Former Wanna One singer Ong Seongwu is a man of many talents in the Korean entertainment industry
- His first solo album came out last year, he won Best New Actor award as one of the stars of K-drama At Eighteen, and makes his big-screen debut this year
- Multitalented Ong Seongwu confessed in a recent interview that sometimes he can’t believe his luck and it’s ‘amazing and gratitude-inspiring’ fans like him
Learn more about Ong’s life so far.
His early life
Ong, now 24, was born in the South Korean city of Incheon in August, 1995. Growing up, he was interested in dance, learned to play the drums, and attended Seoul’s Hanlim Multi Art School alongside other future idols.
Ong joined a K-pop company in middle school, but his career floundered as the agency was unable to support his goals. Since the terms of his contract meant he was unable to leave the company, the future star supported himself with various part-time jobs – most notably as a model – took acting lessons and joined a breakdancing team.
Eventually, he made his way to South Korean entertainment company Fantagio.
In 2017, less than a year into his training, Ong took part in the second season of popular reality television singing show Produce 101 .
Ong gained attention for his impressive dance skills, his striking looks (he was compared to actor Kim Moo-yeol), and an extroverted personality. He earned consistently high marks – and votes from viewers – throughout the programme.
His solo career
After Wanna One was disbanded in January, 2018, Ong made more television appearances on top-rated shows and began hosting as the weekly MC for the K-pop programme Music Core.
He landed a starring role in the 2018 Korean coming-of-age drama At Eighteen, and earned a Best New Actor award at the Korea Drama Awards – an awards ceremony for excellence in television in South Korea.
This year, Ong will make his big-screen debut in upcoming musical film Life Is Beautiful.
Despite his many television, hosting and acting gigs, Ong has managed to remain active as a singer. In 2019, he released the single Heart Sign and the ballad Our Story (which is on the official television soundtrack to At Eighteen).
In March this year, he released his debut solo album, “Layers”. The lead single, Gravity, shows off his emotive singing skills, and his promise in songwriting and composing can be seen throughout the album. Last month, Ong collaborated with Baek Z Young on the stirring duet Didn’t Say Anything. It is his biggest chart hit as a stand-alone artist in South Korea to date.
His image
During his time on Produce 101 , Ong’s energy, open attitude and nickname as the “mood maker” of Wanna One made him the go-to person for television appearances.
His image isn’t defined just by his antics, but by his work ethic. Asked why they gave the lead role in At Eighteen to a new actor, the producers said: “[Ong’s] focus and passion for acting is incredible. We had expected him to be at about 50 out of 100, but he gave us a performance that was 100 out of 100.”
In his own words
Despite his early setbacks, Ong has remained motivated for more than a decade.
“It’s been 10 years since I started dreaming about becoming a celebrity,” he shared on Hello Counselor in 2018. “There were times when I worked hard, and there were times when I played, but I think confidence and self-respect are the most important.
“Of course, I was frustrated and embarrassed at times, but I remained hopeful while reminding myself, ‘I’m going to be fine. I’m going to make it big’.”
That hard work has led to blessings that even he sometimes can’t believe.
“It’s amazing and gratitude-inspiring that there are people who like me to this extent, who recognise my various [talents], who are happy when things go well for me,” he told GQ Korea in 2019. “There are times during my life when I suddenly think to myself, ‘Wow, I’m unbelievably grateful. How can my fans be this incredible?’”
