A shot to stardom at 35. Baeksang’s Most Popular Actor and Gallup Korea’s TV Actor of the Year at 36. A movie actor in a titular role at 38.
Albeit a โlate bloomerโ, South Korean celebrity Kim Seonho exemplifies that age is not a factor for an actor to become known far and wide.
A passionate young man in his early twenties, Kim Seonho set out on a theater journey beginning with New Boeing Boeing (2009). After eight rich years of stage exposure, he scored a television audition and played his first drama role in KBS2’s Good Manager (2017).
More stage plays and drama projects followed until the release of tvN’s Start-Up (2020) where he played Han Ji-pyeong, a secondary role that shot him to Hallyu stardom โ Kim Seonho becoming a household name and gaining millions of fans in an instant. He then continued to attract more audiences across the globe with his lead role as Hong Dusik in tvN’s Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021).
Korean heartthrob Kim Seonho makes headlines everywhere he goes and in whatever he does. Anyone he meets in person falls for his magnetic charm and becomes a fan. When he flashes a bright smile, everyone goes gaga.
Here are 100 things to know more about Kim Seonho with facts gathered from various shows, media and magazine interviews, as well as his online and offline fan events, in random order:
1. He was an “idol star” in Daehangno.
Before his Hallyu popularity, Seonho has already attracted crowds with his theatrical talent and charms. He was known as an โidol starโ in Daehak-ro, also called as Daehangno, a place in the city of Seoul famous for theater and performing arts.
In one episode of 2D1N in 2020, Moon Se-yoon revealed about his stage popularity, “I heard that you were very popular in Daehangno and a lot of people watched your show, and that your plays were always sold out.”
To which Seonho humbly replied, “Well, I wouldn’t say that but people line up from the entrance to the street and that one time, cars couldn’t pass by.”
2. He is good at drawing.
Although Seonho doesn’t consider drawing or painting his hidden talent, his simple artworks show that he has the inner artist. Before the official release of his drama, Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021), he sketched a visual representation of Hong Dusik and it came out good in a limited time. He also won twice in the drawing contest of 2D1N Season 4 where he sketched a portrait of Dindinโs mother and painted an autumn-inspired piece.
3. He is clumsy in a charming way.
On-screen or off-screen, Seonho is not afraid to show his side of clumsiness, which is one of the charming traits that fans have fallen hard for. Even brands feature his adorable clumsy side, in particular, Ballop sports, where Seonho fails to sit on the hammock and drops his ice cream.
During a guest appearance at GYM JONG KOOK, Kim Jong-kook told him, “People around me who are acquainted with you say you’re a bit clumsy but I heard that you’re a great guy.”
There are other tons of examples to give but here’s a video compilation from a fan:
4. He has a dog named Sogeum.
Less than a year old dog, Sogeum is the newest addition to Kim family, Seonho becoming a big brother. According to Seonho, Sogeum fills their home loads of happiness. And like real siblings, there are days when they are pissed with each other especially when Seonho arrives home from his overseas trips and Sogeum doesn’t listen to him. But nowadays, Sogeum wakes him up in the morning and gives him dog kisses and hugs. Arf! Arf!
5. He is an only child.
Born on May 8, 1986, Seonho is an only child and has been radiating extra charms since childhood (look at his baby photos!). Now an adult, Seonho lives with his parents and his dog, Sogeum, and spends most of his free time with his family nowadays.
6. He has a lot of nicknames.
People call Seonho “Dimple Prince” because of his charming dimples, “Paperdoll” because he used to be bad at dancing (but now he has improved a little), “Good Boy” because of his iconic drama role as Han Ji-pyeong, “Nation’s Grandson” because of his chemistry with grandmothers in dramas, “Kim Seonho Effect” because anything he endorses becomes a trend and anyone he meets falls for his charms, and “Sold Out King” because his stage plays and fan meetings sell out immediately.
7. He loves to take long walks.
“I walk a lot. I take walks for around three hours,” he told Bench.
A man who finds walking therapeutic, Seonho spends his spare time taking a stroll around parks. He goes on long walks when he needs to do some in-depth assessment about his personal life and career or when he needs to clear his mind or just relax.
8. His first overseas trip is in the Philippines.
As a reward vacation, the cast of KBS2’s Good Manager (2017) traveled to the island of Cebu in the Philippines. It was Seonho’s first plane ride and first overseas trip. The drama was also Seonho’s TV debut, where he played an office worker alongside Namgoong Min, Lee Junho, and more.
