Seohyun facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Seohyun
Seohyun in 2024
Born	Seo Ju-hyun (1991-06-28) June 28, 1991 (age 34) Seoul, South Korea
Alma mater	Dongguk University
Occupation	Singer actress songwriter
Agent	Lead Entertainment
Musical career
Genres	K-pop R&B
Years active	2007–present
Labels	SM
Korean name
Hangul	서주현
RR	Seo Juhyeon
MR	Sŏ Chuhyŏn
Stage name
Hangul	서현
RR	Seohyeon
MR	Sŏhyŏn
Signature

Seo Ju-hyun (Hangul: 서주현; born June 28, 1991), known as Seohyun, is a South Korean singer, actress, and songwriter. She became famous as a member of the girl group Girls' Generation in August 2007. This group became one of the most popular and best-selling music groups in South Korea and around the world. Seohyun also released her own music, starting with her first album Don't Say No in 2017. She later left her first music company, SM Entertainment, but she is still a member of Girls' Generation.

Besides her singing career, Seohyun has also become a successful actress. She appeared in TV shows like Passionate Love (2013) and Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo (2016). She then took on main roles in dramas such as Bad Thief, Good Thief (2017), Time (2018), Private Lives (2020), Jinxed at First (2022), Song of the Bandits (2023) and The First Night with the Duke (2025). She also starred in movies like Love and Leashes (2022) and Holy Night: Demon Hunters (2025). Seohyun has also performed in popular stage musicals, including Moon Embracing the Sun, Gone with the Wind, and Mamma Mia.

Early Life and Education

Growing Up in Seoul

Seohyun was born Seo Ju-hyun on June 28, 1991, in Seoul, South Korea. She is the only child in her family. Her mother was in charge of a piano school, and Seohyun learned to play the piano, violin, and traditional Korean drums when she was very young. She also learned horseback riding and skating. Her parents did not push her to become a celebrity, but Seohyun says they helped her choose her path by letting her try many different activities.

Becoming a Trainee

When Seohyun was in fifth grade, a talent scout found her while she was riding a subway train. She sang children's songs for her audition at SM Entertainment, a big entertainment company, and was accepted as a trainee. Seohyun looked up to singers like BoA, S.E.S, and Fin.K.L. She said she thought it was "cool to show and communicate the emotions through songs."

School and University

Seohyun finished Jeonju Arts High School in February 2010. She then went to Dongguk University to study theatre acting. She graduated in August 2014 and even received an award at her graduation ceremony. Her fellow Girls' Generation member, Yoona, also went to the same university.

Career

2007–2011: Starting Her Career

Debuting with Girls' Generation

In August 2007, Seohyun officially started her career as the youngest member of the girl group Girls' Generation. The group quickly became very popular after they released their hit song "Gee" in 2009.

Early Solo Work

Seohyun's first solo projects were mostly songs for special projects and movie soundtracks. One of her duets, "JjaLaJaJJa" with singer Joo Hyun-mi, was even nominated for "Trot Music of the Year" at the 2009 Mnet Asian Music Awards.

TV Shows and Voice Acting

From 2010 to 2011, Seohyun appeared on the TV show We Got Married 2 with CNBLUE's Yonghwa. They pretended to be a married couple on the show. Seohyun also lent her voice to the Korean versions of the animated movies Despicable Me (2010) and Despicable Me 2 (2013). She voiced the character Edith, who is known for being a bit rebellious.

2012–2016: TTS and Musical Acting

Forming TTS

In April 2012, Seohyun, along with fellow Girls' Generation members Taeyeon and Tiffany, formed a smaller group called TTS. Their first album, Twinkle, was very successful and became one of the best-selling albums in South Korea that year. The group later released two more albums: Holler (2014) and Dear Santa (2015).

Writing Songs

Besides singing, Seohyun also started writing lyrics for songs. She helped write "Baby Maybe" and "XYZ" for Girls' Generation's album I Got a Boy (2013). She was also the only lyricist for "Only U" (from Holler, 2014) and "Dear Santa" (from Dear Santa, 2015).

Starting Acting in Dramas

In 2013, Seohyun began her acting career in the TV drama Passionate Love. She played Han Yu-rim, a veterinary student and the first love of the main character. The director praised her acting, saying she understood the role very well.

Performing in Musicals

Seohyun loves both singing and acting, so she became interested in musical theatre. She looked up to musical actress Ock Joo-hyun, who later became her teacher. After turning down offers because she felt she wasn't ready, Seohyun finally made her musical debut in January 2014. She starred in Moon Embracing the Sun, playing the main role of Yeon-woo.

Seohyun performing in the Gone with the Wind musical in 2015

In January 2015, Seohyun played Scarlett O'Hara in the Korean version of Autant en emporte le vent, a musical based on Gone with the Wind. She received good reviews for her performance. Critics noted her strong voice and how well she showed Scarlett O'Hara's character.

From February to June 2016, Seohyun starred in the Korean version of the musical Mamma Mia. She played Sophie, a young woman trying to find her biological father before her wedding. Critics praised her improved acting and how natural she seemed in the role. Seohyun also had supporting roles in the Chinese film So I Married An Anti-fan and the historical drama Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo. For Moon Lovers, she won a Special Acting Award at the 2016 SBS Drama Awards.

