Singer and actor · South Korea
Cho Seung Woo
조승우
Cho Seung-woo is a South Korean actor known for the film Marathon (2005), which won him Best Actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards, acclaimed musical theater roles, and playing prosecutor Hwang Si-mok in the drama Stranger (2017-2020).
Biography
Cho Seung-woo, born on March 28, 1980, in Seoul, South Korea, is one of the most accomplished actors of his generation. His father, Cho Kyung-soo, is a singer, and his older sister, Cho Seo-yeon, works in musical theatre; growing up in that household, Cho gravitated toward the performing arts. He studied at Dankook University, majoring in Film and Theatre, which laid the foundation for his career in the entertainment industry.
Cho's breakthrough came in 2000 when he debuted in the film Chunhyang, directed by Im Kwon-taek. The movie gained international acclaim, premiering at the Cannes Film Festival, and showcased Cho's immense talent. He starred in the film Marathon (2005), where he portrayed an autistic marathon runner. His heartfelt and nuanced performance earned him multiple awards, including the Best Actor Award at the Baeksang Arts Awards, making him a household name in South Korea.
In addition to his illustrious film career, Cho Seung-woo has made significant contributions to musical theatre. His roles in productions such as Jekyll & Hyde, Man of La Mancha, and Hedwig and the Angry Inch are considered legendary. His ability to move between acting and singing has earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fanbase. Despite his success in musicals, Cho didn't stray far from television. His role as prosecutor Hwang Shi-mok in the hit K-drama Stranger (2017–2020) received widespread praise.
Over the years, Cho Seung-woo has won numerous accolades for his work, including Best Actor awards and nominations at prestigious ceremonies. Known for his dedication and humility, he remains focused on his craft rather than the spotlight. With a career spanning over two decades, Cho has become a symbol of excellence in South Korea's entertainment industry.
Profile data
- Stage name
- Cho Seung Woo
- Native name
- 조승우
- Gender
- Male
- Date of birth
- 28 March 1980
- Age
- 46
- Birthplace
- Seoul, South Korea
- Zodiac
- Aries
- Chinese zodiac
- Monkey
- Portrait source
- TMDB API
- Rights holder
- TMDB / respective copyright holder
- Usage basis
- Editorial use via TMDB API, non-commercial reference
- Metadata source
- TMDB, Wikipedia, and other sources cited in the record
- Last updated
- 29 September 2026
- Editor
- Claude (AI content review)
About Cho Seung Woo
Hobbies
- Playing Piano 🎹: Cho Seung-woo enjoys playing the piano, a skill he honed during his musical theatre career. He finds it a relaxing and creative outlet.
- Watching Movies 🎥: As a film enthusiast, he often spends time exploring various genres and gaining inspiration for his own acting roles.
- Reading Books 📚: Known for his love of literature, Cho often reads novels and scripts to deepen his understanding of storytelling.
- Hiking and Nature Walks 🏞️: He enjoys spending time outdoors to clear his mind and stay physically active.
- Singing 🎤: Beyond acting, singing is both a professional and personal passion, which he frequently showcases in musical theatre productions.
Interests
- Musical Theatre 🎭: Cho Seung-woo has a profound interest in musicals and has performed in iconic productions like Jekyll & Hyde and Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
- Psychology 🧠: He’s intrigued by human behavior, which helps him portray complex characters with depth.
- Classic Films 🎞️: Cho admires classic cinema, particularly works by directors like Akira Kurosawa and Alfred Hitchcock.
- Travel ✈️: Exploring new places and cultures is something he deeply values, though he prefers to keep his travels private.
- Cooking 🍳: While not widely known, Cho has expressed an interest in experimenting with cooking as a form of relaxation.
Facts
- Award-Winning Actor 🏆: He has won multiple prestigious awards, including the Best Actor award for his role in Marathon.
- Family of Artists 👨👩👧👦: His father is a singer, and his sister is a musical theatre actress, which influenced his career.
- Private Lifestyle 🤫: Cho is notoriously private, rarely sharing personal details or appearing on variety shows.
- Dual Career in Acting and Theatre 🎬🎭: He balances a career in film, TV dramas, and musical theatre.
- Charity Work 🤝: He has quietly contributed to various charities, showing his philanthropic side.
Funny moments
- Accidentally Fell Asleep on Stage 😴: During a long rehearsal, Cho reportedly dozed off for a moment, much to his co-stars' amusement.
- Misheard Lyrics During a Musical 🎶: Once, he sang the wrong lyrics in a live performance, but he recovered with a charming smile.
- Fails at Cooking Rice 🍚: Despite his interest in cooking, Cho joked that he still struggles to make perfect rice.
- Awkward Photo Poses 📸: Fans love his often-awkward and adorable poses during press events.
- Scared by His Own Reflection 🪞: He once shared a story about scaring himself in a mirror late at night, which his friends never let him forget.
Fears and dislikes
- Public Speaking 🎤: Despite being a performer, he has admitted to feeling nervous when speaking in front of large crowds outside of acting.
- Disappointing Fans 💔: Cho is deeply committed to his craft and fears letting down the people who support him.
- Flying ✈️: He has mentioned being slightly uneasy during flights, especially long-haul ones.
- Losing Loved Ones 🕊️: As a family-oriented person, Cho has expressed a fear of losing the people closest to him.
- Failure in His Craft 🎭: A perfectionist by nature, Cho fears not living up to his own high standards in acting and performance.
Cho Seung Woo shows and movies
Main roles 2 titles
Frequently worked with
Counted from shared credits across the database, most shared titles first.
