Seo Sang-won

Seo Sang-won (Korean: 서상원; Hanja: 徐祥源, November 11, 1967) is a South Korean actor. He has appeared in supporting roles in various films and television dramas, but is better known for his work as a stage actor. His most known works in television series are Record of Youth (2020) and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021).

In 1986, Seo enrolled in the Department of Tourism Management at Catholic Kwandong University. While studying, he actively participated in the theater club called 'Gil Donga People.' Seo's passion for acting was ignited during his travels in Europe, where he witnessed street musicians living with pride and receiving positive treatment. This experience led him to reflect on his own values and view of art, hoping to live a fulfilling life. Initially seeking a corporate job for financial reason, he realized the insignificance of wasting time and decided to pursue a career as a theater actor in 1992.

In 1992, he briefly worked in the service sales department of Hyundai Motor Company before joining the Theatre Company Michu. He spent five years at the Theatre Company Michu, gaining experience in translation, creative writing, and performing in various theater productions. Seo took part in many important plays of the company such as "General Oh’s Claw" by Park Jo-yeol and "Namsadang Sky," as well as MBC Madangnori.

After leaving Theatre Company Michu in 1995, he pursued a freelance career in the theater industry. In 1997, he served as a lecturer in the Department of Acting at Sungkyunkwan University Social Education Center. Director Lee Gwang-mo discovered him through a video of his play, and this unexpected opportunity led to his debut in the film industry with the movie 'Beautiful Days.' Seo believes that his existence as an actor is a result of establishing his own values, pursuing his long-standing dream, and maintaining a positive outlook on his given circumstances while utilizing them to his advantage.

In 2001, Seo became member of National Theater Company of Korea. In the same year he took part in stage play Shakespeare's Hamlet, one of the most loved repertoires in the world of performing arts. His roles were nobleman, Norwegian soldier, and Guildenstern.

After six years, he finally got lead role as Hamlet in Terrorist Hamlet (2007), a collaboration between National Theater Company of Korea and German director Jens-Daniel Herzog. He was former Artistic Director of the Mannheim National Theater and considered to be the next-generation director of German contemporary theater. Adaptation of the script were written by Kim Min-hye and Johannes Kirsten. It was premiered as NTCK Regular Performance The 209th World Masterpiece Stage.

In the play, Hamlet appears as an unfamiliar figure in jeans and a pistol in hand, and Claudius who ascended the throne after killing the previous king, is portrayed as a democratic figure representing the new era. For his performance as Hamlet, Seo received the best actor award from 2008 Korean Drama Awards and a 2008 Commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

A year later, the National Theater Company of Korea and German director Jens-Daniel Herzog collaborated again in Terrorist Hamlet (2008) for NTCK Regular Performance The 210th World Masterpiece Stage.

Two years later, Seo was rewarded 2010 Commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, but didn’t attend the ceremony.

In 2011, Seo acted alongside Kim Young-pil, Kim Joo-wan, and Jeon Mi-do in the play "The Author" by British playwright Tim Crouch. Director Kim Dong-hyeon, known for his skill in creating nuanced stage language, reinterpreted this powerful theatrical work and brought it to the stage. "The Author" serves as the inaugural production in the 'Borderline' series, curated by Doosan Art Center. The play breaks down the barriers between art and reality, blurring the lines between the stage and the audience. It explores the story within a story, delving into the impact that a violent and shocking play has on the actors, writers, and audience members involved.

His first television appearance was minor role as Pastor in drama Prison Playbook (2017). After that he took mostly minor and supporting roles because his focus still in his theater works. In 2019 he appear in movie Lucky Chan-sil as cameo.

Film

Television

Theater

Theater performances started from 2001

Award

State honors