Kim Seok-woo (Korean: 김석우; born August 7, 1996), better known by his stage name Rowoon, is a South Korean actor and singer. He is a former member of the South Korean boy band SF9. He is best known for his acting roles in television series Extraordinary You (2019) and The King's Affection (2021), where he won several awards for his performance in the series.

Career

2013–2014: Pre-debut

Rowoon was introduced as a trainee in FNC Entertainment's reality show Cheongdam-dong 111.

2015–2016: Debut with SF9

In 2015, Rowoon was a part of pre-debut team, "Neoz School", under FNC Entertainment as a member of the group called Neoz. In May 2016, he participated as a member of "Neoz Dance" in FNC Entertainment's survival show d.o.b (Dance or Band), competing against Neoz Band (later known as Honeyst). "Neoz Dance" won the competition with 51% of the votes and received the opportunity to debut. He debuted with group SF9 in October 2016 with the single "Fanfare".

2017–2022: Solo activities and rising popularity

Rowoon began his acting career in television series with a minor supporting role in KBS2's School 2017. Following this appearance, he gradually received more significant roles. In March 2018, he was cast as the female lead's brother in tvN's About Time. By July 2018, he secured another role in SBS's Where Stars Land, for which he was nominated for the New Actor award.

Rowoon at the press conference of Extraordinary You in 2019

On May 9, 2019, Rowoon was confirmed to be the male lead for the first time in MBC's school fantasy drama, Extraordinary You based on the hit Daum webtoon July Found by Chance. After receiving the role of Haru, Rowoon's popularity skyrocketed, launching him into stardom. He was nominated at the MBC Drama Awards with fellow costars, Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jae-wook, for Best Couple, and was awarded with Best New Actor. Around the same time, Rowoon was featured in NC.A's music video, "Awesome Breeze" (밤바람).

In April 2020, it was revealed that he would be the voice of Branch in the Korean dub of the animated movie Trolls World Tour. In the following month, FNC Entertainment confirmed that Rowoon would star in JTBC drama She Would Never Know, based on the webtoon of the same name. The drama began airing in January 2021.

Rowoon took on the male lead role in the 2021 historical drama The King's Affection. The drama's success led to him winning the Best New Actor award at the KBS Drama Awards. In late 2021, Rowoon became an MC for the 2021 KBS Song Festival along with Astro's Cha Eun-woo and Kim Seol-hyun.

In 2022, Rowoon starred in the MBC fantasy drama Tomorrow where he portrayed the role of Choi Joon-woong.

2023–present: Departure from SF9 and acting work

Rowoon in January 2024

In 2023, Rowoon starred in fantasy drama Destined with you which aired on JTBC from August 23 to October 12. During the drama's run, FNC announced that Rowoon would be leaving SF9 to focus on his acting career while remaining with the agency.

Later in 2023, Rowoon was confirmed to star in the historical drama The Matchmakers, which aired on KBS2. His performance in the series earned him the Popularity Award and Top Excellence Award at the 2023 KBS Drama Awards.

On July 3, 2024, it was reported that Rowoon will star in another upcoming historical drama, Takryu.

On March 2, 2025, Rowoon was invited to the 97th Academy Awards at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, Los Angeles.

Endorsements

In 2020, Rowoon became a brand ambassador for the cosmetics brand Klavuu, Gong Cha Korea, and the 2020 Fall/Winter collection by The North Face's White Label. Endorsements with Estée Lauder, SimplyO hair products, Clean Up Beauty, and the clothing brand ANDZ followed in 2021 and 2022. Derma-skincare brand Ilso selected him as their advertising model in 2023, while Isoi Japan,[non-primary source needed] Samjin Pharmaceuticals (for their total healthcare brand Wisi Healthy), and Oligio Thailand appointed him in 2024.

