Biography of Sejeong

Kim Se-jeong is a South Korean actress and singer commonly known as Sejeong. Her career in music is marked by winning second place in the K-pop group survival reality show ‘Produce 101’. She is a member of the girl group I.O.I, which was formed by the top 11 contestants of Produce 101, which got disbanded in January 2017. She was a member of the girl group Gugudan by Jellyfish Entertainment.

At present she is an active solo artist and actress celebrated for her lead roles in the television dramas, ‘School 2017’, ‘The Uncanny Counter’ and ‘Business Proposal’.

Early Life and Education

Sejeong was born on 28 August 1996, in Gimje, North Jeolla Province, South Korea. Later, she moved to Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea where she stayed at her aunt’s house along with her mother and older brother. Her parents got divorced when she was very young. During her school days, she always grabbed the opportunity to be an active participant in multiple competitions.

She was a dynamic member of the theatre club in her high school. She made it to Jellyfish Entertainment auditions after overcoming multiple competitions consisting of thousands of participants and was selected as a trainee for Jellyfish Entertainment. She studied practical music at Hanyang Women’s University.

Career

Musical Career

Sejeong participated in the second season of the television show ‘K-pop Star 2’ in 2012. She got eliminated and was brought back through the wild card entry by Yang Hyun-suk, a South Korean music executive and producer. Towards the last round, she was eliminated from the competition.

Along with Kim Na-young and Kang Mi-na, she represented Jellyfish Entertainment in January 2016 for the reality survival show ‘Produce 101’. The reality show was the entry card to debut in Mnet project girl group I.O.I. She earned the nickname ‘God Sejeong’ as she ranked first place in several episodes of the show. The final lineup of I.O.I was announced, consisting of 11 poll-winners (Jeon So-mi, Kim Se-jeong, Choi Yoo-jung, Kim Chung-ha, Kim So-hye, Zhou Jieqiong, Jung Chae-yeon, Kim Do-yeon, Kang Mi-na, Lim Na-young and Yoo Yeon-jung).

Kim Se-jeong received 5,25,352 votes and was the runner-up contestant officially becoming a member of the girl group I.O.I. I.O.I made their official debut single on 4 May 2016, with their first EP ‘Chrysalis’ with the lead single ‘Dream Girls’. The song promotes the message of pursuing one’s dream without giving up hope. I.O.I was disbanded in 2017 and the members returned to their respective agencies.

While still a member of I.O.I, along with Kang Mi-na, a fellow member of I.O.I, she officially debuted as the members of the South Korean girl group ‘Gugudan’ on 28 June 2016 with the lead single ‘Wonderland’. She participated in the Jelly Box, a Jellyfish entertainment’s music channel project.

On 22 November 2022, Kim Se-jeong released her single ‘Flower Way’ by Jellyfish Entertainment and the song was ranked number two on the Gaon Digital Chart. The single Flower Way was produced by Zico, the South Korean rapper, record producer, singer and songwriter. She released the song ‘If Only’ on 12 January 2017 as the soundtrack for the drama ‘The Legend of the Blue Sea’.

She collaborated with Lee Tae-il of Block B, the South Korean boy band managed by KQ Entertainment for the release of the digital single ‘I Like You, I Don’t’. The digital single ranked number 8 on the Gaon Music Chart. On 13 October 2017, Sejeong released the digital single ‘Star Blossom’ along with Doyoung, a member of the South Korean boy band NCT for SM Station Season 2 music project.

She has also established herself for her charm in several variety shows and popular entertainment programs. she has earned the nickname ‘Variety Cheat Key’ for displaying her talents on stage. Kim Se-jeong joined the reality-documentary ‘Law of the Jungle’ in Sumatra and also in Boat Horn Clenched. She won the Best Challenge Award at the 11th SBS Entertainment Awards. Her band Gugudan sang the soundtrack titled ‘Believe in this Moment’ for School 2017.

