Seo Ju-hyun (Korean: 서주현; born June 28, 1991), known professionally asSeohyun, is a South Korean singer, actress, and songwriter. She debuted as a member of girl groupGirls' Generation (and later its subgroupGirls' Generation-TTS) in August 2007, which went on to become one of the best-selling artists in South Korea and one of South Korea's most widely known girl groups worldwide. Seohyun released her first extended playDon't Say No in 2017. She leftSM Entertainment later that year, although she remains as a member of Girls' Generation.
Seohyun was born Seo Ju-hyun on June 28, 1991,[1] inDoksan-dong,Geumcheon District,Seoul, South Korea,[2] 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.[3][4] 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 atSM Entertainment and was accepted as a trainee.[4][5] Seohyun citedBoA,S.E.S andFin.K.L. as her main influences to become a singer, expressing "I thought it was cool to show and communicate the emotions through songs".[6]
Seohyun graduated from Jeonju Arts High School in February 2010.[7]
She attendedDongguk University, majoring in theatre acting, and graduated in August 2014, receiving an achievement award at the graduation ceremony.[8] Her fellow Girls' Generation member,Yoona, attended the same university.[9]
In August 2007, Seohyun made her official debut as the youngest member of girl groupGirls' Generation.[10] The group gained significant popularity after the release of their hit single "Gee" in 2009.[11]
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 singerJoo Hyun-mi earned a "Trot Music of the Year" nomination at the2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards.[12] In 2010–2011, Seohyun appeared inMBC's variety showWe Got Married 2, alongsideCNBLUE'sYonghwa. They played a make-believe couple, portraying what life would be like if they were married.[13] In addition, Seohyun was cast as voice actor for the Korean-dubbed version of animated filmDespicable Me (2010) and its sequelDespicable Me 2 (2013), together with fellow memberTaeyeon. She voiced the character of Edith, who is known for her rebellious attitude.[14][15]
In April 2012, Seohyun, along with fellow members Taeyeon andTiffany, formed a Girls' Generation subgroup namedTTS.[16] Their debutEP,Twinkle, met with much success and became the eighth highest selling album of the year in South Korea.[17][18][19] The subgroup went on to release two more EPs:Holler (2014) andDear Santa (2015).[20][21] 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).[20][22][23]
In 2013, Seohyun debuted as an actress when she was cast for a supporting role inSBS's dramaPassionate 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".[24][25]
Seohyun, self-described as someone who likes both singing and acting, began to develop an interest inmusical theatre. She named musical actressOck 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.[26][27] 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.[28] 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.[29]
Seohyun performing in theGone with the Wind musical in 2015
In January 2015, Seohyun was cast in the role ofScarlett O'Hara in the Korean version ofAutant en emporte le vent, a French musical based onGone with the Wind.[30] She received encouraging review for her performance. Seon Mi-gyeong ofOSEN said that while Seohyun's performance cannot surpass that ofBada, who shared the same role, her "fierce voice" complemented and successfully expressed an arrogant Scarlett O'Hara.[31] Kim Hyun-joong ofSports Chosun noted Seohyun's occasional "clumsy" acting, but compared her to Ock Joo-hyun during her rookie days and said that "her ability to bring emotion through song, the most important part of a musical, rivaled that of a veteran actor. Despite a short career, she endlessly showed us various colours and peculiar charms of a woman's life."[32]
From February–June 2016, Seohyun was cast in the Korean version of the musicalMamma 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.[33][34] Kim Geum-yeong fromCNB Journal commented on Seohyun's improvement from her prior musical performances, praising her "natural acting" and "daring side" while Park Jeong-hwan fromNews1 claimed Seohyun's performance made the musical "all the more entertaining".[35][36] Seohyun next played supporting roles in Chinese romantic filmSo I Married An Anti-fan and SBS's historical dramaMoon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo; the latter earned her a Special Acting Award at the2016 SBS Drama Awards.[37][38][39]
