Seohyun

Early life and education

Seohyun was born Seo Ju-hyun on June 28, 1991, in Doksan-dong, Geumcheon District, Seoul, South Korea, and is the only child in her family. Her mother was a chairwoman at a piano school, and Seohyun was taught how to play piano as well as violin and traditional Korean drums in her early childhood. She also learned horseback riding and skating as a child. Her parents did not encourage her to become a celebrity, but Seohyun credited them as the ones who helped her choose her career path by letting her experience different things. As a fifth grader, Seohyun was discovered by a talent scout while riding in a subway train. She sang children's songs for her audition at SM Entertainment and was accepted as a trainee. Seohyun cited BoA, S.E.S and Fin.K.L. as her main influences to become a singer, expressing "I thought it was cool to show and communicate the emotions through songs".

Seohyun graduated from Jeonju Arts High School in February 2010.

She attended Dongguk University, majoring in theatre acting, and graduated in August 2014, receiving an achievement award at the graduation ceremony. Her fellow Girls' Generation member, Yoona, attended the same university.

Career

2007–2011: Career beginnings

In August 2007, Seohyun made her official debut as the youngest member of girl group Girls' Generation. The group gained significant popularity after the release of their hit single "Gee" in 2009.

Seohyun's early solo work mostly involved songs recorded for side projects and original soundtracks. Although they did not achieve much commercial success; her duet titled "JjaLaJaJJa" with veteran singer Joo Hyun-mi earned a "Trot Music of the Year" nomination at the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards. In 2010–2011, Seohyun appeared in MBC's variety show We Got Married 2, alongside CNBLUE's Yonghwa. They played a make-believe couple, portraying what life would be like if they were married. In addition, Seohyun was cast as voice actor for the Korean-dubbed version of animated film Despicable Me (2010) and its sequel Despicable Me 2 (2013), together with fellow member Taeyeon. She voiced the character of Edith, who is known for her rebellious attitude.

2012–2016: TTS and musical acting

In April 2012, Seohyun, along with fellow members Taeyeon and Tiffany, formed a Girls' Generation subgroup named TTS. Their debut EP, Twinkle, met with much success and became the eighth highest selling album of the year in South Korea. The subgroup went on to release two more EPs: Holler (2014) and Dear Santa (2015). Besides contributing her vocals to Girls' Generation and TTS songs, Seohyun began to become more active in lyrics writing. She co-wrote the songs "Baby Maybe" and "XYZ" (I Got a Boy, 2013) and was credited as the sole lyricist for "Only U" (Holler, 2014) and "Dear Santa" (Dear Santa, 2015).

In 2013, Seohyun debuted as an actress when she was cast for a supporting role in SBS's drama Passionate Love. She played Han Yu-rim, a veterinary student and first love of the male lead character. Director Bae Tae-sub said Seohyun's persona "perfectly paralleled that of her role" and "her understanding and expressiveness of the character exceeds those of a rookie actress".

Seohyun, self-described as someone who likes both singing and acting, began to develop an interest in musical theatre. She named musical actress Ock Joo-hyun, who later became her mentor, as her main influence. Although she had wanted to be in a musical for a long time, she rejected casting offers because she felt unprepared. In January 2014, her wish was fulfilled as she accepted her first musical acting role. Seohyun made her theatrical debut in the musical, Moon Embracing the Sun, which was adapted from the novel of the same name. Seohyun played the lead role, Yeon-woo, the daughter of a noble family who has a love relationship with both the King and his brother.

From February–June 2016, Seohyun was cast in the Korean version of the musical Mamma Mia. She played a character named Sophie, a 20-year-old bride-to-be, who hopes to find out who her biological father is on her wedding day. Kim Geum-yeong from CNB Journal commented on Seohyun's improvement from her prior musical performances, praising her "natural acting" and "daring side" while Park Jeong-hwan from ** claimed Seohyun's performance made the musical "all the more entertaining". Seohyun next played supporting roles in Chinese romantic film So I Married An Anti-fan and SBS's historical drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo; the latter earned her a Special Acting Award at the 2016 SBS Drama Awards.

2017–2018: Solo debut and departure from SM Entertainment

In January 2017, Seohyun became the third Girls' Generation member to release a solo album, with the release of her debut extended play titled Don't Say No. Tamar Herman from Billboard noted the album presented a "new maturity" to the singer. Don't Say No debuted atop the South Korean Gaon Album Chart. To accompany her solo release, she held a concert residency titled "Love, Still – Seohyun", part of a series of concerts by SM Entertainment artists.

After taking part in OnStyle's web-drama Ruby Ruby Love, Seohyun next starred in MBC's weekend drama Bad Thief, Good Thief as Kang So-joo, a police-woman-turned-investigator who struggles to fight against the abusive officials. Her portrayal of the character earned her the Best New Actress award at the 2017 MBC Drama Awards.

