Lance Joseph Martinez

Who is Yang Se-jong? 10 Things to Know About the ‘Spooky in Love’ Leading Man

Article (news)

<p>As Ghost Month approaches, <strong>Netflix&#x27;s</strong> Top 10 rankings are steadily being taken over by stories filled with ghosts, monsters, and spine-chilling thrills, as viewers embrace the horror genre.</p><p>One of the titles captivating audiences in the Philippines is the South Korean horror-romantic comedy <strong><em>Spooky in Love</em></strong>. Based on the 2011 film <strong><em>Spellbound</em></strong>, the series follows a chaebol heiress cursed with the ability to see ghosts—and anyone she touches gains the same unsettling gift—and a prosecutor whose biggest fear happens to be the supernatural.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784867087881[image] - 3422647.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @bell.ysj</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Joining <strong>Park Eun-bin</strong> in the lead cast is <strong>Yang Se-jong,</strong> who plays <strong>Ma Kang-wook, </strong>a prosecutor at the Seoul District Prosecutors&#x27; Office. After charging a politician&#x27;s son with murder, Kang-wook is reassigned to the cold case unit. While investigating an unidentified body in the woods, he repeatedly crosses paths with Yeo-ri, prompting him to uncover the mysterious secret she has long kept hidden.</p><p>As viewers continue to fall for the series&#x27; unique blend of romance, comedy, and horror, here&#x27;s everything you need to know about Yang Se-jong, the charismatic actor behind Ma Kang-wook in <em>Spooky in Love.</em></p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784867114901[image] - 9993700.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Official poster of &#x27;Spooky in Love&#x27; | Photo from @netflixkr</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>He is 33 years old.<br/></strong></div><p>Born on December 23, 1992, Yang Se-jong is 33 years old and hails from Anyang, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. His hometown is known for the scenic <strong>Anyang Art Park</strong>, as well as its unique blend of urban landscapes, mountains, and rivers.</p><p>While the actor keeps a relatively low profile on social media, fans can still catch occasional updates through his Instagram account, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bell.ysj?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&amp;igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw=="><strong>@bell.ysj.</strong></a></p><div><br/></div><div><strong>He worked part-time while he was a high school student.<br/></strong></div><p>Yang Se-jong has kept much of his family life out of the public eye. However, in a past interview, the actor shared that he worked part-time at a book and DVD rental store during his first two years of high school.</p><p>Given that Se-jong attended high school in the late 2000s, his part-time job coincided with the peak of South Korea&#x27;s DVD rental culture, when rental shops were a popular destination for movie and television enthusiasts before the rise of streaming platforms.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784867147979[image] - 151852.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @bell.ysj</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>He discovered his dream of becoming an actor in high school.<br/></strong></div><p>While working part-time at a book and DVD rental store during his second year of high school, Yang Se-jong also began watching theater productions with his friends, an experience that would ultimately change the course of his life.</p><p>Seeing stage performances sparked his passion for acting and inspired him to pursue it professionally. </p><div><br/></div><div><strong>He studied at one of South Korea&#x27;s most prestigious arts universities.<br/></strong></div><p>While details about his high school graduation have not been publicly disclosed, Yang Se-jong took a major step toward his dream in 2012 when he was admitted to the prestigious <strong>Korea National University of Arts.</strong></p><p>Widely regarded as South Korea&#x27;s premier state-run arts conservatory, <strong>K-Arts</strong> is known for nurturing some of the country&#x27;s finest actors, directors, and filmmakers. The university houses separate schools for Drama and for Film, TV &amp; Multimedia, providing specialized training across the performing and media arts.</p><p>Over the years, the university has produced many of South Korea&#x27;s biggest stars, including <strong>Kim Go-eun</strong>,<strong> Park So-dam</strong>,<strong> Lee Je-hoon</strong>,<strong> </strong>and<strong> Byun Yo-han</strong>.<strong></strong></p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784867484479[image] - 3158790.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @tvn_drama</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>He was a taekwondo athlete.<br/></strong></div><p>Before finding success as an actor, Yang Se-jong excelled in taekwondo. His impressive performances in competitions even caught the attention of the <strong>Samsung Foundation</strong>, which offered him the opportunity to attend a sports university on a full scholarship and continue pursuing the martial art at a higher level.</p><p>Despite the prestigious offer, Yang had already set his sights on a different dream. Determined to build a career in acting, he turned down the scholarship and chose to follow his passion.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>He made his acting debut in 2016.