Actress Lee Se-young’s candid revelations about her acting career have been drawing attention, shedding light on her journey from a child actor to one of Korea’s most trusted stars.
A Unique Start: Acting as a Safety Measure
Appearing on MBC’s Radio Star on February 3, 2022, Lee Se-young opened up about the surprising reason behind her acting debut. She revealed, “I debuted when I was six years old. At that time, there were many kidnapping cases, and my parents worried I might be a target because of my appearance. They thought if my face became well-known, it would either deter kidnappers or help others recognize me more easily.” This unusual start, meant as a protective measure, gradually evolved into a lifelong passion.
Following this confession, Lee Se-young’s childhood photos resurfaced online, with netizens once again praising her “legendary beauty” — her doll-like features and clear, expressive eyes leaving a lasting impression even today.
Her early acting experiences also helped shape her career mindset. Recalling her role in the Chuseok special drama Kitchen Maid, she spoke about a memorable scene where her character gets drunk after secretly drinking alcohol while running an errand. “That was the first time acting felt really fun. It felt real, and I think that’s when I discovered my passion for acting,” she said. From a young age, she also had clear ambitions, choosing roles where she could play original characters rather than simply portraying the younger versions of adult actors.
Behind-the-Scenes from The Red Sleeve
In the same Radio Star episode, Lee Se-young shared interesting behind-the-scenes stories from her projects. She discussed how she immerses herself in her roles by setting photos of her co-stars as her phone wallpaper. For the drama The Red Sleeve, she used Lee Junho’s face as her wallpaper, explaining that this practice started during her work on The Crowned Clown, where she did the same with Yeo Jin-gu.
Lee Se-young also shared, “Junho oppa was also asked in an interview if he had any picture set as his wallpaper. He said he would do it later, since he didn’t like me in the drama yet. When asked, ‘Did you do it now?’ he said he was too shy to set the photo, so he asked me to sign a Polaroid picture taken at the press conference, and used it as a background screen.”
A Career Built on Talent and Sincerity
Lee Se-young’s acting career has been built steadily from her childhood days in historical dramas like Dae Jang Geum, Women of the Palace, and Queen Seondeok. As she matured, she transitioned naturally into adult roles, gaining recognition for her solid acting skills. Her versatility has been on full display in recent works like The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract and The Law Cafe, where she continues to captivate audiences.
Beyond acting, she has also shown a down-to-earth and disciplined side on variety shows like On & Off, earning her even more fans. Her calm and elegant black-haired style has become a trending topic on social media, with many saying, “Lee Se-young is at her peak beauty.”
What began as a way to protect a pretty child has grown into a career built on talent, sincerity, and relentless effort. Today, Lee Se-young stands as one of the most beloved and respected actresses in the industry, proving that her success is no coincidence.