Rowoon Profile 2026: Bio, Age, Birthday, Net Worth, Career & Interesting Facts
Kim Seok-woo (Korean: 김석우; born August 7, 1996), known professionally as Rowoon (로운), is a South Korean actor and singer. He is a former member of the boy band SF9, where he served as lead vocalist and visual. Rowoon debuted with SF9 on October 5, 2016, under FNC Entertainment. On September 18, 2023, FNC Entertainment announced that Rowoon would halt group activities with SF9 to focus on his acting career, with the group continuing as an eight-member formation. Rowoon is best known for his leading roles in television series including Extraordinary You (2019), The King’s Affection (2021), Tomorrow (2022), and Destined With You (2023). He enlisted for mandatory military service on October 27, 2025, as an active-duty soldier.
Quick Facts Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kim Seok-woo (김석우) |
| Stage Name | Rowoon (로운) |
| Date of Birth | August 7, 1996 |
| Age | 30 years old (On 2026) |
| Birthplace | Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Profession | Actor, Singer |
| Height | 190.5 cm (6’3″) |
| Weight | 74 kg (162 lbs) |
| Blood Type | B |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Chinese Zodiac | Rat |
| MBTI | INFJ (reported) |
| Former Group | SF9 (2016–2023) |
| Agency | FNC Entertainment |
| @ewsbdi | |
| Net Worth | $15 million (estimated) |
| Military Service | Active-duty soldier (enlisted October 27, 2025) |
Table of Contents
Early Life and Family
Childhood
Rowoon was born on August 7, 1996, in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea. He grew up in Seoul alongside his older sister. His grandfather gave him the name Kim Seok-woo, with “Seok” meaning “tin” and “Woo” meaning “to help”. Rowoon’s grandfather reportedly wanted him to help others and make a positive impact on the world. As a child, Rowoon played soccer and his team finished third place at the National Soccer Competition in Chuncheon. He also won a prize at a plant name memorization contest during elementary school, memorizing over 400 species of plants.
Parents and Family Background
No publicly verified information is available regarding Rowoon’s parents’ names or occupations. He has an older sister born in 1994.
Education
Rowoon attended Seoul Daehyun Elementary School. He then attended Hwamun Middle School, followed by Gyeonggi High School-an all-boys school. He is currently attending Kyung Hee Cyber University, where he is studying in the Department of Arts and Culture.
Age and Birthday
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 7, 1996 |
| Age (2026) | 30 years old |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| Chinese Zodiac | Rat |
Rowoon was born on August 7, 1996. He turned 30 years old in 2026.
Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Height | 190.5 cm (6’3″) |
| Weight | 74 kg (162 lbs) |
| Blood Type | B |
| Zodiac Sign | Leo |
| MBTI | INFJ |
Rowoon stands at 190.5 cm (6’3″), making him one of the tallest idols and actors in the Korean entertainment industry. His height and proportionally small face have contributed to his reputation as a “face genius”. He has been nicknamed “Choco Milk”.
Career Journey
Pre-debut Training (2013–2016)
Rowoon began his training under FNC Entertainment at approximately 18 years of age. He trained for six years before debut. He was the second trainee selected for the group that would become SF9. Rowoon trained alongside Zuho for the full six-year period.
In 2013, Rowoon appeared as a trainee on FNC Entertainment’s reality show Cheongdam-dong 111. In 2015, he became part of the pre-debut team “Neoz School” under FNC Entertainment as a member of the group called Neoz.
In May 2016, Rowoon participated as a member of “Neoz Dance” in FNC Entertainment’s survival show d.o.b (Dance or Band), competing against Neoz Band (later known as Honeyst). Neoz Dance won the competition with 51% of the votes, securing the opportunity to debut.
Debut with SF9 (2016)
Rowoon debuted as a member of SF9 on October 5, 2016, with the group’s debut single “Fanfare”. Within SF9, he served as the lead vocalist and visual. The group was managed by FNC Entertainment and consisted of nine members: Youngbin, Inseong, Jaeyoon, Dawon, Rowoon, Zuho, Taeyang, Hwiyoung, and Chani.
Early Acting Career (2016–2018)
Rowoon’s acting career began with a web drama. In 2016, he starred in Click Your Heart as Kim Rowoon. His first major television drama appearance came in 2017 with KBS2’s School 2017, where he played the role of Kang Hyun-il / Issue.