2017–2018: Solo Music and New Beginnings

Releasing Her Own Album

Seohyun at a fashion event in January 2018

In January 2017, Seohyun became the third Girls' Generation member to release her own solo album. It was called Don't Say No. Seohyun was very involved in making this album, which allowed her to show her own musical style. Billboard magazine noted that the album showed a "new maturity" for the singer. Don't Say No quickly became number one on the South Korean music charts. To celebrate, she held a series of concerts called "Love, Still – Seohyun."

More Acting Roles

After appearing in the web-drama Ruby Ruby Love, Seohyun starred in the TV drama Bad Thief, Good Thief. She played Kang So-joo, a police officer who becomes an investigator to fight against corrupt officials. Her performance earned her the Best New Actress award at the 2017 MBC Drama Awards.

Leaving SM Entertainment

In October 2017, Seohyun's contract with SM Entertainment ended, and she decided to leave the company. However, she continued to be a member of Girls' Generation.

In 2018, Seohyun took on the main female role in the drama The Time. She played Seol Ji-hyun, a cheerful woman who becomes sad after her sibling's tragic death. In September 2018, Seohyun announced her first fan meeting tour, called Memories, which took her to cities like Seoul, Bangkok, and Hong Kong.

2019–2024: New Agency and Continued Acting

Joining Namoo Actors

In March 2019, Seohyun signed with a new company called Namoo Actors. A year later, she starred in the short drama Hello Dracula. She played An-na, an elementary school teacher who kept her feelings hidden from her mother. Later that year, she starred in the JTBC TV series Private Lives as Cha Joo-eun, a con artist who has to use tricky ways to survive.

Seohyun at the KBS Drama Awards in 2022

Film and TV Success

In February 2022, Seohyun made her debut as a lead actress in a movie with the Netflix film Love and Leashes. She played Jung Ji-woo, a public relations team member who discovers an unusual secret about her co-worker. Her acting in this role earned her a nomination for Best New Actress 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 Lee Seul-bi, a character who can see the future of anyone she touches. This role won her the Best New Actress award at the 2022 KBS Drama Awards, and she also won the Best Couple Award with her co-star Na In-woo.

In September 2023, she starred in the Netflix series Song of the Bandits. She played Nam Hee Shin, an independence activist who pretended to be a high-ranking official in the Japanese government.

2025–Present: New Agency and Upcoming Projects

Changing Agencies Again

On April 24, 2025, Seohyun's contract with Namoo Actors ended. She then starred in the action-horror film Holy Night: Demon Hunters as Sharon, an exorcist who is part of a team of demon hunters. The movie was released on April 30, 2025, and opened at number one at the Korean box office. As of June 16, 2025, the film has earned over $6.4 million worldwide.

On May 15, 2025, Seohyun signed a new contract with Lead Entertainment.

Return to TV Dramas

After three years, Seohyun returned to TV dramas with the romantic-comedy series The First Night with the Duke. The series started on KBS2 on June 11, 2025. She played K, a college student who wakes up inside her favorite historical romance book. She takes on the body of a supporting character, Cha Seon-chaek, and unexpectedly changes the story of the book.

Seohyun has also been announced to star in the upcoming film Seeking the King.

Other Ventures

Helping Others (Philanthropy)

In 2011, Seohyun said that former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was her role model. She said his book helped her through tough times. She was chosen as an ambassador for the United Nations Pavilion at the Yeosu Expo, where Ban Ki-moon himself gave her the honor.

In 2013, Seohyun donated 100 million Korean won to Dongguk University to help students who needed support with their studies.

In 2020, Seohyun donated 100 million Korean won worth of feminine products to a charity called Official Development Association Korea.

In April 2022, Seohyun donated 17,000 sanitary pads for women. These products were given to 31 organizations, including family support centers and children's centers, and helped 500 students from diverse and low-income families.

Brand Partnerships (Endorsements)

From 2011 to 2013, Seohyun was the official international ambassador for the cosmetics brand The Face Shop.

From 2016 to 2018, Seohyun was chosen as the South Korean ambassador for the hair care brand Pantene, along with her fellow group member Yuri.

In 2021, Seohyun became the Asia-Pacific ambassador for the beauty brand Clinique.

In May 2022, Seohyun was chosen as the face of the South Korean jewelry brand TirrLirr. In the same year, she also became the muse for ACWELL, a Korean natural dermatology cosmetic brand.

In January 2024, the fashion and lifestyle brand Metrocity selected Seohyun as their muse and ambassador for the year.

Discography

Extended Plays

• Don't Say No (2017)

Filmography

Denotes productions that have not yet been released

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes	Ref.
2010	Despicable Me	Edith (voice)	Korean dub
2012	I AM. – SM Town Live World Tour in Madison Square Garden	Herself	Documentary
2013	Despicable Me 2	Edith (voice)	Korean dub
2014	My Brilliant Life	Herself	Cameo
2015	SMTown The Stage		Documentary
2016	So I Married An Anti-fan	Irene	Chinese film
2022	Love and Leashes	Jung Ji-woo
2025	Holy Night: Demon Hunters	Sharon
TBA	Seeking the King	Jeong-ae

Television Series

Web Series

Television Shows

Hosting

Theater

Awards and Nominations

State Honors

See also

In Spanish: Seohyun para niños