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 titledDon't Say No.[40] For this record, Seohyun took full initiatives and control of the production process, shaping her own musical style–a fulfillment of what she was unable to do fully being in a larger musical group.[41] Tamar Herman fromBillboard noted the album presented a "new maturity" to the singer.[40]Don't Say No debuted atop the South KoreanGaon Album Chart.[42] To accompany her solo release, she held aconcert residency titled "Love, Still – Seohyun", part of a series of concerts by SM Entertainment artists.[43]
After taking part inOnStyle's web-dramaRuby Ruby Love,[44] Seohyun next starred in MBC's weekend dramaBad Thief, Good Thief as Kang So-joo, a police-woman-turned-investigator who struggles to fight against the abusive officials.[45][46] Her portrayal of the character earned her the Best New Actress award at the2017 MBC Drama Awards.[47]
In October 2017, Seohyun left SM Entertainment after her contract ended. Her future activities with Girls' Generation remain in discussion.[48][49]
In 2018, Seohyun was cast as the female lead in MBC's melodramaThe Time as the character Seol Ji-hyun, a bright and optimistic woman who became depressed after the tragic death of her sibling.[50][51]
In March 2019, Seohyun signed withNamoo Actors.[52] A year after signing with her new agency, she starred in the short dramaHello 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.[53][54] Later that year, she starred in theJTBC television seriesPrivate Lives as Cha Joo-eun, a swindler who has to choose a deceptive path to survive in Korea.[55][56]
Seohyun at the KBS Drama Awards in 2022
In February 2022, Seohyun made her debut in a movie as a lead actress in theNetflix original movieLove and Leashes, based on the webtoonMoral Sense. She played the character of Jung Jiwoo, a competent public relations team member who accidentally found out her co-worker's BDSM desires.[57] Her portrayal of the role earned her a nomination for the Best New Actress award under the Film category at the58th Baeksang Arts Awards.[58][59] In April 2022, Seohyun renewed her contract with Namoo Actors.[60]
In June 2022, Seohyun starred in theKBS fantasy romance seriesJinxed at First,[61][62] 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 the2022 KBS Drama Awards, as well as the Best Couple Award with the male lead co-actorNa In-woo.[63]
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.[64]
2025–present: Departure from Namoo Actors and new agency
On April 24, 2025, Seohyun ended her contract with Namoo Actors.[65]
Seohyun starred in action-horror filmHoly Night: Demon Hunters as Sharon, an exorcist and a member of the trio of demon hunters called 'Holy Night'.[66] It was released on April 30, 2025 in 933 screens.[67][68] It opened at first place on Korean box office with 121,321 admissions and a gross of US$680,433.[69] As of June 16, 2025[update], the film has grossedUS$6,497,280 worldwide.[70][71]
On May 15, 2025, Seohyun signed an exclusive contract with Lead Entertainment.[72][73]
After three years, Seohyun return to the small screen via romantic-comedy series,The First Night with the Duke. The series premiered onKBS2 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.[74]
In 2011, Seohyun named formerUnited Nations Secretary-GeneralBan Ki-moon as her life mentor and role model, stating that his book, at one point in time, had helped her endure hard times.[76] She was appointed as the United Nations Pavilion's ambassador at Yeosu Expo, where she was presented with the honor by Ban.[77]
In 2013, as an effort to help less-fortunate students with their studies, she donated 100 million Koreanwon toDongguk University.[78]
In 2020, Seohyun donated 100 million Korean won worth of feminine products to NGO Official Development Association Korea.[79]
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.[80]
In May 2022, Seohyun was selected as brand muse for South Korean jewelry brand TirrLirr.[85] In the same year, Seohyun was selected as the muse for ACWELL, a Korean naturaldermatology cosmetic brand.[86]
In January 2024, fashion and lifestyle brand Metrocity had selected Seohyun as its muse and ambassador for 2024.[87]
^ab"소녀시대 태연-서현, 3D 애니 '슈퍼배드' 목소리 캐스팅" [Girls' Generation's Taeyeon and Seohyun cast as voice actors forDespicable Me].Newsen (in Korean). May 17, 2010. Archived fromthe original on December 3, 2013.
^Kim Geum-yeong (March 7, 2016).[공연 리뷰] 오뚝이 서현, 뮤지컬 '맘마미아!'의 뮤즈 될까 [[Review] Seohyun is back, but will she become the muse of 'Mamma Mia!'?].CNB Journal (in Korean).Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. RetrievedDecember 7, 2016.
