Rising Star Jeon So-young Shines in Netflix's 'GIRIGO', Captivating Audiences Worldwide

Jeon So-young, a burgeoning actress, is steadily expanding her presence in the entertainment industry by building an impressive filmography. Despite being a rookie in her second year, she has made a significant impact with her strong performance in her first leading role in Netflix's 'GIRIGO'.

Released on the 24th of last month, 'GIRIGO' tells the story of high school students who receive sudden death predictions due to a cursed wish-granting app and their struggle to escape the curse. Jeon So-young plays the role of Se-ah, a determined high school athlete. Currently, 'GIRIGO' ranks 4th in Netflix's global TOP 10 non-English shows, showcasing its success.

For her role in 'GIRIGO', Jeon So-young underwent a transformation, cutting her hair short, undergoing athletic training, and even tanning. Her dedication to the character is evident as she gained 11kg for the role, demonstrating her commitment to the project. Viewers have responded positively, with some commenting, "She's stable even as a rookie," "She captures the freshness of a high school student well," and "Her acting is impressive for someone I've never seen before."

What stands out the most is that 'GIRIGO' is Jeon So-young's debut leading role. Despite her limited experience, she portrayed her character with depth and anchored the drama. In an interview with TenAsia, Jeon So-young shared, "I felt some pressure, but I was more excited to work with peers and senior actors," she said with a smile.

Jeon So-young debuted in 2025 with the KBS drama 'Kick Kick Kick Kick' and has since appeared in various projects, building her filmography. Notably, she left a strong impression with a brief role as Lee Chae-min's ex-girlfriend in MBC's 'Bunny and the Brothers' and portrayed a dark and cold character as Lee Na-young's daughter in ENA's 'Honor: Their Court'. Her versatile acting skills have shone brightly in 'GIRIGO'.

Her next project is the upcoming TVING original 'Becoming a Legend in the Kitchen', set to be released on the 11th. Jeon So-young will play the role of Jung Min-ah, the pre-enlistment girlfriend of actor Park Ji-hoon. She is also set to appear in major projects like tvN's 'Retirement Agent + Management Team' and TVING's 'Study Group Season 2', continuing her upward trajectory.

Now in her second year since debut, Jeon So-young is rapidly expanding her presence with her natural looks and stable acting skills. Her ability to add her unique touch to each character makes her stand out even more. The anticipation for Jeon So-young's next steps is high.

Jung Se-yoon, TenAsia Reporter yoon@tenasia.co.kr