In 2018, Rowoon appeared in several dramas. He made a cameo appearance in tvN’s Modulove (Episode 8). He also appeared in About Time as Choi Wee-jin and in Where Stars Land as Ko Eun-sub. His performance in Where Stars Land earned him a nomination for Best New Actor at the 2018 SBS Drama Awards.
Breakthrough: Extraordinary You (2019)
Rowoon’s breakthrough role came in 2019 when he was cast as the male lead Ha-ru in MBC’s school fantasy drama Extraordinary You. The drama was a commercial and critical success. Rowoon learned swimming, tennis, horseback riding, and fencing to prepare for the role.
For his performance, Rowoon won the Best New Actor award at the 2019 MBC Drama Awards and was nominated for Best Couple alongside co-stars Kim Hye-yoon and Lee Jae-wook. He also won the Best New Actor award at the Grimae Awards and the Male Idol-Actor Award at the 2019 Korea First Brand Awards.
Rising Star (2020–2021)
In 2020, Rowoon voiced the character Branch in the Korean-dubbed version of the animated film Trolls World Tour. He also made cameo appearances in Find Me in Your Memory (Episode 1) and Was It Love? (Episode 6).
In 2021, Rowoon starred as Chae Hyun-seung in JTBC’s romance drama She Would Never Know. Later that year, he took on the lead role of Jung Ji-woon in KBS2’s historical romance drama The King’s Affection. For this performance, he was nominated for the Excellence Award for Actor in a Miniseries at the 8th APAN Star Awards. He also won the Best Couple Award at the 2021 KBS Drama Awards alongside Park Eun-bin.
Continued Success (2022–2023)
In 2022, Rowoon starred in MBC’s fantasy drama Tomorrow as Choi Joon-woong. His performance earned him a nomination for Excellence Award for Actor in a Miniseries at the 2022 MBC Drama Awards.
In 2023, Rowoon appeared in two dramas. He starred in JTBC’s fantasy romance Destined With You alongside Jo Bo-ah. He also appeared in KBS2’s historical comedy The Matchmakers as Jung Woo. For The Matchmakers, he won the Top Excellence Award (Actor).
Departure from SF9 (2023)
On September 18, 2023, FNC Entertainment officially announced that Rowoon would halt group activities with SF9 to focus on his acting career. The other eight members renewed their contracts with the agency. Rowoon shared the news on SF9’s official fan cafe, explaining his decision to pursue acting full-time. He stated that while he left SF9 to focus on acting, his bond with the members remained strong.
Recent Activities (2024–2025)
In 2024, Rowoon continued to build his acting portfolio and brand partnerships. He was named the exclusive model for Samjin Pharmaceuticals’ total healthcare brand “Wisi Healthy” on March 7, 2024. Isoi Japan named Rowoon as their new ambassador on March 1, 2024.
He also ranked first in Forbes Korea’s 2024 “30 Under 30” list in the Entertainment category.
Military Service (2025–2027)
Rowoon enlisted for mandatory military service on October 27, 2025, as an active-duty soldier in the South Korean Army. His original enlistment date was scheduled for July 21, 2025, but he received a Level 7 result during his first physical examination, prompting a re-examination in early August 2025. Following the re-examination, Rowoon was deemed fit for active duty. He is scheduled to be discharged in March 2027 after completing approximately one year and a half of military service.
Even during his military service, Rowoon has maintained a strong public presence. In February 2026, he ranked No. 1 overall across all categories in weekly results released by fan-voting platform Plustar, while also taking first place in the actor category.
Future Career
Rowoon is scheduled to be discharged from military service in March 2027 and is expected to resume his acting career following his service.