^Park Jeong-hwan (March 7, 2016).[리뷰]서현의 키스에 삼촌관객 탄식 쏟아지고…뮤지컬 '맘마미아' [[Review] Seohyun's kiss, make uncle viewers sigh... Musical Mamma Mia].News1 (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. RetrievedNovember 26, 2016.
^"김선호·김정현·서주현·이선빈 남녀신인상 수상" [Kim Seon Ho, Kim Jung Hyun, Seo Joo Hyun, Lee Sun Bin won new artists awards].The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). December 31, 2017.Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. RetrievedDecember 31, 2017.
^abHyo-Jeong Yoon (April 11, 2022).58회 백상예술대상 5월6일 개최 [58th Baeksang Arts Awards held on May 6th].Naver (in Korean). News 1.Archived from the original on April 11, 2022. RetrievedApril 11, 2022.
^abAhn Byung-gil (April 11, 2022).58회 백상예술대상 후보 공개…영광의 주인공은? [58th Baeksang Arts Awards nominations revealed... Who is the hero of glory?] (in Korean).Sports Kyunghyang.Archived from the original on May 10, 2022. RetrievedApril 11, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Son Jin-ah (April 29, 2022).서현, 現소속사 나무엑터스와 재계약(공식) [Seohyun renews contract with current agency Namoo Actors (official)] (in Korean). MK Sports.Archived from the original on April 29, 2022. RetrievedApril 29, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Kim Hye-young (August 10, 2021).서현-나인우, 판타지 로맨스 '징크스의 연인' 출연 확정 [Seohyun-Ninewoo Confirmed to Star in Fantasy Romance 'Jinx's Lover'].iMBC (in Korean).Naver.Archived from the original on August 10, 2021. RetrievedAugust 10, 2021.
^Ahn Tae-hyun (January 1, 2023).'이방원' 주상욱·'법대로' 이승기, 대상…눈물의 소감(종합) [KBS연기대상] [Joo Sang-wook from 'Lee Bang-won' and Lee Seung-gi from 'Due to the Law', Daesang... Impressions of Tears (Comprehensive) [KBS Drama Awards]].News1 (in Korean).Archived from the original on December 31, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 1, 2023 – viaNaver.
^abPark Soo-in (March 14, 2022).김남길 서현 유재명 이현욱 이호정 '도적: 칼의 소리' 출연 확정 [Kim Nam-gil, Seo-hyeon, Yoo Jae-myung, Lee Hyun-wook, Lee Ho-jeong, confirmed to appear in 'The Thief: The Sound of the Sword'] (in Korean). Newsen.Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. RetrievedMarch 14, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Jang, Da-hee (April 24, 2025).서현, 나무엑터스와 계약 종료 "배우로 멋지게 성장, 응원할 것" [공식] [Seohyun, Contract with Namoo Actors Ends "I Will Support You as You Grow Greatly as an Actress" [Official]].iMBC (in Korean) – viaNaver.
^abKim Ji-eun (June 29, 2021).마동석 주연·제작 '거룩한 밤:데몬 헌터스' 크랭크인 [Ma Dong-seok starring and produced 'Holy Night: Demon Hunters' crank-in].Newsis (in Korean).Naver.Archived from the original on June 29, 2021. RetrievedJune 29, 2021.
^Kim, Jong-eun (May 15, 2025).소녀시대 서현, 리드엔터와 전속계약 [공식입장] [Girls' Generation's Seohyun Signs Exclusive Contract with Lead Entertainment [Official Statement]].iMBC (in Korean).Archived from the original on May 15, 2025.
^abKim, Sang-hyeop (November 28, 2024).'소녀시대 서현×2PM 옥택연' KBS 드라마서 '첫 호흡' ['Girls' Generation Seohyun x 2PM Ok Taecyeon' 'First Collaboration' in KBS Drama] (in Korean).KBS News. RetrievedNovember 29, 2024 – viaNaver.
^abJeon-hwa (February 8, 2023).[단독] 서현, SF영화 '왕을 찾아서' 주연..구교환 유재명과 호흡 [[Exclusive] Seohyun, starring in the sci-fi movie 'Finding the King'.] (in Korean).Ilgan Sports.Archived from the original on February 8, 2023. RetrievedFebruary 8, 2023.
