Kim Se-yong
Kim Se-yong (Korean: 김세용; born November 20, 1991) is a South Korean singer, rapper, dancer, and actor best known as the main dancer and lead rapper of the boy group MYNAME, with whom he debuted in 2011 under H2 Media.[1] The group, which released its debut single "Message" that year, achieved significant popularity in South Korea and especially in Japan during their eight-year run.[2] Following the expiration of the members' contracts with H2 Media in December 2019—clarified by the agency and members as not constituting an official disbandment—Se-yong has pursued individual activities, including acting and musical theater.[2] His acting credits include portraying the lead character Kwon Juyong/Brave Red Dino in the 2017 South Korean adaptation Power Rangers Dino Force Brave, for which he also sang the opening theme.[1] Se-yong participated in the 2017 idol survival program The Unit and released his first solo mini-album Connection in Japan on May 10, 2019.[1][3] More recently, he has been active in musical theater, taking on the role of the dance-loving character Cheoyoung in the production The Show! Shilla (2023–present), performed in Gyeongju.[4]Early life
Birth and family
Kim Se-yong was born on November 20, 1991, in Busan, South Korea.[5] He has an older sister.[6] As a child, Se-yong aspired to become a professional soccer player, demonstrating considerable talent in the sport during his school years and regularly playing as a student.[7] He initially showed no interest in pursuing a career in singing or acting, focusing instead on athletics. However, this changed when JYP Entertainment officials scouted him after his sister posted photos of him online on an ulzzang website during his middle school years, an opportunity his parents encouraged him to explore despite his reluctance to abandon soccer.[8]Education and training
Kim Se-yong began his formal training in the entertainment industry after being scouted by JYP Entertainment through online photos posted by his sister during his middle school years, leading to a three-year trainee period starting in 2007.[6] During this time, he honed his skills in singing, dancing, and performance under the agency's rigorous program, which prepared him for a potential debut as an idol.[8] Motivated initially by an interest in acting, Se-yong left JYP after three years to pursue opportunities in that field, enrolling at Seoul Institute of the Arts where he earned a bachelor's degree in acting.[9] His time at the institute provided structured education in theater and film, emphasizing performance techniques and character development essential for his multifaceted career.[8] While studying, Se-yong attempted early acting roles, securing a minor part in the KBS2 series I Believe in Love in 2011, still as a trainee before his official music debut.[8] These experiences marked his initial foray into on-screen work, building his resume amid ongoing auditions and self-reflection. His resolve to return to music was reignited after attending a 2PM concert, where their stage presence inspired him to rekindle his passion for performing as a singer.[8] This pivotal moment shifted his focus back to idol training, ultimately leading him away from JYP toward new opportunities in the industry.Career
Debut with MYNAME (2011–2015)
Kim Se-yong entered the music industry as a member of the South Korean boy group MYNAME, which was formed under H2 Media by singer Hwanhee of the duo Fly to the Sky. The quintet, comprising leader and main vocalist Gunwoo, lead vocalist and dancer Insoo, main dancer and lead rapper Seyong, main rapper Jun.Q, and maknae and lead dancer Chaejin, officially debuted on October 28, 2011, with their digital single "Message." Produced by Hwanhee, the track featured an upbeat pop sound with hip-hop elements, marking the group's introduction to the K-pop scene through promotional stages on programs like Music Core.[10][11][12] Within MYNAME, Kim Se-yong contributed as the main dancer, lead rapper, and sub-vocalist, showcasing his versatile skills in choreography, rap verses, and backing vocals across the group's performances. Early promotions in South Korea emphasized music show appearances and fan events to build a domestic fanbase, though the group faced challenges in gaining widespread recognition amid a competitive market. Prior to this debut, Kim had gained foundational experience through minor acting roles in the 2009 drama Green Coach and the 2011 film Believe in Love.[13][6][9] MYNAME expanded internationally by releasing a Japanese version of "Message" on July 25, 2012, under Yoshimoto Kogyo's YM3D label, which debuted at No. 9 on the Oricon Weekly Singles Chart and topped sales at Tokyo's Tower Records Shibuya store. This marked their official entry into the Japanese market, where they built a stronger following through subsequent releases. Key Korean outputs during the period included their first physical single album Myname 1st Single (June 2012) led by "What's Up," the debut mini-album Myname 1st Mini Album (July 2013) featuring the hit "Baby I'm Sorry," the third single album (October 2013) with "My Love Song," the second mini-album Myname 2nd Mini Album (February 2015) promoting "Too Good," and the fourth single album (May 2015) with "Just Tell Me." These releases highlighted the group's evolution in pop and dance tracks, though chart performance remained modest in Korea.[14][15][16] By 2015, following the release of their second mini-album and fourth single, MYNAME's promotional activities in South Korea began to wane, with the group increasingly directing efforts toward Japan, where they issued multiple singles, albums like We Are Myname (2013), and built a dedicated audience through tours and media appearances.[17][18]Variety appearances and acting (2016–2020)
