Oh Jung Se
Info
🙂 Native Name: 오정세
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Male
🎂 Born: February 26, 1977
🏠 Birth Place: Uiryeong County, South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Pisces
📏 Height: 174 cm (5 ft 9 in)
💍 Spouse: Ahn Hee Seon (married in 2006)
👶 Children: Two children, including a daughter named Oh Si Yeon
Oh Jung Se met his wife, Ahn Hee Seon, during their 6th-grade year in elementary school. They began dating in their youth and maintained a relationship for 19 years before marrying in 2006.
Biography
Oh Jung Se is a renowned South Korean actor known for his exceptional range, nuanced performances, and ability to embody both comedic and deeply emotional roles. Born on February 26, 1977, in Uiryeong County, South Gyeongsang Province, he pursued theater and film studies at Sun Moon University. Despite facing a slow start to his career, he steadily built a name for himself in the industry through supporting roles that consistently left a strong impression.
He began gaining attention in the late 2000s and early 2010s with scene-stealing appearances in films such as Man’s Manual (2012) and How to Use Guys with Secret Tips (2013). However, it was his role in tvN’s hit drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020) that catapulted him into mainstream popularity. Playing Moon Sang Tae, an autistic artist and older brother to Kim Soo Hyun’s character, Oh delivered a performance that was widely praised for its sensitivity, authenticity, and emotional depth.
In 2020, Oh Jung Se won the Best Supporting Actor award at the Baeksang Arts Awards for his performance in When the Camellia Blooms (2019), another acclaimed drama where he played the quirky yet heartfelt character Noh Gyu Tae. That same year, he was also awarded by the Korea Broadcasting Awards, making him one of the most celebrated actors of the year. His ability to shift seamlessly between drama and comedy was further showcased in Stove League and Missing: The Other Side.
Beyond his professional achievements, Oh Jung Se is admired for his humility and devotion to family. He married his childhood sweetheart Ahn Hee Seon in 2006, after dating for 19 years, and they have two children, including a daughter named Oh Si Yeon. Known for his deep empathy, Oh also received praise for his respectful and heartfelt interactions with fans, particularly individuals with autism, following his role in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. He continues to be a respected and beloved figure in Korean entertainment.
Hobbies
Cycling – Oh Jung Se enjoys riding his bicycle as a way to clear his mind and stay physically active.
Drawing – Inspired by his role in It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, he developed an appreciation for sketching and character-based illustrations.
Watching Classic Films – He loves rewatching old Korean and foreign classics to study acting techniques and storytelling.
Spending Time with Family – One of his favorite off-screen activities is simply being at home with his wife and children.
Reading Novels and Scripts – Oh often reads literary works to find emotional depth and better understand complex roles.
Interests
Psychology and Human Behavior – He is fascinated by what makes people tick, which helps him portray emotionally complex characters.
Art and Animation – Especially after playing Moon Sang Tae, an autistic artist, he became deeply interested in expressive and therapeutic art forms.
Social Awareness Projects – Oh supports causes related to disability awareness, inclusion, and mental health education.
Theater and Stage Acting – Although now a screen actor, he maintains a strong interest in returning to his theater roots.
Voice Acting – He has expressed a desire to try voice acting in animations or audiobooks due to his emotional voice control.
Facts
He dated his wife for 19 years before marrying her in 2006, showing a unique and enduring real-life love story.
He is left-handed, which sometimes surprises fans when they notice it in his performances.
He has highly expressive facial control, which makes him ideal for roles that require detailed emotional nuance.
Despite his dramatic roles, he originally wanted to do comedy, and many of his early auditions were for humorous characters.
Oh Jung Se once said he thought he was “not very good-looking,” but his charisma and talent made him beloved in Korea.
Secrets
He was nearly cast in a leading role much earlier, but turned it down out of fear he wasn’t ready.
Oh has admitted that he used to struggle with self-doubt and anxiety, especially in his 20s.
He occasionally rehearses scenes while walking alone, even on the streets—sometimes catching surprised glances.
He kept his marriage private for many years to protect his family from media pressure.
