Seo Hyun-woo

Seo Hyun-woo was born in Busan on 20 November 1983. He attended elementary and middle school in Tongyeong. Seo later moved to Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, attending boarding school Hanil High School, recognized as a prestigious high school for talented students. Alums include actors Park Jeong-min and Cho Hyun-chul.

During high school, Seo was known for his lively personality and held positions as both class president and vice president. However, the immense academic pressure he faced caused him to lose interest in his studies, leaving him feeling adrift. At the end of his first year, he went to the School Festival and saw a play for the first time. His literature teacher wrote the play. Watching his classmates and older students perform on stage was a memorable experience for him. As a result, in his second year, he decided to join a theater class, which helped him better manage his emotions despite his quick temper. However, he chose to keep his passion for acting a secret from his parents and lacked the courage to pursue it as a career.

He enrolled in the English literature department at Kookmin University, believing that excelling in English was important. However, he soon realized that many of his classmates had more experience living in English-speaking countries, and he felt this path wasn't right for him. In his early twenties, feeling lost and facing challenges, the impending military service intensified his sense of helplessness. Around the age of 20, after completing his first year, he took a hiatus and worked as a bartender in Daehak-ro. It was during this time that he encountered the theater scene and his desire to become an actor began to grow."Every night, theater people from Daehak-ro came to the bar where I worked. They were like uncle figures, but they engaged in serious discussions every night. They recited lines from Greek tragedies like Sophocles and Aeschylus, and they pondered if Hamlet felt this way or if Othello's anger was like this. I secretly observed them every night. I'm not sure if this expression is appropriate, but it was like 'adults playing make-believe.' It was cool. And I was curious about what made them so obsessed. It was from this time that I made up my mind to become a real actor."During a phone call with his high school literature teacher, Seo revealed that he had taken a break. Despite being seven years older, the teacher listened attentively to his concerns. During the conversation, Seo reminisced about his high school theater class, and the teacher mentioned studying acting at the Graduate School of Korea National University of Arts. The teacher suggested Seo take the entrance exam for his school. Inspired, Seo decided to drop out of college that day.

However, Seo's decision to pursue acting caused turmoil within his family. In 2003, undeterred, he enrolled in an acting academy but left after a month due to its ineffectiveness. Despite paying a monthly tuition of 850,000 won, attending a class three times a week with over 50 students proved inconvenient as he had to wait for his turn. Seo briefly considered private lessons but ultimately decided to study independently. He regularly visited a nearby video store close to his residence at Kookmin University, renting three films per day. With dedication, he would imitate the acting styles of his admired actors. Whenever he encountered challenges, he turned to professional books for guidance. His relentless efforts paid off, resulting in his successful passing of the test.

He was accepted into the Theater Department at Korea National University of Arts. Despite being a couple of years older than his peers, he was unfazed by the age difference. His unwavering determination and perseverance set him apart. Notably, he received a full scholarship for every semester, except the first one.