9. He likes to scroll across socmed.
During his fanmeet in Thailand, he revealed that he likes to scroll across social media during his free time and that he has seen everything that his fans has uploaded online. Besides his personal Instagram account, he also engages with fans on Weverse and Naver’s Fan Cafe.
10. He loves to read letters.
More than gifts, Seonho loves to receive and read letters from fans. In one of his fan meetings, he shared that he and his mom read fan letters together and how it fills their hearts with love and gives them strength as a family.
11. The military service changed him.
According to Seonho, he used to be a timid person who lacks confidence around people he’s not familiar with until his military enlistment and service as an assistant instructor at Nonsan Army Training Center.
Since he met and counseled a lot of different people, he saw changes in his character and the way he looks at life in general. He also worked as a public service worker and completed his mandatory military duties in 2007.
12. He is crazy about tteobokki.
Tteokbboki is Seonho’s ultimate comfort food and he goes crazy when it is served. His mom even cooks it for him. When Director Bang asked the 2D1N members what food they crave the most, Seonho quickly answered, “Tteobokki!”. It is a spicy rice cake that is considered to be one of the top street foods in South Korea.
13. He is a tenderhearted person.
Fans of Seonho since his theater days and friends since his school days can attest to his tender heart that is easily moved and affected by matters of life. He finds meaning in simple things and feels emotions deeply.
In fact, he seems to have grown more open and sentimental when he returned from a long break, showing gratitude and softness to his fans:
โThank you always for touching my heart”, “You always give me strength”, “I’ll always be waiting for you in the same place, as you’ve been waiting for me”, “I really appreciate it that you promised me that even on hard times, youโll always be there for me”, “I am happy because of you. I will cherish this day for the rest of my lifeโ, “I wanted to give back the love today but I ended up receiving more”.
He even sang Paul Kim’s โEvery Day, Every Momentโ during fan meetings, a song that talks about strength and comfort during tough times, โIn my anxious and suffering life, you came to me like a ray of light and made me smile.โ
14. He is a binge-watcher.
During the interview with Netflix Korea in 2021, “Quiz Alarm”, Seonho talked about binge-watching on Netflix, โI canโt sleep because of Netflix. When I watch something, I need to watch the whole series.โ He also revealed his watch list:
Start-Up, Kingdom, Parasite, Bird Box, The School Nurse Files, The Old Guard, About Time, Sweet Home, Michael Jordan, The Last Dance, Friends, The Kissing Booth, Hospital Playlist, Wonder, Mad For Each Other, Eternal Sunshine, and Intern.
15. His first love is stage acting.
In several interviews, Seonho has always been enthusiastic about sharing his first love: theater. During the Touching The Void (2022) press call, he shared that “stage acting is joy” and his comfort zone. It also gives him a different kind of energy and vitality while performing live with an audience.
โThe stage has always been an intense place for me. There is an ecstasy that you can only feel on a stage with an audience. Itโs a place filled with passion where I furiously pour out my acting.”
– Kim Seonho, December 2020, Korea JoongAng Daily
Even after his rise to TV stardom in 2020 and amid busy schedules, he keeps coming back to his first love and makes it sure he gets to take part in a stage play at least once a year.
โIn stage acting, we can interact with the audience live, so we know their response right away. I think the audience contributes to the play as well because their laughter, or even the sound of their breathing instigates our next move or spurs us to do something more. That was an ecstatic feeling that I cannot forget.โ
– Kim Seonho, April 2021, Elle Singapore
16. He wears gifts from fans.
Seonho wears clothes based on his stylists’ pick but sometimes, he gets the freedom to wear what he likes and often chooses gifts from fans. During a video tour around his photo exhibition, Seonho shared that wearing gifted clothes and jewelry feels meaningful for him.
“Everytime I wear a gift from fans, it’s an expression of my gratitude, letting them know that I received it well because I can’t say thank you to each individual.”
– Kim Seonho, May 2023, Photo Exhibition
17. He held his first ever photo exhibition.
To appreciate people who support him, Seonho and his team held a photo exhibition called โOur Seasonโ, a nature-inspired theme with candid portraits, featuring Seonho in four seasons. It took place at Seogyu Place (SKBD) in Seoul from May 24 to June 6, 2023.
18. He is quick to press like on IG.
A silent lurker, Seonho seems to be always active online. In fact, he’s always competitive against his fans at quickly pressing like on Instagram. Sometimes, he replies with a sad emoji when he is late by a few seconds or when his team intentionally does not tag him.
