Kim Se-jeong

Kim Se-jeong is a South Korean singer and actress. She shot to fame after finishing second on Mnet's Produce 101, becoming a core member of the project girl group I.O.I. Today, she commands a massive solo following with over 12 million Instagram followers and a thriving acting career. Her 2022 drama A Business Proposal became a global Netflix hit, while her solo music, including the EP Door, showcases her powerful vocals and songwriting. Fans know her as the bright, hardworking idol who brings warmth to every role and every stage.[edit]

Kim Se-jeong was born in Gimje, a small city in North Jeolla Province, and grew up in a single-parent household after her parents divorced. Her mother raised her and her older brother in tight financial circumstances, they lived in a tiny rented room before moving in with relatives. Despite the hardship, Se-jeong found comfort in singing and performing at school talent shows.

She attended Hanlim Multi Art School, graduating in 2015, and later enrolled at Sungkyunkwan University's School of Convergence, majoring in Digital Content. Her first step toward stardom came in 2012 when she auditioned for Jellyfish Entertainment and became a trainee. She appeared as a backup dancer for labelmate VIXX in 2015 and landed a minor role in the web drama The Sound of Your Heart in 2016. But the real turning point came when she entered Mnet's Produce 101 in early 2016. Her standout vocals and bubbly personality carried her to second place, earning her a spot in the debut lineup of I.O.I.[edit]

Se-jeong debuted with I.O.I in May 2016 on the mini-album Chrysalis. The group became a rookie sensation, with hits like "Very Very Very" topping charts. Just a month later, she also debuted as a member of Jellyfish's new girl group Gugudan with the EP Act. 1 The Little Mermaid. In 2018, she formed the subunit Gugudan SeMiNa with members Mina and Nayoung.

Her first lead acting role came in 2017 with KBS2's School 2017. That same year, she released her first solo digital single "Flower Road." In March 2020, she dropped her first solo EP Plant, featuring the title track "Whale." Later in 2020, she took on the role of Do Ha-na in OCN's The Uncanny Counter, a supernatural thriller that became a massive hit and earned her critical acclaim. Her global profile exploded in 2022 when she starred in SBS's A Business Proposal, which became a worldwide phenomenon on Netflix. She followed up with her second solo EP Door in September 2023 and led the ENA drama Brewing Love in 2024. In 2025, she released the single "Baby I Love You" and continued acting in The Uncanny Counter spin-off.[edit]

Se-jeong is known for her bright, cheerful, and energetic image, Korean media often describe her as "refreshing" and "sunshine-like." She favors colorful, feminine outfits on stage and in photos. Her solo music leans toward uplifting pop-rock with emotional depth, while her YouTube content is warm and vlog-style, showing behind-the-scenes of her daily life. Her official fandom name is SESANG (세상), meaning "world" in Korean, symbolizing her desire to connect with fans everywhere. Fans celebrate her birthday (August 28) with charity donations and birthday cafes. On social media, she is known for being warm and interactive, frequently replying to comments and posting personal updates.[edit]

Kim Se-jeong commands a dedicated global audience known as SESANG, a name signifying her desire to connect with the world and reflecting the broad reach of her solo career. While her early fame was anchored in the project group I.O.I, her individual trajectory has established a distinct fanbase that follows her transition from idol to a leading actress and singer-songwriter. The community actively engages with her content, ranging from her vlog-style YouTube channel to her dramatic performances, though organized campaigns or specific rituals unique solely to her individual fandom are not widely documented in recent records. Her public image remains defined by resilience and warmth, traits that resonate deeply with supporters who have followed her through significant industry shifts. Regarding her standing in the global consciousness, iFANN's Global Fame Engine evaluated Kim Se-jeong in August 2026 and determined that she currently holds no placement within the published rankings for the Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list. This evaluation reflects a status where, despite her massive following and high-profile projects like A Business Proposal, she does not occupy a numbered slot in the current aggregate hierarchy. The absence of a rank is a neutral data point indicating her position relative to the specific metrics used for the annual compilation rather than a measure of her cultural impact or popularity. Her influence persists through her enduring presence in South Korean media and her international streaming success, yet the formal ranking system places her outside the top tier of measured global figures at this time.[edit]

Kim Se-jeong retains her birth name for her stage identity, operating without a professional alias. She possesses a black belt in Taekwondo and is an accomplished cook who frequently shares homemade meals on her digital platforms. Her household includes a pet cat named Bok, which translates to luck in Korean. As a songwriter, she has penned lyrics for several solo tracks, notably including Whale and Top or Cliff. In 2017, she made a memorable appearance on the variety program Law of the Jungle. Recent lore from the mid-2020s highlights her departure from Jellyfish Entertainment after a decade-long tenure, marking a major shift in her professional life. A notable story from 2026 involves her admission of a daily drinking habit during preparations for an I.O.I reunion, a candid moment that sparked widespread discussion among fans regarding the pressures of the entertainment industry. Additionally, rumors claiming she purchased a penthouse were officially denied by her agency, serving as a modern example of celebrity rumor control. These events add layers to her narrative, blending verified milestones with the evolving folklore of her career.[edit]

Se-jeong was raised by her mother after her parents divorced when she was young. She has an older brother. The family faced financial struggles, living in a small rented room before moving to a relative's home. As of 2026, she lives in a luxury apartment in Seoul's Seongsu-dong district, which she purchased in 2022. She has a pet cat named Bok.[edit]

Se-jeong has collaborated closely with fellow I.O.I members including Kim Chungha and Choi Yoo-jung, as well as Gugudan members Mina and Nayoung. Her acting co-stars include Kim Dong-wook (The Uncanny Counter), Ahn Hyo-seop (A Business Proposal), and Kim Seon-ho (Brewing Love). Producers Galactika and Park Woo-sang have worked on her solo music.[edit]

Kim Se-jeong has not publicly confirmed any romantic relationships. Dating rumors have circulated over the years, but none have been substantiated by credible sources or official statements. In interviews, she has said she is focused on her career and hasn't had time for dating. As of 2026, she is reported to be single.[edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Kim Se-jeong's net worth stands at $6 Million as of 2026. Her financial portfolio is diversified across multiple entertainment sectors. Revenue from music stems from solo album sales, with her 2023 EP Door moving over 100,000 copies, alongside streaming royalties and concert tours. Acting fees for lead roles in productions such as A Business Proposal and Brewing Love are reported to range between $38,000 and $53,000 per episode. Major endorsement partnerships with brands including Narangd Cider, Kolon Sport, Laneige, and Dunkin' Donuts contribute significantly, with each deal estimated at $150,000 to $230,000 annually. Additional income is generated through variety show appearances and advertising revenue from her YouTube channel, Sejeong's Diary, which boasts over 2 million subscribers. In 2022, she acquired a luxury apartment in Seoul's Seongsu-dong district for approximately $1.1 million.[edit]

Kim Se-jeong has won multiple awards for both her music and acting. She earned the Best New Female Artist at the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards, and the Best New Actress at the 2017 KBS Drama Awards for School 2017. Her role in The Uncanny Counter won her Best Actor at the 2021 Asia Artist Awards. For A Business Proposal, she received the Best Character Award at the 2022 SBS Drama Awards. She also won Excellence Award, Actress at the 2024 Korea Drama Awards for Brewing Love.[edit]