^Yoo Byung-chul (April 13, 2022).서현, 지역사회 내 취약계층 청소년 위해 여성용품 기부 [Seohyun donates women's products to underprivileged youth in the local community] (in Korean). Korea Economy TV.Archived from the original on April 13, 2022. RetrievedApril 13, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Cheon Seol-hwa (May 27, 2022).서현, 청량미 가득한 여름 화보 공개 [Seohyun reveals summer pictorial full of refreshing beauty] (in Korean). StarDaily News.Archived from the original on March 9, 2024. RetrievedMarch 9, 2024.
^메트로시티, 새 뮤즈로 서현 발탁…24시즌 캠페인 공개 [Metrocity selects Seohyun as new muse... 24 season campaign released] (in Korean).Sports Seoul. January 2, 2024.Archived from the original on March 9, 2024. RetrievedMarch 9, 2024.
^Ha, Kyung-heon (January 29, 2008).'소녀시대' 멤버 전원 '깜짝연기'...시트콤 '못말리는 결혼' [All 'Girls' Generation' members 'surprise acting'...Sitcom 'Unstoppable Marriage'] (in Korean).Sports Kyunghyang.Archived from the original on January 17, 2022. RetrievedJanuary 17, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Kim, Min-ji (January 13, 2017).[골든디스크 레드카펫] 서현 "정용화와 '우결' 이후 6년 만에 만남...반가워" [[Golden Disk Red Carpet] Seohyun "Meeting Jung Yong-hwa for the first time in 6 years since 'We Got Married'...Nice to meet you"] (in Korean). X-ports News.Archived from the original on March 8, 2023. RetrievedMarch 8, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Kwak Hyun-soo (September 23, 2021).신동엽·서현, '2021 TMA'서 MC 호흡 [Shin Dong-yup and Seohyun to be MCs at '2021 TMA].YTN (in Korean).Archived from the original on January 14, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 23, 2021 – viaNaver.
^Park Yoon-jin (September 14, 2022).전현무·서현, '더팩트 뮤직 어워즈' MC 확정…네 번째 만남 [Jeon Hyun-moo and Seohyun confirmed as MCs for 'The Fact Music Awards'... fourth meeting] (in Korean).MyDaily.Archived from the original on September 14, 2022. RetrievedSeptember 14, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Kang Da-yoon (December 3, 2024).장성규X서현X문상민, '2024 KBS 연기대상' 공동 MC 확정 [공식] [Jang Sung-kyu X Seohyun X Moon Sang-min, confirmed as co-MCs for '2024 KBS Drama Awards' [Official]].MyDaily (in Korean).Naver. RetrievedDecember 3, 2024.
^2022 KBS 연기대상 > 연기대상 투표하기.디지털 KBS (in Korean). December 13, 2022.Archived from the original on December 13, 2022. RetrievedDecember 13, 2022.
^서현, 2022 KBS연기대상 2관왕 '징크스의 연인' [Seohyun wins 2 awards at the 2022 KBS Drama Awards for 'Jinx's Lover'].KBS Media (in Korean). January 1, 2023.Archived from the original on January 1, 2023. RetrievedJanuary 1, 2023.
^"김선호·김정현·서주현·이선빈 남녀신인상 수상" [Kim Sun Hee, Kim Jung Hyun, Seo Joo Hyun, Lee Sun Bin won new artists awards].The Dong-A Ilbo (in Korean). December 31, 2017.Archived from the original on December 25, 2020. RetrievedDecember 31, 2017.
^"'MBC 연기대상' 소지섭·김선아 수목 미니시리즈 최우수상 수상" ['MBC Drama Awards' So Ji-sub and Kim Sun-ah Win Best Miniseries in Wednesday-Thursday].Sports DongA (in Korean). December 31, 2018.Archived from the original on November 13, 2024. RetrievedNovember 13, 2024.최우수연기상 수목 미니시리즈 여자 부문에는 '붉은 달 푸른 해' 김선아, '시간' 서현, '손 꼭 잡는 지는 석양을 바라보자' 한혜진이 후보로 오른 가운데 수상은 김선아에게로 돌아갔다. [Among the nominees for the Best Actress in a Wednesday-Thursday Miniseries award were Kim Sun-a from "The Red Moon, the Blue Sun," Seo Hyun from "Time," and Han Hye-jin from "Let's Watch the Sunset While Holding Hands Tight," the award went to Kim Sun-a.]
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