Kim Seon-ho turns 38: Rise, scandal to dazzling comeback – how the star stayed deeply loved even in absence

South Korean star Kim Seon-ho’s journey reads like a Netflix documentary: a meteoric rise, a sudden fall, and a comeback so powerful it stunned his fandom. Long before his dimpled smile charmed audiences in Start-Up and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, his story had already begun years earlier.

Turning trauma into talent

Seon-ho has often described himself as an introvert, fuelled by a rather haunting childhood. In a robbery, his mother was injured, and he had to watch while hiding under the bed.

The aftermath left him with intense anxiety. In school, he struggled with basic classroom situations like reading aloud or taking tests, especially if someone was standing behind him. “If someone was behind me during a test or reading time, I’d go blank. I’d freeze. I just couldn’t breathe," he said in a 2020 episode of tvN’s You Quiz on the Block

Eventually, it was acting that helped him begin to heal. A high school acting teacher recognised his potential and encouraged him to explore theater as an emotional outlet. Through acting, Seon-ho said he learned how to process his trauma, communicate with others, and gain self-confidence:

“I didn’t know how to form relationships or communicate effectively. But through acting, I learned how to be around people.”

That decision changed everything.

Before screens, he was into acting on stage. Seon-ho debuted in theater in 2009. He was the theater idol who garnered much attention with roles in True West, Kiss of the Spider Woman, and Closer—the latter of which got him noticed by drama producers.

Rise and rise

Then came 2017. He stepped into the world of television with Good Manager. It took a while for him to be noticed, and he struck gold with Strongest Deliveryman and Two Cops, which were roles that he originally auditioned as a sidekick for, only to be bumped up to lead status.

In 2017, Seon-ho made his television debut with Good Manager. It wasn’t an immediate breakout, but roles in Strongest Deliveryman and Two Cops brought him into the spotlight—especially since he was originally cast as a side character and later elevated to leading man.

Then came 2020—and Start-Up. As Han Ji-pyeong, the blunt but secretly tender entrepreneur who never quite got the girl, Kim triggered a nationwide wave of second-lead syndrome. While his character may have lost the romance, Seon-ho himself soared up the brand reputation charts. His next role in Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha sealed his  status as a star, as he transformed into Hong Du-sik—the village handyman with a big heart and a mysterious past.

Controversy and return

However, while he was at the height of his fame with Hometown Cha Cha Cha in 2021, a woman who identified herself as the former girlfriend of "Actor K"—later confirmed to beSeon-ho—posted on a Korean internet forum, accusing the actor of emotional abuse in their relationship. The allegations quickly went viral, shaking the public and media alike. Just three days later, on October 20, he  responded with a public apology issued through his agency, acknowledging the controversy but offering limited details.

The backlash was swift. Major advertisers began pulling their campaigns featuring Seon-ho including global names such as a prominent American pizza chain and a well-known Japanese camera brand, as reported by Korea's Daily. Seon-ho also stepped away from his regular spot on the hit KBS variety show 2 Days & 1 Night, and later withdrew from two upcoming films, Dog Days and Pretty Crazy.

That same day, however, the narrative began to shift. Seon-ho's ex-girlfriend released a new statement, revealing that he had apologised to her privately. She admitted that there had been misunderstandings between them and expressed regret over the unintended fallout.

On October 26, Dispatch, the South Korean media outlet published a counter-report based on testimonies from mutual acquaintances. It proved that Seon-ho had been supportive throughout, and that their breakup the following year was linked to murky circumstances involving the ex-girlfriend.

Following the revelations, his fortunes began to recover. Seven companies that had previously halted promotions reinstated their advertisements featuring him. In addition, the production team of the film The Childe confirmed Seon-ho would remain in the lead role, signaling a tentative return to the spotlight.

Keeping away from the mainstream and return

However, he stayed away from the mainstream Korean dramas for several years, while still keeping with stagecraft. He returned to theatre with Ice, selling out every single seat, and even co-writing and singing a single called Reason as a love letter to fans. Just when you thought he’d settle into romantic lead territory, Seon-ho  flipped the script with his 2023 film debut in The Childe, a dark noir thriller where he traded charm for chaos.

And in 2025, he made a cameo in When Life Gives You Tangerines, with IU, which scaled the charts. The actor won much love and praise for his performance, with fans eagerly waiting for his next romantic drama, which is slated to release this year.