In October 2017, Seohyun left SM Entertainment after her contract ended. Her future activities with Girls' Generation remain in discussion.

In 2018, Seohyun was cast as the female lead in MBC's melodrama The Time as the character Seol Ji-hyun, a bright and optimistic woman who became depressed after the tragic death of her sibling.

In September 2018, Seohyun announced her first fanmeeting tour, Memories, in Seoul, Bangkok, Taipei, Osaka and Hong Kong.

2019–2024: New agency and continued acting career

In March 2019, Seohyun signed with Namoo Actors. A year after signing with her new agency, she starred in the short drama Hello Dracula. She played the role of An-na, an elementary school teacher who hid her emotions from her mother since the day she came out to her as a lesbian. Later that year, she starred in the JTBC television series Private Lives as Cha Joo-eun, a swindler who has to choose a deceptive path to survive in Korea.

In February 2022, Seohyun made her debut in a movie as a lead actress in the Netflix original movie Love and Leashes, based on the webtoon Moral Sense. She played the character of Jung Jiwoo, a competent public relations team member who accidentally found out her co-worker's BDSM desires. Her portrayal of the role earned her a nomination for the Best New Actress award under the Film category at the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards. In April 2022, Seohyun renewed her contract with Namoo Actors.

In June 2022, Seohyun starred in the KBS fantasy romance series Jinxed at First, She played the character Lee Seul-bi, who has the special ability of seeing the future of any person she touches. The role earned her the Best New Actress award at the 2022 KBS Drama Awards, as well as the Best Couple Award with the male lead co-actor Na In-woo.

In September 2023, she starred in the Netflix original series, Song of the Bandits. She played the character Nam Hee Shin, an independence activist disguised as the head of the Railway Bureau of the Japanese Government-General of Korea who has hidden her true identity.

2025–present: Departure from Namoo Actors and new agency

On April 24, 2025, Seohyun ended her contract with Namoo Actors. Seohyun starred in action-horror film Holy Night: Demon Hunters as Sharon, an exorcist and a member of the trio of demon hunters called 'Holy Night'. It was released on April 30, 2025 in 933 screens. It opened at first place on Korean box office with 121,321 admissions and a gross of US$680,433. , the film has grossed worldwide. On May 15, 2025, Seohyun signed an exclusive contract with Lead Entertainment.

After three years, Seohyun return to the small screen via romantic-comedy series, The First Night with the Duke. The series premiered on KBS2 on June 11, 2025. She played the role of K, a contemporary college student who awakens unexpectedly inside her beloved historical romance book. She possessed the body of a supporting character in the novel named Cha Seon-chaek and unexpectedly changed the plot of the novel.

Seohyun has been announced to star in the upcoming film Seeking the King. In December 2025, Seohyun signed with new agency Dream ENT. In March 2026, Seohyun will make her debut as a violinist at the 8th Regular Concert of the Sol Philharmonic Orchestra, to be held on March 13. She will play "Csárdás", the famous piece by Vittorio Monti.

Other ventures

Philanthropy

In 2011, Seohyun named former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon as her life mentor and role model, stating that his book, at one point in time, had helped her endure hard times. She was appointed as the United Nations Pavilion's ambassador at Yeosu Expo, where she was presented with the honor by Ban. In 2013, as an effort to help less-fortunate students with their studies, she donated 100 million Korean won to Dongguk University.

In 2020, Seohyun donated 100 million Korean won worth of feminine products to NGO Official Development Association Korea. In April 2022, Seohyun donated 17,000 sanitary pads for women's products. The donated feminine products were distributed to a total of 31 organizations, including four of the Nanum Employment Welfare Foundation, the Multicultural Family Support Center for Healthy Families in Uijeongbu and member organizations of the Uijeongbu Regional Children's Center Association and delivered to 500 students from multicultural and low-income families.

Endorsements

From 2011 to 2013, Seohyun was the official international ambassador for cosmetics brand The Face Shop. From 2016 to 2018, Seohyun was selected as South Korean ambassador for hair care brand Pantene along with fellow member Yuri. In 2021, Seohyun was selected as the Asia-Pacific ambassador for mid-range beauty brand Clinique. In May 2022, Seohyun was selected as brand muse for South Korean jewelry brand TirrLirr. In the same year, Seohyun was selected as the muse for ACWELL, a Korean natural dermatology cosmetic brand. In January 2024, fashion and lifestyle brand Metrocity had selected Seohyun as its muse and ambassador for 2024.

Discography

Main article: Seohyun discography

Extended plays

• Don't Say No (2017)

Filmography

Main article: Seohyun filmography

Theater

Accolades

Awards and nominations

State honors

References

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