Cover From his breakout role as a quiet high school transfer student to playing a sharp police detective and a dark corporate antagonist, Ong Seong-wu has put together one of the most versatile filmographies of his generation (Photo: osw_onge/Instagram)
From his breakout role as a quiet high school transfer student to playing a sharp police detective and a dark corporate antagonist, Ong Seong-wu has put together one of the most versatile filmographies of his generation (Photo: osw_onge/Instagram)
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Explore the ultimate guide to Ong Seong-wu K-dramas, tracing his screen roles from youth dramas to thriller villains
From idol stages to K-drama leading roles, Ong Seong-wu has made a convincing transition into acting. Since his screen debut in 2019, he has taken on everything from relatable coming-of-age characters and swoony romance leads to complicated corporate figures and darker antagonists. For fans looking to catch up on Ong Seong-wu K-dramas, his filmography offers a fun mix of youth stories, romantic comedies, slice-of-life dramas and supernatural mysteries. Whether you’re discovering his acting for the first time or simply deciding which drama to watch next, this guide rounds up his major television roles, including where to stream them, what each story is about and who stars alongside him.
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Who is Ong Seong-wu?
Before becoming a familiar face in K-dramas, Ong Seong-wu first won over fans as a K-pop idol. Born in Incheon in 1995, he rose to fame after competing on Mnet’s Produce 101 Season 2, where he finished fifth and earned a spot in the project group Wanna One. After Wanna One’s activities came to an end, Ong began building a career as both an actor and solo artist.
He made his acting debut in 2019 with JTBC’s Moment at Eighteen, playing quiet and introspective high school student Choi Joon-woo. The role proved to be a strong start, earning him Best New Actor and Hallyu Star at the Korea Drama Awards, as well as a Rookie Actor award at the Asia Artist Awards that same year.
Since then, he has continued to balance music and acting, gradually moving beyond his idol image with roles in romance, youth dramas and more mature stories. For K-drama fans, his filmography offers a chance to see how he has evolved from a rookie actor into a more versatile screen performer.
‘Moment At Eighteen’ (2019)
Above Ong Seong-wu made a unforgettable lead debut as Choi Joon-woo, bringing quiet depth to this moving high school coming-of-age story
This high school coming-of-age series centers on Choi Joon-woo, played by Ong Seong-wu in his first official lead acting role. Joon-woo is a quiet, lonely transfer student forced to adapt to a new school environment while carrying the weight of false accusations from his past. The narrative follows his gradual emotional opening as he forms connections with Yoo Soo-bin and Ma Hwi-young, navigating academic pressures, family tensions, and adolescent identity. The core cast features Ong Seong-wu, Kim Hyang-gi, and Shin Seung-ho. Viewers can stream the series on Netflix, Viki, and Viu.
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‘Strong Girl Nam-soon’ (2023)
Above Swapping school halls for street smarts, Ong Seong-wu stars as a sharp police detective tackling crime alongside a superhuman family
This comedic action spinoff series features Ong Seong-wu as Kang Hee-sik, an energetic and upright police detective working in the Gangnam District. Hee-sik leads an investigation into a syndicate trafficking synthetic drugs, bringing him into contact with Kang Nam-soon, a young woman who possesses supernatural physical strength inherited through her maternal family line. Alongside Nam-soon, her mother, and her grandmother, Hee-sik utilizes police tactics and unconventional help to dismantle criminal networks. The primary cast includes Ong Seong-wu, Lee Yoo-mi, Kim Jung-eun, Kim Hae-sook, and Byeon Woo-seok. The show is available to stream globally on Netflix.
‘Spooky in Love’ (2026)
Above Showcasing a darker acting range, Ong Seong-wu delivers a captivating performance in his very first antagonist role as an ambitious corporate executive
This supernatural romance drama adaptation marks a shift in narrative direction, presenting Ong Seong-wu in his first antagonist role. He plays Kang Min-hwan, an ambitious hotel executive whose refined exterior conceals calculated corporate ambitions and personal envy. The central plot revolves around Cheon Yeo-ri, a hotel heiress capable of seeing spirits, and Ma Gang-wook, a prosecutor who fears the paranormal while attempting to uncover unsolved crimes. Min-hwan functions as the main driving force behind the central power struggles and personal conflicts. The series stars Ong Seong-wu, Park Eun-bin, and Yang Se-jong. The drama is available for streaming on Netflix.
‘More Than Friends’ (2020)
Above A decade of missed timings and unspoken feelings defines this romantic drama following two close friends navigating chaotic love lives
This romantic drama details a decade-long relationship marked by unaligned timing and unresolved feelings. Ong Seong-wu plays Lee Soo, a talented photographer who maintains a close friendship with calligrapher Kyung Woo-yeon. Over ten years, misunderstandings and ill-timed confessions prevent the pair from transitioning from friends into romantic partners, leading to shifting dynamics as third parties enter their lives. The primary cast features Ong Seong-wu, Shin Ye-eun, and Kim Dong-jun. The series is currently streaming on Viki and iQIYI.
‘Would You Like a Cup of Coffee?’ (2021)
Above A warm, comforting slice-of-life series following a rookie barista learning life lessons one cup at a time under a seasoned mento
This quiet, slice-of-life drama adapts a popular webtoon, following Kang Go-eun, played by Ong Seong-wu. Go-eun is a passionate rookie barista who joins 2D Coffee, a neighborhood café managed by a seasoned coffee master named Park Seok. Through daily café operations, coffee preparation, and interactions with regular patrons, Go-eun develops professional skills and gains insight into human nature, grief, and personal connections. The cast is led by Ong Seong-wu and Park Ho-san. The short-form series can be streamed on Kakao TV and Viki.
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Chonx Tibajia is a senior editor at Tatler Asia’s T-Labs team, where she writes widely on lifestyle subjects including beauty, style, entertainment and travel. She has a long career in journalism, including roles as a columnist at The Philippine Star, and is the founder of the creative platform Pineappleversed. Beyond Tatler, her bylines appear in regional lifestyle and business publications, showcasing a broad portfolio that spans beauty trends, travel guides and culture pieces.