Career Timeline
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 2013 | Appeared as trainee on FNC’s Cheongdam-dong 111 |
| 2015 | Joined pre-debut team “Neoz School” |
| May 2016 | Participated in FNC survival show d.o.b |
| October 5, 2016 | Debuted as SF9 member with “Fanfare” |
| 2016 | Web drama debut in Click Your Heart |
| 2017 | First major drama: School 2017 |
| 2018 | Appeared in About Time and Where Stars Land |
| 2019 | Breakthrough role in Extraordinary You; won Best New Actor at MBC Drama Awards |
| 2020 | Voiced Branch in Korean-dubbed Trolls World Tour |
| 2021 | Starred in She Would Never Know and The King’s Affection |
| 2022 | Starred in MBC’s Tomorrow |
| 2023 | Starred in Destined With You and The Matchmakers; announced departure from SF9 |
| 2024 | Named Forbes Korea 30 Under 30; brand ambassador for Isoi Japan and Wisi Healthy |
| October 27, 2025 | Enlisted for mandatory military service |
| February 2026 | Ranked No. 1 on Plustar weekly rankings |
| March 2027 | Scheduled discharge from military service |
Awards and Achievements
Rowoon has received multiple awards throughout his acting and music career. Notable wins include:
| Award Ceremony | Year | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MBC Drama Awards | 2019 | Best New Actor | Extraordinary You | Won |
| Grimae Awards | 2019 | Best New Actor | Extraordinary You | Won |
| Korea First Brand Awards | 2019 | Male Idol-Actor Award | Rowoon | Won |
| Brand of the Year Awards | 2020 | Male Actor Idol of the Year | Rowoon | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2021 | Best Couple Award | The King’s Affection | Won |
| Brand Customer Loyalty Awards | 2022 | Best Male Acting Idol | Rowoon | Won |
| KBS Drama Awards | 2023 | Top Excellence Award (Actor) | The Matchmakers | Won |
| Korea First Brand Awards | 2024 | Male Actor (Rising Star) | Rowoon | Won |
Rowoon was also nominated for:
- Best New Actor at the 2018 SBS Drama Awards for Where Stars Land
- Excellence Award for Actor in a Miniseries at the 8th APAN Star Awards (2022) for The King’s Affection
- Excellence Award for Actor in a Miniseries at the 2022 MBC Drama Awards for Tomorrow
- Best Couple at the 2023 APAN Star Awards for Destined With You
Listicle Recognition
| Publisher | Year | List | Placement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cine21 | 2021 | New Actors that will lead Korean Video Content Industry in 2022 | 5th |
| Forbes Korea | 2024 | 30 Under 30, Entertainment | 1st |
Endorsements and Brand Partnerships
Rowoon has established himself as a sought-after brand ambassador. His endorsements include:
| Brand | Role | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Klavuu | Model | 2020 |
| Gong Cha Korea | Brand Ambassador | 2020 |
| The North Face White Label | Brand Ambassador | 2020 |
| Estée Lauder | Model | 2021 |
| Andz | Brand Ambassador | 2022 |
| Ilso | First Brand Model | 2023 |
| Isoi Japan | Ambassador | 2024 |
| Wisi Healthy | Exclusive Model | 2024 |
Rowoon has also collaborated with Biotherm Homme and Innisfree.
Relationship Status
No publicly verified information is available regarding Rowoon’s current relationship status.
Rowoon has discussed his first love in interviews, mentioning that he had a girlfriend before debut. He attended all-boys middle school and all-boys high school and has stated that he did not have many opportunities to date during his trainee years.
Rowoon has been linked in dating rumors with various co-stars, including Park Eun-bin and Sonia Monroy. None of these relationships have been confirmed. He is not married and has never been married.
Net Worth
On 2026, Rowoon’s net worth is estimated at approximately $15 million. Reports from 2023 estimated his net worth at approximately $15 million USD, with earnings of approximately $100,000 USD per episode for high-rated K-dramas.
Income Sources
| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Acting | Drama salaries (estimated $100,000 per episode) |
| Music | SF9 album sales, concerts, and merchandise |
| Endorsements | Brand ambassadorships with The North Face, Estée Lauder, Andz, Ilso, Isoi Japan, Wisi Healthy |
| Modeling | Commercial and print work |
Rowoon’s net worth grew significantly from 2020 onward as he balanced both idol and acting activities. His transition to full-time acting in 2023, combined with lucrative brand endorsements, has further solidified his financial standing.
Social Media Presence
| Platform | Handle | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| @ewsbdi | Approximately 5.6 million followers (On 2023) | |
| SF9_金路云 | Chinese social media platform |
Rowoon is active on Instagram under the handle @ewsbdi, where he shares updates with his fans.
