Actress Chae Seo-an, who drew attention through her role in the Netflix series “When Life Gives You Tangerines”, has surprised fans with her unexpected post-filming life working part-time in factories to support herself.
Rising Star with a Humble Path
Born in 1996 and a graduate of Korea’s Kookmin University with a major in Performing Arts, Chae Seo-an made her acting debut in 2021 in the drama Police University and steadily built her career through various roles in Hellbound, Moonshine, Pale Moon, Hierarchy, and films such as Carter and Moon Kyung.
In 2025, she gained significant attention for portraying the young version of Mrs. Hak’s wife Yeong-ran in When Life Gives You Tangerines, earning public acclaim for her grounded and emotional performance.
A Hardworking Life Behind the Scenes
Despite her rising profile, Chae Seo-an revealed that after filming ended in 2023 and her contract with her previous agency expired, she took on multiple part-time jobs to sustain herself.
Starting at a rice cake factory through a friend’s introduction, she later moved to a cookie factory due to the physical strain. She shared, “The manufacturing area was so oily that it affected my skin.”
Chae Seo-an also worked in electronic factories, research labs affiliated with conglomerates, and in the assembly of card readers, door locks, PVC parts, and electronic outlets. Until recently, she was part of a CCTV quality control team.
Recognition from IU and New Career Momentum
One of Chae Seo-an’s most notable moments came when IU, her co-star in When Life Gives You Tangerines, personally praised her talent. IU remarked, “During the script reading, Chae Seo-an handled a variety of roles with so much skill and fun that I was impressed and wanted to know more about her.”
After seeing Chae Seo-an visibly nervous during their first scenes together, IU reached out to her with a comforting message. Reflecting on their work, IU later added, “She expresses herself better when relaxed—I believe she’ll receive a lot more love moving forward.”
A New Chapter Begins
Chae Seo-an has recently signed an exclusive contract with Blitzway Entertainment, home to star actor Ju Ji-hoon, further cementing her growing presence in the industry.
She has since appeared in the music video for Jannabi’s latest song “In the Name of Love!”, participated in fashion and brand campaigns, and is expanding her reach through various media.
Now 28 years old, Chae Seo-an confidently expressed her goals for the future: “I want to become a household name, someone recognized regardless of genre.”
From factory work to Netflix stardom, Chae Seo-an’s journey exemplifies grit, humility, and unshaken passion. With renewed momentum and support from industry veterans, she is poised to become one of the most compelling rising actresses of her generation.