Discography

Soundtrack appearances

TitleYearAlbumRef.
"No Goodbye In Love" (안녕)2021The King's Affection OST Part 7

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2020Trolls World TourBranchVoice-over for the Korean-dubbed version
2025The Last Man: The Movie – First LoveClyde YoonJapanese film

Television series

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2017School 2017Kang Hyun-il / Issue
2018About TimeChoi Wee-jin
Where Stars LandKo Eun-sub
2019Extraordinary YouHa-ru
2021She Would Never KnowChae Hyun-seung
The King's AffectionJung Ji-woon
2022TomorrowChoi Joon-woong
2023Destined With YouJang Shin-yu
The MatchmakersShim Jung-woo
2025The Murky StreamJang Si YulMain actor

Web series

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2016Click Your HeartHimself
2023A Time Called YouTae-haCameo (Episode 8)
2025The Murky StreamJang Si-yoolDisney+

Television shows

YearTitleRoleNotesRef.
2013–2014Cheongdam-dong 111Trainee
2016d.o.b: Dance or Band
Lipstick PrinceCast MemberSeason 1
2017Season 2
2018Law of the Junglein Patagonia (Episodes 305–310)
King of Mask SingerContestantas Owl (Episode 163)
Cafe AmorCast Memberwith Yoo In-na, Lee Juck, Yang Se-hyung
2021Kingdom: Legendary WarContestantwith SF9
2022The Idol Band: Boy's BattleHostwith Nako Yabuki
House on WheelsCast MemberSeason 4

Hosting

YearTitleNotesRef.
2021KBS Song Festivalwith Kim Seol-hyun and Cha Eun-woo
2022Music Bank World Tour: Chile
20232023 Music Bank Global Festival Japanwith Go Min-si, and Lee Young-ji
2023 Music Bank Global Festival Koreawith IVE's Jang Won-young
2023 KBS Drama Awardswith Jang Sung-kyu and Seol In-ah
20242024 KCON Los AngelesJuly 26 only

Accolades

Awards and nominations

Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremonyYearCategoryNominee / WorkResultRef.
APAN Music Awards2020Entertainer of the Year – MaleRowoonNominated
APAN Star Awards2022Excellence Award, Actor in a MiniseriesThe King's AffectionNominated
Popularity Star Award, ActorNominated
2023Best CoupleRowoon with Jo Bo-ah Destined With YouNominated
Global StarRowoonNominated
Popularity Award (Actor)Nominated
Brand Customer Loyalty Awards2021Best Male Acting IdolNominated
2022Won
2024Male Actor (Hot Trend)Nominated
Brand of the Year Awards2020Male Actor Idol of the YearWon
2021Male Actor Idol of the YearNominated
Dong-A.com's Pick2024Popularity AwardWon
Grimae Awards2019Best New ActorExtraordinary YouWon
KBS Drama Awards2021Best Couple AwardRowoon with Park Eun-bin The King's AffectionWon
Best New ActorThe King's AffectionWon
Popularity Award, ActorWon
2023Best Couple AwardRowoon with Cho Yi-hyun The MatchmakersWon
Popularity Award (Actor)The MatchmakersWon
Top Excellence Award (Actor)Won
Korea First Brand Awards2019Male Idol-Actor AwardRowoonWon
2024Male Actor (Rising Star)Won
Marie Claire Asia Star Awards2025Rising Star AwardThe Murky StreamWon
MBC Drama Awards2019Best New ActorExtraordinary YouWon
Best One-minute Couple AwardRowoon with Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jae-wook Extraordinary YouNominated
2022Excellence Award, Actor in a MiniseriesTomorrowNominated
SBS Drama Awards2018Best New ActorWhere Stars LandNominated
Soompi Awards2018Best Idol Actor AwardNominated[unreliable source?]

Listicles

Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
PublisherYearListiclePlacementRef.
Cine212021New Actors that will lead Korean Video Content Industry in 20225th
Forbes202430 Under 30 – Entertainment (Korea)1st
Celebrity – Career High (Korea)1st
Celebrity with Both Talent & Personality (Korea)1st
2025Who is the celebrity who was born a professional entertainer?1st

Notes

External links