12 Things About Seo Yea-Ji, The "It's Okay To Not Be Okay" Lead Actress

The gorgeous Korean actress is fluent in Spanish, and that's just one of the many things we're loving about her now!

PEOPLE
Celebrities

Grace Libero-Cruz

June 24, 2020, 02:35 PM

Our new favorite K-Drama, It's Okay to Not be Okay (IOTNBO), only has two episodes so far, and yet we can definitely say, we're already hooked!

What initially drew us in was Kim Soo-hyun (who plays the role of caregiver Moon Gang-tae in IOTNBO) since this is his small screen comeback after he was discharged from the military on July 2019. This healing drama's plot is really intriguing, too, as it delves deep into the characters' emotional wounds.

But just a few minutes into the first episode, we're instantly obsessed with its gorgeous female lead star Seo Yea-ji and her character, children's book author Ko Mun-yeong— fashion and beauty looks and all! Her acting is so on point, and even her low and sexy voice suits her role!

In a press conference for their series, Seo Yea-ji says, "Our drama narrates difficulties endured by people and one of my favorite narrations is 'Overcome it. If you don't overcome it, then you're nothing but a young child whose soul can't grow.' I hope that viewers can feel hope and courage to overcome everything through watching our drama."

Check out the gallery below to know more about this Korean actress:

Photo by Chun Youngsang for Netflix

SWIPE LEFT OR RIGHT
TO NAVIGATE BETWEEN PAGES

1. She's 30 years old.

She was born on April 6, 1990 in Seoul, South Korea. In Korean age, that's plus one, as all Koreans are considered one year old at birth. Her zodiac sign is Aries. People under this sign are typically described as courageous, confident, and passionate.

Photo Credit: Chun Youngsang for Netflix

2. She studied Journalism in Spain.

Articles about her previously stated that she dreamt of becoming an announcer, but in an interview, she later clarified that that wasn't really the case. She says, "Why are people clinging to my past? There's talk that I left abroad for Spain when I was younger because I wanted to study to be an announcer and graduated there. I did study abroad in Spain because I liked it, but I didn't graduate college. I never dreamed of becoming an announcer. I've never said that either." In light of the recent controversy about her and her ex-boyfriend Kim Jung-hyun and people questioning her educational background, her agency, Gold Medalist, also released a statement, saying, "Seo Ye-ji had prepared for admission to Madrid-based Madrid Complutense University in Madrid, Spain, but since then, she has not been able to attend college normally as she began her career in Korea."

Photo Credit: Chun Youngsang for Netflix

3. She debuted in the entertainment scene in 2013.

In the same year, she also appeared in a telecom advertisement. Her first projects that year were the short film "Love" and the tvN sitcom "Potato Star 2013QR3." Back then, she was managed by Made in Chan Entertainment.

Photo Credit: Chun Youngsang for Netflix

4. She is now managed by Gold Medalist.

She's now under the same management as her "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" co-star Kim Soo-hyun. She signed up with Gold Medalist early this year. She was also previously represented by King Entertainment.

Photo Credit: @goldmedalist_official

5. She has a promising filmography.

Though she may have only been an actress for less than a decade, her talent in acting was proven several times, as she was cast in K-Dramas like "Diary of a Night Watchman," "Last," "Moorim School: Saga of the Brave," "Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth," "Save Me," and "Lawless Lawyer."

Photo Credit: Netflix

6. She has a very sexy, deep voice.

Complementing her acting skills is her voice, which early fans of "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" were quick to point out. They say it's perfect for her dark, mysterious character in the ongoing series. Her current onscreen partner, Kim Soo-hyun agrees, saying in an interview that her voice is "so good that the series would have done well as an audio drama too."

Photo Credit: Netflix

7. But she used to consider her voice as a weakness.

The actress felt her voice was "too low and not feminine enough." She used to be so concerned about it and how it affects her acting. But over the years, she has come to accept and love it, and now considers it as an edge.

Photo Credit: Netflix

8. She's fluent in Spanish.

Seo Yea-ji studied in Spain for college, and her experience there made her fluent in the language. In an episode of sitcom "Potato Star 2013QR3," she showcased this skill, and we're absolutely impressed!

Photo Credit: Netflix

9. She's not on social media.

Sadly, Seo Yea-ji no longer has an Instagram account. When she was still active on social media, she loved posting BTS snaps from her shoots as well as photos of her dog.

Photo Credit: Netflix

10. She's a comfort-over-style kind of girl.

It's very obvious that her latest character is very stylish, but she wants viewers to see Go Moon-young more as someone who is expressive rather than fashionable. As for her personal style, she shared, "My fashion choice would be something that's casual, something that you can lounge around in in the house and then just step out casually. For me, comfort comes first."

Photo Credit: Netflix

11. She thinks she has a "witch-like aura."

And that's what helps her effectively portray her character Go Moon-young! In a virtual press con organized by Netflix, she said, "The character that I play, Go Moon-young, if you really go in-depth and look at her, I have to channel this image of a witch to express her, the character, in the most adequate way. I would say that my low voice and what I can call a witch-like aura if you will, I think that really helps me channel my inner Go Moon-young."

Photo Credit: @goldmedalist_official

12. Her favorite fairytale growing up was the "Golden Ax and Silver Ax."

Her character on "It's Okay to Not Be Okay" is a children's book author. And when asked what she loved reading back when she was a child, she said, "I'd say that the traditional Korean moral story for children, the title is 'Golden Ax and Silver Ax.' I think this story really resonates with Go Moon-young's story as well in the sense that the moral of this story is when adults get too greedy, that can make them lose everything they had in the first place. And I think that's something that my character Go Moon-young also goes through, things that happen to her because of her own greed. By playing this character, I'm constantly reminded of that children's story."

Photo Credit: @goldmedalist_official