6 Meaningful Life Lessons From Kim Seon Ho’s On-screen Characters
- Anwaya Mane
- 9 hours ago
- 5 min read
Happy Birthday, Kim Seon Ho! The immensely talented Korean actor turns 39 today. With an impressive career that spans films, television, theatre, web dramas, variety shows, and music videos, Kim Seon Ho has truly made his mark in the entertainment industry. After a brief hiatus due to a personal setback, he made a remarkable comeback with Netflix’s global hit When Life Gives You Tangerines, reaffirming his place in fans' hearts worldwide.
To celebrate his birthday, we’re revisiting six of his most memorable K-dramas — and the valuable life lessons we’ve learned from the characters he brought to life.
Park Chung Seop - When Life Gives You Tangerines (2025)
One striking parallel between Park Chung Seob and Kim Seon Ho is their shared ability to make a powerful comeback after a setback. When Park Chung Seob first met Yang Geum Yeong ( IU), she was in a relationship with Park Yeong Bum (Lee Jun Young). Though he quietly carried deep feelings for her, circumstances kept him from acting on them. Years later, fate brought them together once more, and this time, Park Chung Seob didn't hold back. Determined not to lose the love of his life again, he pursued her with unwavering resolve.
Life Lesson: No matter the setback, life often gives you a second chance. When it does, seize it with everything you've got.
Hong Du Sik - Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (2021)
Kim Seon Ho in a still from Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha (Image Credits : tvN)
Hong Du Sik — affectionately known as Chief Hong — is a kind, dependable, and resourceful man beloved by everyone in the seaside village of Gongjin. Always ready to lend a hand, he’s the go-to person for just about anything. Yet behind his warm smile and easygoing demeanor lies a deeply buried trauma that he slowly confronts throughout the series. With the unwavering support and love of Yoon Hye Jin ( Shin Min Ah), he begins to heal. In the end, Hong Du Sik chooses a humble, peaceful life in Gongjin over the fast-paced allure of Seoul, embracing what truly makes him happy.
Life Lesson: It’s perfectly okay to live life on your own terms. When you choose what brings you peace and joy, life has a way of rewarding you with unexpected blessings.
Han Ji Pyeong - Start Up (2020)
Kim Seon Ho shines as the "tough-as-nails but soft-at-heart" venture capitalist Han Ji Pyeong in Start-Up. In the series, he not only mentors Seo Dal Mi (Suzy) and Nam Do San (Nam Joo Hyuk) but also finds himself unexpectedly caught in a complicated love triangle. Though his blunt demeanor can come across as harsh, his intentions are genuine, especially when it comes to Seo Dal Mi and her grandmother, who once took him in as a struggling young boy. Grateful and deeply loyal, Han Ji Pyeong becomes a guiding force for Dal Mi, helping her find the strength to believe in herself and her ambitions. Despite the show's mixed reception, Kim Seon Ho’s portrayal won hearts and catapulted him to a new level of fame.
Life Lesson: No matter what others think or say, you are the main character of your own story. Own your journey, walk your path with confidence, and never be afraid to stand tall.
Cha Woo Sik - Welcome to Waikiki 2 (2019)
Kim Seon Ho proves his versatility not just in emotional and dramatic roles but also in lighthearted, comedic ones, as seen in Welcome to Waikiki 2. He plays Cha Woo Sik, an aspiring musician and high school friend of Joon Ki (Lee Yi Kyung), who lives at the quirky Waikiki guesthouse. Amidst the chaos, Woo Sik finds himself hopelessly in love with his first crush, Han Soo Yeon (Moon Ga Young), and sees her called-off wedding as a second chance to win her heart. His journey is filled with hilarious mishaps, heartfelt moments, and a lot of laughter.
Life Lesson: Laughter truly is the best medicine. No matter how messy life gets, sharing joyful moments with the people around you can bring healing and perspective.
Go Ji Seok - Catch the Ghost (2019)
One of Kim Seon Ho’s most underrated performances comes in the action-thriller Catch the Ghost, where he takes on the role of top cop Go Ji Seok. Starring alongside Moon Geun Young, the two form an unlikely partnership to track down a serial killer known only as "The Ghost," who haunts the subway system. As Yoo Ryeong's (Moon Geun Young) supervisor, Go Ji Seok initially clashes with her impulsive and unconventional methods. However, despite his reservations, he often supports her instincts, leading to personal growth and professional breakthroughs. His quiet determination and moral compass bring depth to the character, as he slowly learns to adapt and embrace new ways of thinking.
Life Lesson: Being open to change won’t always offer a better view, but it will offer a different one - and sometimes, that’s all you need to move forward.
Jung Jae Yoon - 100 Days My Prince (2018)
At this point, it’s safe to say that Kim Seon Ho may have perfected the art of second lead syndrome, so much so, it feels like he invented it. A perfect example is his role as Jung Jae Yoon in 100 Days My Prince. As a brilliant and warm-hearted royal advisor to Crown Prince Lee Yul (Doh Kyung Soo), Jae Yoon struggles with prosopagnosia (facial blindness) while harboring unspoken feelings for Yeon Hong Shim. Despite knowing his love is one-sided, he remains loyal, sincere, and consistently kind - qualities that make it impossible not to root for him, even as the lead couple finds their way to each other.
Life Lesson: Staying true to yourself, working with sincerity, and treating others with kindness may not always win the spotlight, but in the long run, it always leaves a lasting impact.
Kim Seon Ho is all set to make his return to the romantic-comedy genre with Can This Love Be Translated?, where he will play the role of Ju Ho Jin, an ace multilingual interpreter. Starring alongside Resident Playbook's rising star Go Youn Jung, who takes on the role of top actress Cha Mu Hee, this much-anticipated drama is scheduled to premiere on Netflix in the latter half of the year.
Which of these Kim Seon Ho dramas have you watched? Let us know your favorite in the comments below!