In 2016, following MYNAME's increased focus on Japanese promotions after 2015, Kim Se-yong expanded his individual career by participating in the Mnet dance competition program Hit the Stage, where he competed in episodes 7 and 8 as part of a "crazy" themed challenge alongside performers like Block B's U-Kwon and B2ST's Hyunseung.[19][20] His dynamic dance routines showcased his skills honed as MYNAME's main dancer, earning positive attention from viewers and judges for his energetic performances. Kim made a significant acting breakthrough in 2017 with the lead role of Kwon Juyong, also known as Brave Red Dino, in the South Korean-Japanese superhero series Power Rangers Dino Force Brave, a sequel to Zyuden Sentai Kyoryuger.[21] In the 12-episode series, he portrayed a bright and heroic leader fighting alien threats with his team, drawing on his idol background to infuse the character with charisma and physicality. Additionally, Kim performed the opening theme song "Dinoforce Brave (Red)," contributing to the show's soundtrack and highlighting his vocal talents.[22] That same year, Kim appeared as a contestant on KBS2's survival show The Unit: Idol Rebooting Project (2017–2018), aiming to revitalize his career through team formations and performances. His participation garnered mixed reactions due to controversial "devil's editing" by producers, which portrayed him negatively and led to online backlash, though he later addressed the misrepresentation in interviews, emphasizing his positive experiences and growth on the program.[23] Transitioning further into acting, Kim took on minor roles in the Japanese drama Kboys (2018), appearing as a customer in episode 4, and in the South Korean series Backstreet Rookie (2020), where he played a waiter named Jun in episodes 3 and 4 at a chicken shop.[24][25] These cameo appearances allowed him to build screen presence amid his ongoing music activities. He also ventured into theater, starring in the 2018 production About Thirty, followed by The Picnic for 30 Days in 2019, and taking the role of Hwang Tae-kyeong in the musical Oh, Mr. Park! that same year.[9] On May 10, 2019, Kim released his first solo mini-album Connection in Japan under Magnifucent Music, featuring the title track "Connection" co-written during a production camp.[26] The release marked his independent musical debut outside MYNAME, blending pop and R&B elements to reflect personal themes of linkage and emotion.Military service (2021–2022)
Kim Se-yong enlisted for his mandatory military service as a social service worker on March 22, 2021, for a duration of 1 year and 9 months.[6] In a personal letter shared on the official MYNAME fan cafe, he announced the news, thanking fans for their ongoing support and concern while assuring them of his commitment to fulfilling his duties responsibly.[27] His service required a complete hiatus from entertainment activities, during which he had no major music releases, acting roles, or public appearances, allowing him to focus solely on his obligations.[9] This period marked a pause following his 2019 solo mini-album Connection, his last significant project before enlistment. Se-yong was discharged on December 21, 2022, completing his service without reported incidents.[6] The enlistments of fellow MYNAME members, including Chaejin's active-duty service starting in July 2020, contributed to the group's extended inactivity during this time.[6]Post-military activities (2023–present)
Following his discharge from military service on December 21, 2022, Kim Se-yong resumed professional activities, focusing on group performances, acting, and theater. In 2023, Kim joined the cast of the musical The Show! Silla, a production inspired by Silla Dynasty culture, where he performed as part of the ensemble through multiple seasons.[28] The show ran in venues including Gyeongju, with Kim expressing gratitude to fellow cast members and staff for their support during the 2023–2025 run in an Instagram post marking the end of the 2025 season.[29] He continued with the production into late 2025, participating in curtain calls as documented in fan-shared footage from September 2025 performances.[30] Kim expanded his acting portfolio in 2024 with the lead role of Seo Min U in the short-form drama Wicked Just for You, a 80-episode series released on the TopReels app.[31] The series, which premiered in November 2024, featured Kim in a central narrative exploring themes of mischief and romance, earning attention for his portrayal across the full run.[32] In 2025, members Gunwoo, Insoo, and Seyong of MYNAME released the group's mini-album VIVID on July 2, their first release in seven years.[33] Gunwoo, Insoo, and Seyong revived group engagements starting in 2024, including fan meetings to reconnect with supporters. This momentum built toward major 2025 events, such as the group's birthday celebration for Kim on November 22—a live event titled The Gift: From Me to You—followed by a dedicated fan meeting on November 23.[34] The group announced the MYNAME Christmas Dinner Show 2025 for December 25 at The Ritz-Carlton Tokyo's Grand Ballroom, combining a multi-course meal with performances.[35] Tickets went on sale via mobile pre-sale in October 2025, with additional perks like message cards and commemorative items.[36] Culminating the year, Gunwoo, Insoo, and Seyong of MYNAME scheduled the Party Time!Discography
Solo mini-albums
Kim Se-yong released his debut and only solo mini-album to date, Connection, on May 10, 2019, in Japan under Irving, marking his first individual project independent of MYNAME.[38] The album explores themes of personal connection, gratitude toward fans (referred to as MYgirl), and bonds with group members, structured narratively like a film to convey emotional stories of love, support, and hope amid challenges.[38] The mini-album consists of six tracks, with Se-yong contributing to lyrics, choreography, and song selection, while production involved Korean teams alongside collaborators such as SEVENTEEN's Woozi for one track and Koun for lyrics and composition on another.[38] The lead single, "Connection," serves as an upbeat pop track emphasizing reconnection and fan support, accompanied by a music video released on May 7, 2019.[39] Other notable tracks include "Treasure" featuring MYNAME members and a cover of "Sonagi (Evening Shower)," highlighting reflective and nostalgic elements.[38]| No. | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Connection | Lead single |
| 2 | Warning | Original track |
| 3 | Treasure (feat. MYNAME) | Collaboration with group members |
| 4 | Masquerade | Original track |
| 5 | Sonagi | Cover arrangement by Woozi |
| 6 | Mata Aeru Kara (また会えるから) | Lyrics and composition by Koun; theme of reunion |