You might’ve fallen in love with Ryu Sun-jae first, but the man behind him may charm you even more. Meet the one and only Byeon Woo-seok!
After getting his well-deserved big break with Lovely Runner, Byeon Woo-seok has steadily made a name for himself worldwide. Not only has he captivated viewers with his endearing dimples, but he’s also showcased his magnetic presence as a leading man. But before becoming everyone’s latest K-drama crush, he was a rising star who built his career through numerous side roles and years of hard work.
Curious about him beyond the screen? From his modest roots to fun little tidbits, here are seven interesting facts you may not know about Byeon Woo-seok.
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1. He finished his military service in 2013.
No more waiting! Byeon Woo-seok already completed his mandatory military service before his debut in the industry.
As mandated by law, South Korea requires all healthy Korean men between 18 and 28 to enlist in the military for roughly 18-21 months. He was only 22 when he was discharged in 2013, entering the fashion and entertainment field shortly after.
2. Before becoming an actor, he started his career as a model.
With his good looks and physique, you might’ve assumed he was a model before being an actor — and you’d be correct! Although he started modeling earlier, he officially signed with YG KPLUS (now KPLUS) in 2014 and gradually added more projects to his professional portfolio. A year later, he made his international debut at the F/W 2015 Men’s Fashion Show in Milan.
In an interview with The Korea Times, he shared how his parents weren’t happy with his career choice at first. However, he persevered and gained their support after showing his sincere dedication. He even won awards for his modeling, further proving his potential.
3. He’s close friends with many fellow model-actors, including Joo Woo-jae and Kim Jae-young.
With his approachable and friendly personality, it’s no surprise that Woo-seok makes friends easily. When he was a model for KPLUS, he naturally bonded with other models-turned-actors, including Jang Ki-yong, Park Hyeong-seop, Nam Joo-hyuk, and Joo Woo-jae. You can see him interacting with his model friends through the videos at KPLUS’ YouTube channel from 2014-2017.
Nowadays, he still keeps in touch with them, especially Joo Woo-jae, who is now an active entertainer and regular cast member in the variety show Hangout with Yoo. He’s also grown close with The Judge from Hell‘s Kim Jae-young, often seen hanging out together with Woo-jae via social media posts. What a star-studded friend group!
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4. He once failed a modeling audition for Prada, but now he’s a proud ambassador for the brand.
Despite his promising career, Woo-seok’s modeling days weren’t easy. In ELLE Korea’s March 2025 issue, he revealed how he previously auditioned for Prada and failed on the second round. Despite this unfortunate event, he happily reunited with the Italian luxury brand in 2024 — now as an esteemed ambassador.
Following this incredible news, he was invited to attend the F/W 2025 Womenswear Fashion Show in Milan last March. Although he came as an actor, he was able to revisit his roots while proudly carrying his love for both fields.
5. Aside from dramas and films, he has starred in a few music videos.
When he started acting, Woo-seok wasn’t only open to playing roles in television shows and films. He also has experience acting in music videos, with his first being Lena Park’s “Sweet (2014)” featuring Verbal Jint. Alongside model-actress Jung Eugene, he played one half of a loving couple.
In 2018, he also featured in Hanclef’s “Maiden Flight” as an ex-officer worker enjoying his time at an amusement park after quitting his job. And finally, he briefly appeared in Lee So-ra’s “Song Request (2019)” featuring BTS’ Suga. While he doesn’t do music video roles often, it’s a fun surprise for fans, especially those who didn’t recognize him on the first watch.
6. He’s a lovable family man through and through.
He may have captured the hearts of millions because of his swoon-worthy charms, but nobody knows Woo-seok’s warm-hearted nature more than his family.
In Yoo Jae-suk and Cho Sae-ho’s Yoo Quiz on the Block, he fondly talked about the close relationship he has with his family. He loves showing his parents affection, whether through words or hugs — and the same goes vice versa. When asked why, he simply says, “I want to receive kisses from my parents for the rest of my life.” No matter his age, he wishes to express his love freely and unapologetically.
7. His rise to fame didn’t happen overnight.
Woo-seok’s transition from modeling to acting wasn’t a sudden decision. Although he loved being a model, his heart still yearned for something else. When he debuted as an actor in 2016, he found his true passion and tirelessly worked his way up in the industry. However, his new journey wasn’t all that smooth either.
In Hong Seok-cheon’s Jewel Box, he told the hosts that he had failed auditions about 100 times. It got to a point where he started second-guessing himself, but just as he did with modeling, he didn’t give up. By 2020, Woo-seok landed one of his first major roles in Record of Youth next to big names such as Park So-dam and Park Bo-gum. He described this as a new start in his career, a turning point that changed his life for the better.
Slowly but surely, he started gaining more acting opportunities like Moonshine (2021), 20th Century Girl (2022), and Strong Girl Nam-soon (2023). Because of his diligent efforts through the years, he found his way to Lovely Runner (2024) — and the rest, as they say, is history.
The Cure to Monday Blues, Byeon Woo-seok
From runway rookie to one of South Korea’s top stars, Byeon Woo-seok has claimed his spot in the spotlight. Moreover, his popularity shows no signs of stopping as he’s already gearing up for his next buzz-worthy performance. This includes the recently-announced live action adaptation of hit manhwa Solo Leveling; and Wife of a 21st Century Prince with co-lead IU, which is set to release in 2026.
He also recently concluded a successful fan meeting this July 19 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. As Dunkin’ Philippines’ newest brand ambassador, he greeted Filipino fans with his equally-addictive sweetness. This marks his second time in the country after his first fan meet last June 2024.
Woo-seok’s schedule is packed to the brim with projects and even more with fans’ love. After overcoming countless setbacks, he’s finally getting the flowers he deserves. And this is only the beginning.
Sources: VARO Entertainment, Byeon Woo-seok Official IG, Joo Woo-jae Official IG, Prada Official IG, The Korea Times, KPLUS Official YouTube Channel, ELLE Korea, Yoo Quiz on the Block, Hong Seok-cheon’s Jewel Box
