Rowoon


Kim Seok-woo, 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 and The King's Affection, 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 , competing against Neoz Band. "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.
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".
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

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 Companies|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, Samjin Pharmaceuticals, and Oligio Thailand appointed him in 2024.

Discography

Soundtrack appearances

Filmography

Film

Television series

Web series

Television shows

Hosting

Awards and nominations

Award ceremonyYearCategoryNominee / WorkResult
APAN Music Awards2020Entertainer of the Year – MaleRowoonNomitated
APAN Star Awards2022Excellence Award, Actor in a MiniseriesThe King's AffectionNomitated
APAN Star Awards2022Popularity Star Award, ActorThe King's AffectionNomitated
APAN Star Awards2023Best CoupleRowoon with Jo Bo-ah
Destined With You		Nomitated
APAN Star Awards2023Global StarRowoonNomitated
APAN Star Awards2023Popularity Award RowoonNomitated
Brand Customer Loyalty Awards2021Best Male Acting IdolRowoonNomitated
Brand Customer Loyalty Awards2022Best Male Acting IdolRowoonWon
Brand Customer Loyalty Awards2024Male Actor RowoonNomitated
Brand of the Year Awards2020Male Actor Idol of the YearRowoonWon
Brand of the Year Awards2021Male Actor Idol of the YearRowoonNomitated
Dong-A.com's Pick2024Popularity AwardRowoonWon
Grimae Awards2019Best New ActorExtraordinary YouWon
KBS Drama Awards2021Best Couple AwardRowoon with Park Eun-bin
The King's Affection		Won
KBS Drama Awards2021Best New ActorThe King's AffectionWon
KBS Drama Awards2021Popularity Award, ActorThe King's AffectionWon
KBS Drama Awards2023Best Couple AwardRowoon with Cho Yi-hyun
The Matchmakers		Won
KBS Drama Awards2023Popularity Award The MatchmakersWon
KBS Drama Awards2023Top Excellence Award The MatchmakersWon
Korea First Brand Awards2019Male Idol-Actor AwardRowoonWon
Korea First Brand Awards2024Male Actor RowoonWon
Marie Claire Asia Star Awards2025Rising Star AwardThe Murky StreamWon
MBC Drama Awards2019 [MBC Drama Awards|2019]Best New ActorExtraordinary YouWon
MBC Drama AwardsMBC Drama Awards|2019]Best One-minute Couple AwardRowoon with Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jae-wook
Extraordinary You		Nomitated
MBC Drama Awards2022Excellence Award, Actor in a MiniseriesTomorrowNomitated
SBS Drama AwardsSBS Drama Awards|2018]Best New ActorWhere Stars LandNomitated
Soompi Awards2018Best Idol Actor AwardWhere Stars LandNomitated

Listicles