Surprising List of Korean Celebrities Who Attended Seoul University

Seoul National University, ranked 1st in Korea and 26th in the world, is one of the hardest schools to get into, and becoming a student there is desired by thousands and envied by millions in Korea.

Here is a list of 13 Korean celebrities, from actors, singers, and rappers, who attended and/or graduated from Seoul University. Some are already well-known grads, like Kim Tae Hee, but others might be surprising to the larger audience. Flip through the gallery to see which celebs hail from the prestigious university and what majors they had.

Lee Soon Jae (actor)- Bachelor’s in Philosophy

In the picture, this highly respected veteran in the industry poses with AOA‘s Seolhyun. They appeared together in the 2013 daily SBS drama called “Ugly Alert.” He might be more well-known to a newer audience as the oldest member of the variety show “Grandpas Over Flowers” crew.

Jung Jin Young (actor)- Bachelor’s in Korean Language and Literature

One of his most recognizable roles is from the 2005 blockbuster hit “The King and the Clown” as the king.  He is currently in the SBS weekend drama “Angel Eyes” playing Goo Hye Sun‘s father.

Kim Tae Hee (actor)- Bachelor’s degree from the Department of Textiles, Merchandising and Fashion Design

Beauty and brains? Now that’s what we call unfair.

Lee Sang Yoon (actor)-  Bachelor’s in Physics

This “Angel Eyes” actor was admitted to Seoul University in 2000 and graduated after 13 years in 2013 after taking repeated breaks due to his acting career. He previously revealed he received 370 points out of 400 in his college entrance exam.

Honey Lee (Lee Ha Nui) (actor)- Master’s in Traditional Korean Music

This former Miss Korea also has the brains and beauty like her friend Kim Tae Hee. She plays the traditional Korean instrument, the gayageum.

Here she is playing the gayageum to Epik High‘s “Fan.”

Choi Sung Joon (actor)- Bachelor’s from the Department of Physical Education

He was most recently in the dramas “I Hear Your Voice” and “Let’s Eat.” He is currently appearing in the jTBC drama “Wild Chives and Soy Bean Soup: 12 Years Reunion.”

Yoo Hee Yeol (composer/ DJ/ MC of “Yoo Hee Yeol’s Sketchbook“)- Bachelor’s from the Department Composition Studies

Yoo Hee Yeol is a talented composer whom a newer audience might recognize as one of the judges on “K-Pop Star 3.” Listen to one of  Yoo Hee Yeol’s most famous songs from his project band Toy. The song is called “Is It Still Beautiful?” and the featured singer is Kim Yeon Woo.

Lee Juck (singer-songwriter)- Bachelor’s in Sociology

Composer and leader of the acclaimed 90s duo Panic, he was also a member of the project band Carnival with singer Kim Dong Ryul. Here is Carnival’s representative song, “Goose’s Dream,” which Kim Dong Ryul composed and Lee Juck wrote the lyrics to.

Verbal Jint (rapper)- Bachelor’s in Economics

Known for his smooth, deep, and calm voice, this hip-hop artist has also voiced many commercials.

Kim Jung Hoon (actor)- Admitted to the Department of Dentistry

Kim Jung Hoon was once part of the male duo UN before he became an actor. His breakout role was in 2006 with the MBC drama “Princess Hours” which also starred Yoon Eun Hye and Joo Ji Hoon.

Beenzino (rapper)- Admitted to the Department of Sculpture

Check out Beenzino hit track “Dali Van Picasso“!

Suh Kyung Suk (comedian/MC, currently on MBC variety show “Real Men“)- Bachelor’s in French Language and Literature

Jang Ki Ha (singer-songrwiter, leader of Jang Ki Ha and the Faces)- Bachelor’s in Sociology

Check out Jang Ki Ha and the Faces’ “I Heard Some Rumor” from the film “Nameless Gangster” soundtrack.