Celebrity Who Debuted as an Idol Three Times but Faced Continuous Setbacks, Eventually Transitioned to Acting and Found Success

Born in 1989, Lee Seo-an initially aspired to be a flight attendant and graduated from the Korea Aerospace University with a major in Aeronautical Science & Flight Operations. She debuted in 2009 as a member of SeeYa, filling the spot left by Nam Gyu-ri, with the EP album “Rebloom”. She subsequently joined Coed School and F-ve Dolls, accumulating experience as an idol three times over.

After SeeYa, she worked as the leader of the 10-member co-ed group Coed School, but the group faced controversies that led to its disbandment. She then debuted a third time with F-ve Dolls. Despite receiving better part distribution and positive reactions compared to her Coed School days, poor treatment and sudden member changes led to the group’s label as a “recycled group”. After a year, she left the group to pursue solo activities.

Lee Seo-an concluded her idol career with F-ve Dolls in 2012 and transitioned to acting. She expanded her career into the Chinese market, starting with Chinese dramas in 2016, and from 2017, she began her acting career in Korea in earnest. She changed her stage name from “Soomi” to “Lee Seo-an”. She mentioned that she had long considered a name change, and she chose the name Lee Seo-an, which she felt was unique yet not too unusual.

In the drama “Justice”, Lee Seo-an portrayed Jeong Hae-jin, an ambitious rookie actress willing to sell her soul for success, significantly boosting her recognition as an actress. She continued to receive praise for her realistic acting in “Mystic Pop-up Bar”, “Artificial City” and “Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol”. In JTBC’s Wednesday-Thursday drama “Queen of Divorce”, she played Ji-in, a conglomerate daughter-in-law with a chilling gaze of revenge, leaving a strong impression and showcasing her versatile acting skills.

Lee Seo-an also shone in Disney+’s “The Impossible Heir” as Jung Ji-sun, the wife of the eldest son of a conglomerate family. With each role, she continues to gain attention for her standout performances. Lee Seo-an expressed her desire to play genuine and touching roles that resonate with viewers. Her continuous growth and ability to portray a variety of roles have garnered high expectations for her future endeavors.