Lesser Known Facts
- Name Origin: Rowoon’s grandfather gave him the name Kim Seok-woo. “Seok” means “tin” and “Woo” means “to help”.
- Six-Year Trainee: Rowoon trained for six years alongside Zuho before debuting with SF9.
- Plant Expert: He won a prize at a plant name memorization contest in elementary school, memorizing over 400 species of plants.
- Soccer Background: Rowoon played soccer as a child and his team finished third at the National Soccer Competition in Chuncheon.
- Fear of Heights: Rowoon is afraid of heights.
- Best Cook: He is considered the best cook among the SF9 members.
- Neat Freak: Rowoon has been described as a “neat freak”.
- All-Boys Education: He attended all-boys middle school and all-boys high school.
- Favorite Artist: Rowoon is a big fan of F.T. Island, particularly Minhwan.
- Sports Enthusiast: His hobbies include sports, especially skateboarding.
- Friendship: He is friends with Pentagon’s Yeo One and his closest friend in SF9 is Chani.
- Fear of Spicy Food: Despite living in a country known for spicy cuisine, he is reportedly afraid of spicy food.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is Rowoon’s real name?
Rowoon’s real name is Kim Seok-woo (김석우).
2. When is Rowoon’s birthday?
Rowoon was born on August 7, 1996.
3. How old is Rowoon?
On 2026, Rowoon is 30 years old.
4. What is Rowoon’s height?
Rowoon is 190.5 cm (6’3″) tall.
5. What is Rowoon’s net worth?
Rowoon’s net worth is estimated at approximately $15 million in 2026.
6. When did Rowoon debut with SF9?
Rowoon debuted as a member of SF9 on October 5, 2016.
7. Why did Rowoon leave SF9?
Rowoon left SF9 on September 18, 2023, to focus on his acting career while remaining under FNC Entertainment.
8. What are Rowoon’s most famous dramas?
Rowoon is best known for Extraordinary You (2019), The King’s Affection (2021), Tomorrow (2022), and Destined With You (2023).
9. Is Rowoon currently in the military?
Yes, Rowoon enlisted for mandatory military service on October 27, 2025, as an active-duty soldier. He is scheduled to be discharged in March 2027.
10. Is Rowoon dating anyone?
No publicly verified information is available regarding Rowoon’s current relationship status.
11. What is Rowoon’s blood type?
Rowoon’s blood type is B.
12. What is Rowoon’s MBTI?
Rowoon’s MBTI has been reported as INFJ.
13. What brands does Rowoon endorse?
Rowoon has endorsed Klavuu, Gong Cha Korea, The North Face, Estée Lauder, Andz, Ilso, Isoi Japan, and Wisi Healthy.
14. Does Rowoon have any siblings?
Yes, Rowoon has an older sister.
15. Where was Rowoon born?
Rowoon was born in Daechi-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, South Korea.
16. What awards has Rowoon won?
Rowoon has won Best New Actor at the 2019 MBC Drama Awards, Best Couple at the 2021 KBS Drama Awards, Top Excellence Award at the 2023 KBS Drama Awards, and multiple other awards.
17. How long did Rowoon train before debut?
Rowoon trained for six years before debuting with SF9.
18. What was Rowoon’s first drama?
Rowoon’s first acting role was in the web drama Click Your Heart in 2016.
19. Does Rowoon have any pets?
No publicly verified information is available regarding Rowoon’s pets.
20. When will Rowoon be discharged from the military?
Rowoon is scheduled to be discharged from military service in March 2027.
Conclusion
Rowoon has established himself as one of South Korea’s most successful idol-turned-actors. From his debut with SF9 in October 2016 to his breakthrough role in Extraordinary You (2019) and subsequent leading roles in The King’s Affection (2021), Tomorrow (2022), and Destined With You (2023), Rowoon has demonstrated consistent growth as a performer. His decision to leave SF9 in September 2023 to focus on acting marked a significant turning point in his career.
With a net worth estimated at $15 million, numerous brand endorsements including The North Face, Estée Lauder, and Andz, and multiple acting awards, Rowoon has built a sustainable career beyond his idol origins.On October 2025, he is serving his mandatory military service and is scheduled for discharge in March 2027, after which he is expected to resume his acting career. Rowoon’s journey from six-year trainee to leading man reflects his dedication to his craft and his ability to successfully transition between music and acting.
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