19. He is always shy and nervous.
After having been exposed to numerous shows, Seonho is still haunted by stage fright everytime. He’d honestly express his feelings to the audience, for example during fan meetings, “I’m nervous” or “I’m shy”. Sometimes, he shares a nervous-looking emoji to his fans before facing a small or big crowd. Fans adorably call this moment “Tolyo-tolyo”.
20. He has good insights about life.
In several interviews, Seonho shows to be a deep and an insightful person when responding to people’s questions that pertain to life.
โEven when it seems like everything is dark, if you donโt give up and persistently do what you need to do, I believe that a time will come when you will bloom like the cosmos flowers in the fall.โ
– Kim Seonho, December 2020, Korea JoongAng Daily
When asked about what he wanted his fans to remember from Touching The Void (2022), he said:
โThere are times when we ask ourselves, โWhy is my life like this? Why is this happening to me? Why do I have to do this?โ Instead of getting shrouded with doubts, we can see change in our situation by thinking, โWhat should I do to make things better?โ A change in perspective often leads us to a positive change in life. So I hope those simple thoughts slowly turn things around into something positive.โ
– Kim Seonho, September 2022, Touching The Void
21. Thai fans call him โSukhumvit Boyโ.
During Seonho’s first trip to Thailand in 2022, he was often seen freely walking in Sukhumvit Road like a real local, so Thai fans began calling him โSukhumvit Boyโ.
Sukhumvit Road is a long and popular street in Bangkok where people often go to for mall shopping, night markets, with restaurants, hotels and more.
22. Words of affirmation move him to tears.
Perhaps, words are Seonho’s ultimate love language.
In one episode of 2D1N in 2020, a visiting psychiatrist analyzed his drawing, saying that he has a lot of worries, “You are constantly debating about things within yourself. However, I want to tell you not to worry or be afraid because within you, you have a really strong self that you won’t lose.”
Seonho began to shed tears upon hearing the compliment that he is a strong person amid personal worries. Even during fan meetings, he is always moved to tears when he reads messages from fans that motivate him as a person and an actor:
โThank you for coming backโ, โIf you want to repay us, just be happyโ, “Do not give up”, โYou are worth the waitโ.
23. Theater life is his training ground.
Seonho’s passion for stage plays started in college when he joined a theater group until he performed his first stage role in 2009 with New Boeing Boeing. So far, he has taken part in 18 theatrical productions from 2009 to 2022, a rich experience that has developed his skills on detailed acting, pronunciation, and voice projection.
Since stage actors are trained to think, speak, and move on stage with accuracy and clarity without camera cuts, it is worth noting that Seonho as an actor onscreen has perfect control in delivering his lines and conveying his character’s emotions, regardless of genre.
Amid busy schedules, he makes it his priority to continue taking part in a play to further sharpen his acting skills.
“When I stand on the theater stage, I think my skills improve a little bit. I also become more open-minded. Itโs because of those goals of mine that I want to keep doing it.โ
– Kim Seonho, January 2021, Elle Korea
24. He shot his first commercial in 2020.
After his explosive popularity in the drama, Start-Up (2020), Seonho started receiving commercial offers. He shot his first advertisement with Food Bucket, a health supplement brand in South Korea. It was followed by other brand endorsements that range from electronics, clothing, food, cosmetics, to sports, and more.
25. He is a man of deep thoughts.
Seonho might appear clumsy but he seems to be a deep thinker, too, with the way he contemplates about life or chats with people on a serious note. During his fan meeting in Seoul, he talked to his fans, saying:
“Would I be able to be this kind of existence to someone? Have I ever been one? I thought about it one time. But what I am sure about is that you all have been such people to me. Thank you for walking the same time as me together.”
– Kim Seonho, December 2022, Seoul Fanmeet
While he thinks that he’s not good at expressing himself in words, his thoughts and feelings during fan meetings show that he seems to be a man of depth:
“I don’t think I have ever thought so deeply about the meanings of thank you and sorry like how I do these days. Maybe my feelings for you might not be enough to be described as thank you and sorry. My actions and words are always not so perfect but I hope today you’d be able to feel how genuine I am.”
– Kim Seonho, December 2022, Seoul Fanmeet
26. He is a philanthropist.
In response to the overwhelming response of viewers on his TV performances, Seonho donated 100 million won to the Korea Leukemia Childrenโs Foundation in January 2021 and another 50 million won in December 2021.
His agency, Salt Entertainment, also revealed that Seonho donated all his stage earnings from Touching The Void (2022) to typhoon victims in Pohang, which is the filming location of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021).
