time-slip romance. The role turned a decade-long supporting career into a star-making breakout, earning him Best Actor Daesang at the 2024 Asia Artist Awards.
What role does Byeon Woo-seok play in Perfect Crown?
He plays Grand Prince Yi An in Perfect Crown, an MBC fantasy romance set in a modern-day Korea reimagined as a constitutional monarchy. The series pairs him with IU, who plays chaebol heiress Sung Hee-joo. Perfect Crown is expected to air on Disney+ in 2026.
What fashion brands is Byeon Woo-seok an ambassador for?
Byeon Woo-seok became brand ambassador for both Prada and Cartier in November 2024, following his breakout in Lovely Runner. He later added Dr.G skincare (global ambassador, 2026) and Le Reve Brillant champagne (Japan). His Cartier appointment was announced the same month as his Prada partnership.
Is Byeon Woo-seok starring in Solo Leveling?
Yes. Netflix Korea announced in July 2025 that Byeon Woo-seok will portray Sung Jin-woo, the lead role in the live-action adaptation of the webtoon Solo Leveling. The announcement came shortly after his casting in Perfect Crown was confirmed.
What did Byeon Woo-seok do before becoming an actor?
Byeon Woo-seok debuted as a model in 2010 and walked the 2015 F/W Milan Fashion Week runway before transitioning to acting. He spent years in supporting roles in dramas including Record of Youth (2020) and Strong Girl Nam-soon (2023) before landing his breakthrough lead in Lovely Runner (2024).

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