He sometimes writes character backstories privately, even if they’re never revealed in the actual script.
Funny Things
He once fell asleep between takes and had to be woken up by another actor moments before filming a crying scene.
Oh says he often forgets lines not out of nervousness, but because he gets too emotionally immersed.
During an interview, he joked that he wished he could “act handsome” if that were a genre.
On the set of Stove League, he accidentally wore mismatched shoes and didn’t realize until a scene was done.
He once tried to learn TikTok dances from his daughter but gave up halfway, calling it “a workout for aliens.”
Fears
He has a fear of not being understood, especially when playing characters with disabilities or mental health issues.
Oh is afraid of being typecast and losing the chance to explore new genres or roles.
He has a mild fear of flying, which he overcomes for international shoots but still dislikes.
He dreads hurting fans or misrepresenting sensitive roles, taking his impact on viewers seriously.
He fears losing emotional authenticity, which he considers the heart of meaningful acting.
News
1. Oh Jung Se Wins Best Supporting Actor at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards (2021)
In 2021, Oh Jung Se was honored with the Best Supporting Actor award at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards for his compelling portrayal of Moon Sang-tae, an autistic illustrator, in the acclaimed drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay. His heartfelt acceptance speech resonated with many, and co-star Kim Soo Hyun was visibly moved during the ceremony.
2. Involvement in a Tragic Car Accident (October 2023)
On October 18, 2023, Oh Jung Se was involved in a fatal car accident in Geumsan County, South Chungcheong Province. The van he was traveling in collided with a tractor, resulting in the death of a man in his 60s and serious injuries to his wife. Oh and his manager sustained minor injuries. His agency issued a public apology and expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
3. Starring Role in Netflix’s Mr. Plankton (2024)
In 2024, Oh Jung Se took on the lead role in Netflix’s series Mr. Plankton, portraying Oh Heung. In interviews, he shared that the character’s journey deeply resonated with him, emphasizing themes of personal growth and emotional depth.
4. Best Supporting Actor at the 59th Grand Bell Awards (2023)
Oh Jung Se received the Best Supporting Actor award at the 59th Grand Bell Awards in 2023 for his performance in the film Cobweb. This accolade added to his growing list of recognitions in the Korean film industry.
5. Upcoming Drama: Everyone is Fighting Against Their Own Worthlessness (2025)
As of April 2025, Oh Jung Se is confirmed to star alongside Kang Mal Geum in the upcoming drama Everyone is Fighting Against Their Own Worthlessness. The series explores the complexities of self-worth, with Oh and Kang portraying a married couple navigating personal and relational challenges.
TV Drama
Movies
Music / OST
While Oh Jung Se is best known for his acclaimed work as a film and television actor, he does not have a professional music career in the traditional sense. He is not a singer, recording artist, or part of any K-pop or musical group. However, his connection to music has become emotionally meaningful and publicly celebrated due to a very specific, heartfelt performance that touched millions of fans.
One of the most notable moments linking Oh Jung Se to music was his memorable piano scene in the drama It’s Okay to Not Be Okay (2020). In this role, he portrayed Moon Sang Tae, an autistic artist. During one emotional episode, Sang Tae plays the piano in a heartfelt tribute to his late mother. Though Oh Jung Se did not play the piano himself during filming, his on-screen performance was so emotionally genuine that many viewers assumed he had formal musical training.
Another touching musical connection came in 2020, when a visually impaired fan expressed her wish to meet him. During the meeting, she played the piano for him, and Oh Jung Se’s warm, respectful reaction went viral in Korea. It wasn’t a performance by him—but the moment reflected his deep emotional sensitivity to music and connection to others through it. This led to public praise for his empathy and grace.
In short, Oh Jung Se does not pursue music professionally, nor does he have a discography or albums. However, through the powerful emotional delivery of musically themed scenes, and his genuine engagement with music-related moments in life and art, he has carved a meaningful space in the hearts of fans. His music-related legacy lies not in melody or lyrics, but in the deep feelings he evokes through performance.
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