Jeon Seok-ho (Korean: 전석호; born May 2, 1984) is a South Korean actor. He gained international recognition for his roles as the incompetent magistrate Cho Beom-pal in the series Kingdom and as Choi Woo-seok in Squid Game (2024–25).
His role in the series Hyena (2020) earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards. He is also known for his performances in television series such as Misaeng: Incomplete Life (2014), The Good Wife (2016), and Strong Woman Do Bong-soon (2017). In addition to his screen work, Jeon is an active theater performer.
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Early life and education
Jeon was born on May 2, 1984. Influenced by his father, a dedicated cinephile, and a family friend who worked at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, Jeon was exposed to cinema and stage performance from a young age. He has noted that despite the family's modest financial circumstances, his parents encouraged him to pursue his interests freely.
In 1999, while attending an acting academy, Jeon responded to a newspaper advertisement for a minor role, which led him to the set of the 2000 film Just Do It. This role marked his screen debut. Around this time, inspired by films such as The Shawshank Redemption and American History X, he became interested in film direction. Although he soon left the academy due to financial difficulties, the experience introduced him to actress No Eun-ju and connected him with the theater community, where he discovered a passion for the craft.
In 2001, he appeared on television in the EBS drama School Story. He enrolled in the Department of Theater and Film at Hanyang University in 2003. Reflecting on his time there, he stated, "I fell in love with theater after meeting good professors and seniors," and subsequently decided to pursue acting as a career.
Career
Early career in Travel series
In February 2010, Jeon and fellow Hanyang University alumni Park Dong-wook and director Park Seon-hee embarked on a one-month trip to India. Upon their return, they began collaborating on a theatrical project that would eventually be titled India Blog. The production premiered in June 2011 at the Yeonwoo Theater in the Daehakro district of Seoul and achieved significant commercial success.
Following the positive reception of this collaboration, the team reunited for the play Turkish Blues. This production depicts the story of two friends, a high school student and an older mentor, who reflect on their shared memories of music and their unrealized dreams of traveling to Turkey.
The creative partnership continued with a third production in 2013 titled Bulryeongseon. This play, co-directed by Park Seon-hee and Kim Byeong-ju, examines the historical life of independence activist Kim Sang-ok through the lens of a young man living in the modern era.
Film debut
In 2014, Jeon transitioned to feature films with his role in Director Noh Young-seok's film Intruders. Director Noh explained his decision to cast Jeon by noting that he specifically sought a less recognizable actor to prevent the audience from pre-judging the character based on a famous persona. He credited Jeon's naturalistic performance in the play India Blog as the primary reason for his selection. The film follows a pretentious traveler named Sang-jin, played by Jeon, who finds himself caught in a murder mystery while staying at a remote pension. The film was subsequently selected for screening at the Busan International Film Festival.
Return to television and theater
At the age of 31, Jeon gained broader recognition through the tvN series Misaeng: Incomplete Life. Based on the webtoon by Yoon Tae-ho, the drama aired in late 2014. He portrayed Ha Sung-joon, a department head known for his difficult treatment of subordinates. His performance was noted by critics for significantly increasing the emotional stakes and narrative immersion for viewers.
In the fall of the same year, Jeon joined the 63rd regular performance of the Yeonwoo Theater Company, Inside Himalaya. The production was staged at the Yeonwoo Small Theater in Hyehwa-dong, Jongno-gu, from August 14 to September 14. The play revolves around the stories of five men who share their experiences while traveling together in the Himalayas. This production marks the third work in the travel play series presented by director Park Seon-hee and the acting team, following India Blog and Turkish Blues. The cast included Kim Da-hin, Park Dong-wook, Jeon Seok-ho, Lim Seung-beom, and Kim Hyun-sik.
In 2015, Jeon auditioned for Oh Man-seok's revival of Sam Shepard's True West. Jeon was triple-cast as Lee alongside Kim Jun-won, and Lee Dae-il, alternating performances opposite Kim Seon-ho, Lee Hyun-wook and Moon Sung-il, who shared the role of Lee's brother, Austin. The production ranked first in Interpark sales as soon as bookings opened.
Breakthrough and international recognition
Jeon gained significant international attention for his role as Cho Beom-pal in the Netflix original series Kingdom, written by Kim Eun-hee. As the magistrate of Dongnae and the nephew of the powerful Cho Hak-ju, his character becomes an ally to the crown prince, played by Ju Ji-hoon. Jeon's portrayal as Cho was widely recognized for his character growth and the comedic levity he brought to the series throughout its two seasons.
In 2020, Jeon reunited with his Kingdom costar Ju Ji-hoon in the legal drama Hyena, portraying the character Ga Gi-hyuk. His performance earned him a nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 56th Baeksang Arts Awards. He collaborated with Ju again in 2021 for the drama Jirisan, playing Kim Woong-soon, a local police officer.
In 2024 and 2005, Jeon appeared in the second and third season of Squid Game as Choi Woo-seok. He received praise from critics for his performance, particularly for his skillful comedic timing.
Personal life
Jeon married in May 2016 after dating for ten years. He and his wife had a daughter, Jeon Chae-yi, on March 8, 2018; her name pays homage to Che Guevara.