During his birthday in May 2023, he donated 100 million won in profits from his “One, Two, Three Smile Asia Tour” fan meetings to extend help to young people preparing for self-reliance through the Korean Red Cross. He also donated profits from his first “Season’s Greetings” (2022) and first photo exhibition “Our Season” (2023). He keeps on giving.
27. He works out to train his mind.
According to Seonho, he’s not a huge fan of working out but he does it as a mode of training the mind and body.
During his guest appearance in GYM JONGKOOK, he revealed that he works out at least five days a week and goes to the gym from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Meanwhile, Kim Jong-kook complimented him for his incredible physique and nice chest.
28. He writes thoughtfully.
Seonho penned a heartfelt message and read it during his 2-day fan meeting in Seoul:
“As I wait for today, the word ‘first’ came to my mind. First snow, first thought, first step, and first encounter. It seems like the word ‘first’ hold a unique excitement.”
– Kim Seonho, December 2022, Seoul Fanmeet
“There are times when I think of happy moments in my life while walking on the streets. There are happiness you get from special days or special someone but what got me smiling while I was walking was the feeling of happiness I had on an ordinary day.”
– Kim Seonho, December 2022, Seoul Fanmeet
Even his photo exhibition included write-ups penned by Seonho himself about his thoughts and emotions:
“If you’re going the wrong way, just turn around a bit. Returning experiences are also the number of cases in my life. I used to have a hard time going back and I try to find the answer quickly. I think it’s a moment that everyone goes through.”
– Kim Seonho, May 2023, Photo Exhibition
29. He is funny.
Seonho is the type of person who can effortlessly make you laugh with whatever he does. From 2D1N to fan meetings, he has shown a lot of his funny side with the way he plays games, solves numbers, answers quizzes, dances, interacts with people, and more. He is a natural entertainer.
Here’s a comic Seonho during his fan meeting in Indonesia:
30. He fears overseas travels but enjoys it nowadays.
According to Seonho, he fears overseas trips because of the unfamiliarity but since he started traveling to different countries to meet his fans, he is beginning to enjoy it as he gets to experience different cultures and foods. He also spends time strolling around each city.
By far, he has visited Bangkok, Manila, Hongkong, Japan, Jakarta, Taiwan, and Canada. He will also soon meet his fans in Malaysia and Singapore.
31. He is humble.
Amid global popularity and life’s challenges, Seonho remains humble and grounded. In his speeches, he always acknowledges people who support him and work with him.
“I’m not really a special person but a bunch of people come together to make me shine.”
– Kim Seonho, May 2023, Photo Exhibition
Overwhelmed by the presence of 10,000+ Filipino fans during his first fanmeet in Manila, he told them:
“Because of you, I can stand here as an actor. Thank you so much for being with me in the hard times and good times.”
– Kim Seonho, January 2023, Manila Fanmeet
32. He prefers relatable characters.
When asked by CNN Philippines about his next dream role to play, he said that he looks forward to portray a character that is simple but relatable, like ordinary people living ordinary lives.
He also told CNN Indonesia, “Rather than choosing a genre, I prefer to choose a role that many people can relate to in real life. A simple story that provides healing.”
33. He’s afraid of heights.
From 2D1N to several interviews, Seonho has been consistent in letting people know that he is afraid of heights.
Nevertheless, in 2D1N, he crossed a narrow bridge and slept at the open top floor of the highest building in South Korea, finished a rope course, and endured the longest zip line. In The Childe (2023), he jumped off buildings and a high bridge. Amid anxiousness, he faced and conquered all these challenges.
34. He studied Broadcasting in college.
Seonho finished college with a degree in Broadcasting and Entertainment at the Seoul Institute of the Arts, where he also joined a campus theater club.
35. He’s known as the tent owner.
Since his energy starts draining after 6:00pm, he usually loses evening games in 2D1N and sleeps outdoors as a consequence, earning the title “Tent Owner”. Ravi teased him, “No matter how well Seonho does, he still sleeps outside.”
36. He’s a loving son.
In several interviews and events, Seonho often talks about his parents. One family vacation, they went to Jeju Island and granted the wish of his father to ride a submarine. He once cooked for his mom and made her cry for the sweet gesture. He attentively listens to his parents’ advice and take them to heart.
“When my parents see the gifts and letters everyday, they tell me not to forget to be thankful, not even for a single moment.”
Kim Seonho, December 2022, Seoul Fanmeet
โThe best advice came from my parents. They told me to always be humble, to look only at the present and not be bothered by anything else.โ
Kim Seonho, July 2023, Inquirer
37. His childhood dream was to become a doctor.
In one episode of 2D1N, the members revealed their childhood photos and elementary school records. Seonho shared that he used to dream of becoming a doctor but hilariously unable to explain the reason why.
