"A trusted actor" Yoo Yeon-seok (real name An Yeon-seok) will take the podium at his alma mater Sejong University to help junior actors who dream of becoming actors.
According to Sejong University, Yoo Yeon-seok is scheduled to be appointed a special professor in the Department of Film Arts at Sejong University starting the first semester of the 2026 academic year and will take the podium. This appointment is especially meaningful because Yoo Yeon-seok is returning to his alma mater, where he completed both his undergraduate and graduate studies, to devote himself to training younger students. He has also regularly shown exceptional affection for his juniors by participating in special lectures for new students at his alma mater and homecoming day events.
Yoo Yeon-seok, who debuted in 2003 in director Park Chan-wook's film "Oldboy," is a skilled actor marking his 23rd year since debut this year. After rising to stardom as Chilbong in the drama "Reply 1994," he cemented his status as a top actor by showing a wide spectrum across genres, including "Nangman Doctor Kim Sa-bu," "Mr. Sunshine," "Hospital Playlist," and "Narco-Saints."
Sejong University expects Yoo Yeon-seok's rich on-site experience and solid acting philosophy to provide practical help to students in the Department of Film Arts. In particular, the core of this appointment is that it goes beyond simple theoretical education to directly pass on the sensibilities of an "active" practitioner who is currently most actively working in the industry.
Yoo Yeon-seok will teach at Sejong University under his real name, An Yeon-seok. Special professor An Yeon-seok will directly teach the major course "Multimedia Performance" for fourth-year acting majors in the Department of Film Arts in the first semester of 2026. This course focuses on developing actors' responsiveness required in each media environment, from theater and musicals to film and drama.
A Sejong University official said, "Actor Yoo Yeon-seok is a figure who serves as a role model for juniors not only in acting ability but also in diligence and character," and added, "His appointment will not only raise the department's external stature but also provide strong motivation for students."
Yoo Yeon-seok is a versatile artist whose stage acting skills have been validated through musicals such as "Hedwig" and "A Gentleman's Guide." With this professorship appointment, he expands his role into education and continues his truly "busy" activities.
Students are already welcoming the arrival of "Professor An." A student in the Department of Film Arts said, "It's like a dream that a senior I only saw on screen will personally teach acting," showing unabashed excitement.
Meanwhile, the SBS new Friday-Saturday drama "Shin I-rang law office," in which Yoo Yeon-seok appears, is set to premiere next Friday (the 13th) at 9:50 p.m. In the drama, Yoo Yeon-seok plays the role of Shin I-rang, a lawyer possessed who thrillingly resolves the grudges (han) of the deceased, showcasing a new acting transformation.
[Photo] Provided by Sejong University
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