Jeon Jong Seo

Biography

Jeon Jong-seo is a South Korean film actress. She gained international attention for her breakthrough role in the 2018 film Burning, which earned critical acclaim at major film festivals. Since then, Jeon has appeared in a range of domestically and internationally released films and television series, showcasing her versatility and depth as a performer.

Early Life and Education

Jeon Jong-seo was born on August 31, 1994, in Seoul, South Korea. She grew up in Seoul and developed an early interest in the arts. Although detailed information about her family and early childhood is kept private, Jeon pursued studies in Sejong University College of Arts and Physical Education. Her background in visual arts contributed to her aesthetic sensibilities, later influencing her approach to performance and character interpretation.

Career

Breakthrough with Burning (2018)

Jeon Jong-seo made her acting debut with a breakthrough performance in the film Burning (2018), directed by Lee Chang-dong. Adapted from Haruki Murakami’s short story “Barn Burning,” the film was screened at the 2018 Cannes Film Festival and received widespread critical acclaim.

In Burning, Jeon portrayed Hae-mi, a complex and enigmatic young woman whose presence becomes central to the film’s psychological mystery. Her nuanced performance drew significant attention from both domestic and international critics, marking her as one of the most notable emerging talents in Korean cinema.

International and Domestic Work (2019–Present)

Following her breakout, Jeon continued to expand her filmography with both Korean and international projects. In 2019, she starred in Money, a crime thriller in which she played Soon-young, a sharp and determined character navigating the world of financial crime.

Jeon made her English-language debut in Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon (2021), directed by Ana Lily Amirpour. In the film, she played Mona, a mysterious runaway with supernatural abilities, demonstrating her range across genres and languages.

In 2022, she starred in Ballerina (Netflix), an action thriller set in the John Wick universe, acting opposite Ana de Armas. Jeon’s performance as a formidable assassin highlighted her versatility in action roles within global blockbuster cinema.

She also appeared in the fantasy film The Call (2020) and the science-fiction drama Kill Boksoon (2023), further diversifying her on-screen presence.

Filmography

Film

• Burning (2018)
• Money (2019)
• The Call (2020)
• Mona Lisa and the Blood Moon (2021)
• Ballerina (2022)
• Kill Boksoon (2023)
• Project Y (2025)

Drama

• Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area – Part 1 (2022)
• Bargain (2022)
• Money Heist: Korea – Joint Economic Area – Part 2 (2022)
• Wedding Impossible (2024)
• Queen Woo (2024)

Relationship + Controversy

On December 3, 2021, Korean media outlets reported that Jeon Jong-seo is in a romantic relationship with director Lee Chung-hyun, who she met while filming “The Call”. The couple later confirmed this news, and still stay together until now.

In 2024, before the release of her latest work, “Queen Woo”, Jeon Jong-seo faced allegations of school violence. However, the actress directly denied these rumors at a press conference for the aforementioned K-drama. 

Prior to this, Jeon Jong-seo suffered from controversy over her poor acting skills in the K-drama “Wedding Impossible.” Her cool and dull facial expressions were deemed unsuitable for a romance drama. In addition, she was criticized for her poor ability to deliver her lines.

On October 16, Jeon Jong-seo was discovered to be following a private Instagram account that leaves various malicious comments about idol-actress Hyeri, prompting controversies. Said private Instagram account, meanwhile, is suspected to belong to Han So-hee, who was once in a “feud” with Hyeri after dating Hyeri’s ex-boyfriend, Ryu Jun-yeol.

Regarding this, the actress’ agency simply stated that they cannot confirm the situation since this is the actress’ personal life.