38. He is good friends with D.O.
EXO’s Doh Kyung-soo (D.O.) and Seonho worked together in the historical drama, 100 Days My Prince (2018), which made them become good friends. Seonho and the rest of the cast even took private lessons from D. O. to dance to EXO’s “Growl” as a promise to viewers.
39. He had a traumatic childhood experience.
During an interview with Harper’s Bazaar in 2019, Seonho shared about home robbery when he was still a kid. He witnessed his mom being stabbed with a knife and he managed to escape by hiding under his bed.
The trauma caused him anxiousness around unfamiliar faces, places, or when facing a crowd. It was when he pursued acting that he began to heal.
40. He cried a lot in “If Only”.
Seonho revealed that he specifically liked the non-Korean film, If Only (2004) and that he cried a lot when he watched it during highschool days.. It’s a romantic movie about a man who is given a second chance to change the course of events concerning the love of his life, starring Jennifer Love Hewitt and Paul Nicholls.
41. He’s a non-smoker.
While talking about his smoking scenes in the movie, The Childe (2023), Seonho said that he’s a non-smoker so he had to practice smoking for the character. Even after smoking a lot in his next project, he still finds cigarettes not his thing.
42. He finds massage uncomfortable.
During a healing trip in 2D1N, Seonho’s team was rewarded with a therapeutic massage. While his co-members enjoyed the feeling of relaxation, Seonho felt the opposite โ stressed and uncomfortable. It was a hilarious moment that gave viewers a belly laugh. “He’s such a cry baby!” the therapist said.
43. He achieved his first acting award in 2017.
Seonho achieved his first two acting awards in 2017 for his performance in Two Cops (2017-18), where he co-starred with Jo Jung-suk and Lee Hye-Ri.
He won “Best New Actor” and “Excellence Award, Actor in a Monday-Tuesday Drama” at the 2017 MBC Drama Awards. In one interview he mentioned that this achievement made his mom cry a lot.
44. His fandom is his source of inspiration.
When asked by Elle Singapore about his source of inspiration, he quickly replied, “Those who give me support. They always give me good ideas. They are my fans.”
He even co-wrote and performed a song for his fans on his birthday in May 2021. Here are some of his self-penned lyrics from “Reason”:
Even though Iโm not good at it
I want to write about you and show you
Youโre my reason
The reason for my sentences
The start of my days
The reason is you
Full English lyrics | Music Video
45. He topped the Brand Reputation Ranking for Drama Actors in 2020.
Amid his surge in popularity during the airing of Start-Up (2020), Seonho made it onto the list and landed at no. 1 in the ranking index of monthly brand reputation for drama actors by the Korean Business Research Institute. His positivity-negativity analysis revealed a score of 82.40 percent positive reactions and a brand reputation index of 6,024,503 for the month of November.
46. Childhood reminds him of a father-son bonding.
During an interview with Bench, he revealed that his favorite childhood memory is time spent with his father, “I remember going to Yeouido Park riding on my father’s shoulders when I was young. I think that is the most memorable experience.”
47. He’s good at singing.
While Seonho doesn’t consider himself a good singer, he actually surprised everyone with his vocals in 2D1N. He also performed songs for his fans and participated at the 2023 AAA Beginning Concert in Japan.
48. Song Kang-ho is the greatest actor for him.
When asked about the greatest actor in his opinion, he replied, “Senior Song Kang-ho.”
49. He received a 10-min standing ovation at Touching The Void.
During Seonho’s stage comeback through Touching The Void (2022), the audience gave him a thunderous applause and a standing ovation that lasted 10 minutes. All seats on his performance dates were also sold out immediately after the online selling of tickets was opened.
Seonho played Joe Simpson, a mountaineer who survived a near-death experience while hiking the 20,853-foot Siula Grande in the Peruvian Andes in 1985.
50. Summer reminds him of “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha”.
In a recent interview with Arena Homme+, Seonho mentioned that Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha is the first thing that comes to mind when summer arrives because it was the happiest time for him as Hong Dusik and as an actor. It reminds him of the people he worked hard and laughed with.
51. He’s funny at solving numbers.
One of the funny things about Seonho is that he’s bad at solving numbers. His mind goes blank during Q&A activities that involve mathematics. In an online chat with fans, he explained that the countdown always made him feel nervous so he was giving the wrong answers.