Sejeong and LEO of VIXX, Jellyfish Entertainment artist, sang the official cheer song ‘We, the Reds’ for the South Korea national football team for the 2018 World Cup Tournament. In 2018, Mina, Nayoung and her formed a Gududan subgroup named Gugudan SeMiNa and made their debut on 10 July 2018 with the single SeMiNa. She released the song ‘Paramour’ for the album Mr. Sunshine in 2018.

On 2 December 2019, she released her single ‘Tunnel’ in association with Dingo Music. She sang the soundtrack ‘All of My Days’ for the romantic comedy ‘Crash Landing on You’, which ranked number 50 on the Gaon Digital Chart. In 2020, she released the soundtrack ‘What My Heart Says’ for the ‘Record of Youth’. On 17 August 2020, she released her digital single ‘Whale’.

She made her contribution not only by acting but also through her self-written and composed song ‘Meet Again’, which ranked 147 on the Goan Digital chart. On 31 December 2020, Jellyfish Entertainment officially disbanded Gugudan and Kim Se-jeong renewed her contract with the company as a solo artist and actress on 11 May 2021.

She released her second EP ‘I’m’ with its lead single ‘Warning’ on 29 March 2021. She collaborated with Municon on 23 July 2021 and released the digital single ‘Baby I Love U’ by Japanese singer TEE. In 2021, Sejeong, Jun Hyun-moo and Lee Sang-yi hosted the 2021 MBC Entertainment Awards. An acoustic version of Love Maybe was released in 2022 and was ranked 108 and 92 on the Gaon Digital Chart and K-pop Hot 100 respectively.

Acting Career

Sejeong’s first major acting lead role was in the South Korean television series ‘School 2017’ along with Kim Jung-hyun, Jang Dong-yoon, Han Sun-hwa and Han Joo-wan. She won the ‘Best New Actress’ at the ’31st KBS Drama Awards’ for her lead role as Ra Eun-ho. She was a part of Netflix’s first Korean variety show ‘Busted!’.

She has showcased her talent in MC for ‘OnStyle’s Get It Beauty’ as well as a special co-host for Baek Jong-won’s ‘Alley Restaurant’. She has also been featured in the tvN’s sci-fi variety program ‘Galileo: Awakened Universe’ exposing the idea of life on Mars. Kim Se-jeong, along with the members of the MDRS team led by Kim Byung-man, were the first Korean entertainment crew to be at the Research Station in Utah, United States of MDRS.

She played her second lead role in the romantic comedy series ‘I Wanna Hear Your Song’ starring Yeon Woo-jin, Song Jae-rim and Park Ji-yeon. She played the character Hong Yi-young, a pianist who suffers from insomnia. For her character, she won the ‘K-Drama Hallyu Star Award’ at the 2019 ‘KBS Drama Awards’.

She made her musical debut as the female lead in ‘Return: The Promise of the Day’, an army musical glorifying the heroic soldiers who died for their country during the Korean War. She starred in the fantasy mystery thriller ‘The Uncanny Counter’ as Do Ha-na. The series narrates the story of a group of paranormal-hunters who fight the evil spirits that escape from the afterlife. The drama was a commercial success with high audience reception and in demand for a season 2 by becoming the highest-rated OCN series of all time.

She made her second musical appearance in the musical drama ‘Red Book’ which unfolds in the Victorian era and how the female author identifies herself against the world’s criticism and prejudice. She played the protagonist of the story Anna, who was a difference in the Victorian era. The musical holds the highest viewer rating and ranked among the top 20 sales for 2021 musicals. The musical won the ‘Best Picture Award’ and Kim Se-jeong was nominated for the ‘Best New Musical Actress’ at the 2022 ‘Korean Musical Awards’.

Kim Se-jeong starred in the romantic comedy television series ‘Business Proposal’ opposite to Ahn Hyo-seop, directed by Park Seon-ho in 2022. The drama was celebrated as Netflix’s Most Popular Non-English Shows 2022 and she was recognized for her acting skills and earned the nickname ‘Emma Stone of Korea’ as well as the new Romantic Comedy Princess. She starred in the coming-of-age drama ‘Today’s Webtoon’ as On Ma-eum, a judo athlete adapting herself to her new job after her injury as an athlete.