</strong></div><p>Yang Se-jong officially began his acting career with a supporting role in the hit South Korean drama <strong><em>Saimdang, Memoir of Colors. </em></strong>In the series, he portrayed the younger version of <strong>Lee Gyeom</strong>, the character played by <strong>Song Seung-heon</strong>.<strong></strong></p><p>Although it was a relatively small role, Yang made a strong impression on viewers and critics alike. His performance earned him his first major acting nomination, receiving a <strong>Best New Actor </strong>nod at the<strong> 2017 The Seoul Awards</strong>.<strong></strong></p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784867540922[image] - 3708358.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @tvn_drama</span></span></span></strong></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>He found success almost immediately after his debut.<br/></strong></div><p>Following his debut in <em>Saimdang, Memoir of Colors</em>, Yang Se-jong quickly gained recognition after joining the hit medical drama<strong><em> Dr. Romantic</em></strong>. In the series, he starred alongside<strong> Han Suk-kyu, Yoo Yeon-seok, </strong>and<strong> Seo Hyun-jin,</strong> further showcasing his potential as one of South Korea&#x27;s rising actors.</p><p>His breakthrough came the following year when he reunited with <em>Dr. Romantic </em>co-star Seo Hyun-jin for his first leading role in the romance series <strong><em>Temperature of Love. </em></strong>Yang played <strong>On Jung-seon,</strong> a talented chef and owner of the Michelin-starred restaurant Good Soup.</p><p>The role proved to be his breakout performance, earning him multiple acting accolades and solidifying his place as a sought-after leading man.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>He starred in a heartwarming reality show with fellow actors.<br/></strong></div><p>Away from scripted roles, Yang Se-jong appeared on the 2019 variety program <strong><em>Coffee Friends</em></strong> with<strong> Yoo Yeon-seok</strong>,<strong> Son Ho-jun</strong>, <strong></strong>and<strong> Choi Ji-woo</strong>. Filmed on a tangerine orchard in <strong>Seogwipo, Jeju Island</strong>, the show followed the actors as they temporarily transformed into café owners, preparing and serving brunch for guests.</p><p>Unlike a traditional café,<em> Coffee Friends</em> did not charge fixed prices. Visitors were free to contribute whatever amount they felt was appropriate, turning every meal into an opportunity to support a charitable cause.</p><p>The heartwarming project ultimately raised around 10,000 US dollars, with all of the proceeds donated to an organization that supports children with disabilities.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784867563822[image] - 9413676.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @bell.ysj</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>He made a successful comeback after completing his military service.<br/></strong></div><p>Unlike many actors who take time to regain momentum after completing their mandatory military service, Yang Se-jong made an immediate return to the spotlight with a successful comeback project.</p><p>In 2023, he starred opposite <strong>Bae Suzy</strong> in the Netflix romantic drama <strong><em>Doona!</em></strong>, playing college student Lee Won-jun, whose life takes an unexpected turn after he becomes roommates with Lee Doo-na, a retired K-pop idol adjusting to life away from the spotlight.</p><p>Upon its release, <em>Doona!</em> quickly gained global attention, securing a spot on <strong>Netflix&#x27;s Top 10 TV Shows </strong>and marking a strong post-military comeback for Yang Se-jong.</p><div style="text-align:center"><br/></div><div><strong>He is an award-winning actor.<br/></strong></div><p>Although Yang Se-jong has appeared in only a handful of drama series, he has already established an impressive acting résumé, earning accolades from some of South Korea&#x27;s most prestigious award-giving bodies.</p><p>His breakout role in <em><strong>Temperature of Love</strong></em><strong> </strong>brought him multiple <strong>Best New Actor</strong> honors, including wins at the<strong> 2017 SBS Drama Awards</strong>,<strong></strong> <strong>2018 APAN Star Awards</strong>,<strong></strong> and the <strong></strong><strong>2018 Baeksang Arts Awards</strong>. Yang continued his winning streak with <strong><em>Still 17</em></strong>, taking home the <strong>Excellence Award for Actor in a Monday–Tuesday Drama</strong> at the<strong> 2018 SBS Drama Awards</strong>.<strong> <br/></strong></p><p>These awards further boosted his popularity, with local media dubbing him a <strong>&quot;monster rookie&quot; </strong>for his remarkable rise in the industry. In recognition of his meteoric success, <strong>Forbes Korea</strong> also named him one of its <strong>2017 Korea 2030 Power Leaders</strong>, where he ranked fourth after starring in four television dramas during his first year as an actor.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px;display:block" width="700"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1784867584281[image] - 9195627.jpeg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/><span class="fr-inner">Photo from @bell.ysj</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photos from <strong>@tvn_drama</strong></p>

<p>As "Spooky in Love" continues to win over viewers with its mix of romance, comedy, and horror, get to know Yang Se-jong, the charismatic actor who brings Ma Kang-wook to life.</p>

As "Spooky in Love" continues to win over viewers with its mix of romance, comedy, and horror, get to know Yang Se-jong, the charismatic actor who brings Ma Kang-wook to life.