52. He played his first main drama role in 2017.
After auditioning for a supporting role in Strongest Deliveryman (2017), Seonho was cast instead to play one of the main roles, Oh Jin-Kyu, a troublemaking rich man’s son. He co-starred with Go Kyung-pyo, Chae Soo-bin, and Go Won-hee.
53. He was stressed about his dimples as a kid.
Seonho as a young kid was often teased for looking like a girl because of his milky white skin and dimples. He also told W Korea that a female classmate once followed him home to ask how he got his dimples. Stressed out, he jokingly told her, “I pressed hot peas on my cheeks.”
54. He looks up to senior actors.
In several interviews, Seonho has always been consistent in sharing that he looks up to senior actors and enjoys learning from them. He also spends time hanging out with them to receive wisdom for his acting life and career.
55. His baptismal name is “Daniel”.
According to Seonho, he was baptized into Christianity (Catholic) with the name of “Daniel”.
56. He likes iced americano.
Seonho was not a coffee drinker until he started drama tapings. Now, he can’t live without coffee and he prefers iced americano.
57. He was born in the Year of the Tiger.
Born in 1986, Seonho’s birth falls under the Year of the Tiger, an animal that is recognized as the king of all beasts. Tigers are also said to hold a special place in the hearts and culture of South Koreans. In fact, it appears frequently in Korean legends and art pieces and is โconsidered a national symbol and associated with humor, bravery and nobility.โ
58. He’s well-mannered.
Colleagues, acquaintances, staff, and production crew can attest that Seonho is polite and well-mannered on the set. He greets or says thank you to anyone with a bow, talks to the crew, and asks them how they are feeling. Even emcees during his fan meetings are amazed by his gentlemanly behavior backstage or onstage.
59. He topped the most searched Korean actor in the Philippines and Singapore.
In 2021, Seonho took the spot in the most searched Korean celebrity in Google Philippines and topped the most searched male actor in Yahoo Singapore.
60. He felt weird to watch himself in “The Childe”.
During an interview with The Korea Times, Seonho shared that it was weird to watch himself on the big screen, “Since it was my first time seeing myself on the big screen, I became self-conscious and began scrutinizing my every flaw. My English accent was so cringeworthy that I nearly leaped out of my seat.”
61. He takes things slow.
When it comes to matters about life or decision-making, Seonho shared to Dazed Korea that he considers himself a person who takes things slow.
“I think Iโm a person who does the things I have to do, want to do, and like to do in a slow but definite manner. That Iโm confident about.โ
– Kim Seonho, January 2021, Dazed Korea
62. He enjoys script reading with the cast.
According to Seonho, he enjoys the process of script reading while going out for dinner with fellow actors and crew. He told Cosmopolitan that it’s a precious experience for him to listen to everyone, learn from them, and become close friends with them.
63. He shot his first magazine cover with Noblesse Men.
Seonho shot his first ever magazine cover pictorial with Noblesse Men for the January-February 2021 issue.
64. He had a sad love story.
During a 2016 radio interview with SBS Power FMโs Park Seonyoungโs Cinetown, Seonho revealed that a girlfriend of three years broke up with him via text while he was serving in military. Desperate, he went to the girlโs house and knelt in front of her, begging to change her mind.
65. He starred in a music video.
Seonho took part as the main lead of Epitone Project’s single, โSleeplessโ with Younha in vocals, which was released in December 2020. The emotional ballad is about sleep difficulties after a breakup.
66. He studies his characters deeply.
In several interviews, Seonho shared that he converses a lot with the writer and director to understand his role. He then immerses himself in the character’s psyche from mannerisms to manner of speaking, even the style of clothes.
Talking about his preparations for Han Ji-pyeong, he shared that “he read books relating to the subject, looked up terminology on the internet, and watched related lectures in an effort to earn various information.โ
67. He gives off bright energy on set.
Although he’s honest about feeling nervous at work, Seonho changes his focus by giving off bright energy and bringing laughter to people on set.
โI try to raise the energy when Iโm doing something that Iโm especially not confident in like a pictorial shoot so that I donโt trouble anyone.โ
– Kim Seonho, January 2020, Elle Korea
68. He dreams of fishing with his dad.
In one episode of 2D1N, the members were given a chance to fulfill their wish. Seonho’s dream was to go fishing with his dad but since his dad couldn’t come that time, his dad asked Yoon Jung-hoon instead to accompany Seonho on a fishing trip. โIn my fatherโs eyes, Jung Hoon is someone whoโs good at everything,โ Seonho said.
69. He has a good sense of humor.
During the script reading of Catch The Ghost (2019), Seonho had to portray his character that was worrying about his heart that has stopped.
