Byeon Woo-seok

Byeon Woo-seok is a South Korean model and actor born on October 31, 1991. He began his career in the entertainment industry as a fashion model in 2010 before transitioning into acting. Over his career, he has appeared in numerous television series and films, gaining widespread recognition for his starring role in the television series Lovely Runner and his film debut in the Netflix production 20th Century Girl.

Byeon was born in Bucheon, South Korea, where he spent his early childhood before his family relocated to Seoul. He grew up with an older sister who works as a flight attendant. After graduating from Wooshin High School, he enrolled in the Department of Theater and Film at Cheongju University with the goal of becoming an actor. However, while seeking agency representation, he was signed as a model and discontinued his university studies after completing his first semester. He later fulfilled his mandatory military service from November 2011 to August 2013 as an administrative officer in the Public Relations Department of the 37th Division.

His modeling career launched in 2010 and encompassed work in Seoul Fashion Week, fashion shows, magazine features in publications such as Arena, Cosmopolitan, W, and Elle, and work as a model trainer. In 2015, he made his international runway debut at the 2015 F/W Men's Fashion Show. Byeon ventured into acting with minor roles in television series including Dear My Friends, Moon Lovers: Scarlet Heart Ryeo, and Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-joo. He subsequently secured leading roles in Drama Stage History of Walking Upright in 2017 and Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency in 2019.

Byeon expanded his acting profile with a main role in Record of Youth in 2020 and an award-winning performance in the historical drama Moonshine in 2021. He made his feature film debut in the Netflix film 20th Century Girl, which premiered in 2022, followed by a leading role in Soulmate in 2023. Also in 2022, he was cast in Strong Girl Nam-soon. His breakthrough occurred with his portrayal of Ryu Sun-jae in the 2024 time-slip romance series Lovely Runner. To prepare for the role, he took singing lessons, and the series soundtrack "Sudden Shower," performed by Byeon as Eclipse, entered the Billboard Global 200.

Following his breakthrough, Byeon made a special appearance in No Gain No Love and was cast in projects including MBC's Perfect Crown and Netflix's live-action adaptation of Solo Leveling. For his acting performances, he received the Best New Actor award at the 2022 KBS Drama Awards and the Daesang at the Asia Artist Awards 2024, alongside multiple nominations at the Baeksang Arts Awards, Buil Film Awards, and Grand Bell Awards.

Beyond acting, Byeon has served as a brand ambassador and model for numerous brands, including Elvine, Discovery Expedition Korea, LG Household & Health Care, Nonghyup Bank, Clinique, Dashu, Giordano, Prada, and Cartier. He has also engaged in philanthropic efforts, making donations to Severance Hospital for pediatric and adolescent patient treatment, the Hope Bridge Korea Disaster Relief Association for wildfire relief, and G foundation to assist underprivileged female adolescents.