Achievements

As a versatile solo artist and actress, Sejeong stole the hearts of the audience both domestically and internationally with her acting and singing talents. She has also won popular awards and has hosted multiple sophisticated events with prominent artists. Here are some of her notable achievements:

• Sejeong won the Popularity and Best Actor Award at Asia Artist Awards.
• Sejeong was ranked 6th for RACOI’s Most Mentioned Drama Actors/Actress 2022.
• Sejeong won the Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Mini series Romance/Comedy Drama, Best Couple Award for her role in Business Proposal.
• Sejeong won the 2017 SBS Entertainment Award for Best Challenger for Law of the Jungle.

Endorsements

Sejeong is regarded as the Top CF star 2021, for her contribution as an advertising model in different areas including food, architecture, home appliances, games etc. She won first place in the Female Advertising Model Brand Reputation survey in 2017.

She was the Global Advertising Model for Crocs, Come As You Are campaign alongside international actors. She was the brand model for Coca Cola’s Spring Summer campaign, Lotte High-Mart , alcoholic beverage-Good Day Soju, Dong Won Tuna. Her other endorsement credits include Manyo Factory Brand Cosmetics, Acwell, Myskin Solus, Cocolab, Sunkist Fruit Cider, Viyotte, Samsung’s virtual assistant Bixby, GH Basic Housing, Oella, O!geti, Julie’s Choice, Roem, Goobne Chicken, Lotte’s Starlight Cheongha Sparkling Alcohol; Living Workshop Household Goods

Personal Life

Born on 28 August 1996, in Gimje, North Jeolla Province, South Korea, Sejeong moved to Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, South Korea where she stayed at her aunt’s house along with her mother and older brother. Her parents got divorced when she was very young.

Much of her personal life is not available to the public as she keeps her personal life very private. From the gathered information from different sources, she is not married and is single. She is focused on her future endeavours.

Net Worth and Lifestyle

Sejeong’s net worth is estimated to be around 1-5 million US dollars.

A major part of her income comes from her musical career. Her revenue is from multiple endorsements and acting projects. She enjoys a luxurious lifestyle and loves to travel to explore places.

Awards

• Asia Artist Awards 2022
  DCM Popularity Award – Actress (2022)
  Best Actor Award (2022)
• Brand Consumer Loyalty Awards 2021
  Best Female Idol Actress (2021)
• Brand Consumer Loyalty Awards 2022
  Best Female Idol Actress (2022)
• Brand of the Year Awards 2022
  Best Female Acting Idol (2022)
• SBS Drama Awards 2022
  Best Couple (2022)
  Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Romance/Comedy Drama (2022)
• Brand of the Year Awards 2021
  Female Multi-tainer of the Year (2021)
• KBS Drama Awards 2019
  K-Drama Hallyu Star Award (2019)
• Korea First Brand Awards 2019
  Female Idol-Actor Award (2019)
• Brand of the Year Awards 2018
  Female Idol-Actor Award (2018)
• SBS Entertainment Awards 2017
  Best Challenge Award (2017)
• The Seoul Awards 2017
  Popular Actress Award (Drama) (2017)
• KBS Drama Awards 2017
  Best Actress Award (2017)

Interesting Facts about Sejeong

1. Sejeong is a former member of I.O.I, and Gugudan.
2. Sejeong loves to imitate cartoon expressions.
3. Sejeong is the fastest Korean soloist to win a live music show, with the song ‘Flower Road’.
4. In December 2020 Sejeong released a self-composed OST for the K-drama, ‘The Uncanny Counter’, called ‘Meet Again’.
5. On 15 July 2018, Sejeong appeared as a cast member of the sci-fi variety show ‘Galileo: Awakened Universe’.

FAQs

1. When is Sejeong’s Birthday?
   Sejeong celebrates her birthday on 28 August.
2. How old is Sejeong?
   As of 2023, Sejeong is 23 years old.
3. Is Sejeong dating anyone?
   Sejeong is single and is focused on her career.
4. What is Sejeong’s Instagram ID?
   ‘@clean_0828‘ Kim Se-jeong her Instagram ID.