His co-star asked if he’s alright, to which Seonho replied, โI think my heart isnโt beating. Someone get a defibrillator!โ Everyone in the room crack up.
70. He listens to IU’s music.
According to Seonho, listening to music calms his heart and that nowadays, he’s been listening to IU’s “Through The Night”.
71. He signed an exclusive contract with SALT in 2018.
In September 2018, it was reported that Seonho signed an exclusive contract with Salt Entertainment, the agency of Park Shin-hye:
โKim Seon Ho, who has been garnering attention for his warm looks and strong talent, has signed an exclusive contract with us. We are happy to have formed a partnership with Kim Seon Ho, who has a bright future ahead of him as an actor. We will do our best to support him so that he can flourish in both his working and personal life.” – Salt Entertainment, September 2018, Soompi
72. He was named the The Most Bankable Korean Actor of 2022.
Seonho topped the list in The Most Bankable Korean Actors of 2022 in the October 2022 issue of The Netizens Report, an american digital and print serial that organises and publish valid surveys from internet users worldwide. They described him as โthe most influential South Korean actor in selling films and promoting brands.โ
73. He grew up in a humble neighborhood.
During his interview with W Korea, he talked about his family background and how they used to live in a hilly neighborhood where people share a communal bathroom.
However, young Seonho never felt bothered about his family’s humble situation because his parents never deprived him of supporting his dreams and providing for him financially.
74. He joined the top-notch lineup of Global BenchSetters.
In August 2022, Seonho was revealed to be the newest model of Bench, a top clothing and lifestyle brand in the Philippines. The company introduced him with the slogans โGood Boy, Gone Benchโ and โHeโs home at Benchโ.
75. His ultimate goal is to be an actor people want to work with again.
It’s a heart-fluttering moment for Seonho when co-actors, crew, or production indicate liking to team up with him again because of his personality. For him, he seeks to be known as an actor with a good attitude and a colleague who is pleasant to work with, not only the talent or popularity.
76. He topped the real-time search rankings on Play DB.
In June 2022, Seonho topped the real-time search rankings on Play DB, a company that provides information on performances from theater to musical. It happened at the same time when local and overseas fans purchased tickets for his theatrical play, Touching The Void (2022). His performance dates were also sold out immediately.
77. He stands 6 feet tall.
Seonho attracts more attention with his towering visuals of 183 cm or 6 feet.
78. He garnered 13.7M votes for โMost Handsome Korean Actor of 2022โ.
Seonho took the King Choice’s title, Most Handsome Korean Actor of 2022, after garnering 13.7 million votes from fans worldwide in February 2022.
79. He makes cute poses.
Seonho is the cutest when posing in photos. He spontaneously makes his classic poses V-sign, heart sign, a half-covered face, and a sweet smile with his eyes closed.
80. His parents inspired him to be a good listener.
Seonho is known to be a good listener among his colleagues and friends. He mentioned to Dazed Korea that his parents inspired him to be one.
81. He has a second IG account.
Seonho has more updates on his second Instagram account that is managed by his team, named kimseonho_staff.diary. The feed includes behind the scenes, overseas trips, candid photos, and more.
82. He runs fast.
Missions that involve speed and sprinting in 2D1N made Seonho win because he has strong legs and is the fastest runner among the season 4 cast members. The Childe (2023) also showed scenes of Seonho running here and there, and was even described as “running like a terminator”. Hong Dusik displayed speed, too in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021).
83. He makes typing errors.
According to Seonho, he often makes typing errors because his thumbs are huge.
84. He likes blue.
Seonho’s favorite color is blue but he looks totally good in whatever shirt color he wears. Most of the time, he wears a white top.
85. He doesn’t know his MBTI.
Seonho hasn’t tried taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality test yet but he said he will in time. Meanwhile, his fans had discussions about his possible MBTI:
86. He gave viewers an unforgettable “Second Lead Syndrome”.
Seonho turned people’s hearts like crazy with his powerful “second lead syndrome” in Start-Up (2020). After a strong backstory and compelling onscreen presence, Han Ji-pyeong played by Seonho never made it to Seo Dal-mi’s heart. In fact, some viewers are still left heartbroken with this sad ending.
However, Seonho earned the “Best Emotive Award” at the 2020 Asia Artist Awards and the “Character of the Year” at the 2021 Seoul International Drama Awards for his secondary role as Han Ji-pyeong. He also topped the monthly Brand Reputation Ranking that time.
87. He had his first event hosting with Yoona.
Seonho was invited to co-host with Yoona and Jang Sung-Kyu for the MBC Music Festival in December 2020. He even performed the song, “Perhaps Love” with Yoona!
88. He held his first ever online global fanmeet in January 2021.
After receiving an overwhelming support from fans worldwide, Seonho and his agency organized his first ever global online fanmeet through Tiktok Stage Live. It even included an English live stream for international fans.
89. He received his first popularity award from Baeksang.
In May 2021, Seonho received his first ever “Most Popular Actor” Award after receiving 1.3 million votes from fans worldwide at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards, one of the most prestigious entertainment awards in South Korea.
90. He was named Gallup Korea’s TV Actor of the Year in 2021.
Seonho topped Gallup Korea’s survey on the most shining actor of the year in the Korean entertainment field. Out of 1,700 people interviewed across South Korea, he got 7.8% of votes, surpassing other actors and was officially named Gallup Korea’s TV Actor of the Year in 2021.
91. He has worked with more than 10 brands.
Following his popularity in Start-Up (2020), Seonho has been receiving several offers from brands that range from electronics, clothing, food, cosmetics, to sports, and more. By far, he has endorsed more than 10 brands, including:
Miima, Ballop, Bench Philippines, Teacha Thailand, 11 Street, Edition Sensibility, Everwhite, Food Bucket, La Roche-Posay, Wide Angle, Nau, Canon, Shinhan "My Car", and Domino's Pizza.
92. Bangkok is his most memorable trip abroad.
Every city Seonho has visited this year is certainly a happy moment for him but he considers Bangkok his most memorable trip during the filming of The Childe. The massive warm welcome from Thai fans, calling him “Hong Banjang” surprised him because he thought he isn’t that known overseas.
93. He folds his blanket first thing in the morning.
When Seonho learned that blanket folding is good for mental health, it becomes his early morning habit. But he hilariously shared that his mom scolded him one time because she needs to dust the blanket first.
94. He likes hydrangeas.
During one of his trips to Jeju, the hydrangeas were in full bloom that he could not forget the moment. It then became his favorite flowers and his mom’s, too.
95. “Confession” is his go-to song at karaoke.
According to Seonho, everybody hates “Confession” by Yim Jae-bum but he still prefers it as his go-to song at karaoke. He even sang it in 2D1N and got the highest score.
96. He’s afraid of making mistakes.
According to Seonho, he is afraid of making mistakes during events. So he is often cautious, nervous, and relies greatly upon his team.
97. He often uses only one emoji.
Seonho likes it simple so he often uses only one smiley emoji. He thinks other emojis are fancy. (โ โขโ โฟโ โขโ )
98. He prefers staying home during day off.
According to Seonho, he prefers to stay home rather than go out during his day off. He also mentioned in a recent interview that he spends most of his free time with his family and goes on walks with Sogeum, his dog.
99. He survived cancel culture.
After a distorted story against Seonho from an anonymous account dispersed like a wildfire across social media in October 2021, he faced a sudden major cancelation in projects, ads, extreme online shaming, and ridicule.
The #CancelTheCancelCulture online rally emerged and many people across the globe stood out for him. Despite the heated online debates about his private life, his Instagram followers increased from 7.3 million to more than 8 million. As the truth prevailed, most of the ads reinstated him as a model and The Childe (formerly Sad Tropics) confirmed to continue working with him. Miima Korea and Everwhite items were sold out in a few days, while 11Street attained an increase in sales, reported to be the online storeโs highest performance ever, after they revived Seonhoโs ads.
The South China Morning Post (SCMP) pondered upon this incident and reasoned that among the long list of Korean artists and celebrities who have been canceled, โthe case of Kim Seon-ho stands out in the cancel culture wars.โ
100. He attracts crowds like a K-pop idol.
After a long break from the spotlight, Seonho had only one thing in mind: to meet and spend time with his fans through his first ever offline fan meeting, โOne, Two, Three, Smile! Asia Tour 2023โ.
Notably, Seonho’s charm is as magnetic as the K-pop idols as he was able to attract thousands of fans across multiple cities in Asia. In Manila alone, more than 10,000 people attended his fan meeting in January 2023 held at MOA Arena.
In Tokyo, he met his fans twice in one day while he held a two-day fan meeting in Seoul, Bangkok, and Jakarta because the demand was high. He also traveled to Taipei and Hongkong, and soon to meet fans in Malaysia and Singapore before the year ends.
That is Kim Seonho, ladies and gentlemen.
Cover image: SALT Entertainment
KORB 