Byeon Woo-seok’s star has been on a sharp rise over the past few years. After sitting out last year’s drama release schedules, he returns this weekend in what is arguably his most hotly anticipated role to date: Grand Prince Ian in the alternate-history fantasy romance Perfect Crown opposite K-pop idol IU (aka Lee Ji-eun).

Born in Bucheon, a satellite city southwest of Seoul, in 1991, Byeon spent his early childhood there before relocating to the capital. Influenced by his older sister, he became interested in acting and modelling while at school.

His parents did not initially support his new job ambitions, but he was nevertheless allowed to enrol as a student in the Theatre and Film department at Cheongju University in Cheongju City. He went out looking for an agency to recruit him as an actor, but he was scouted as a model instead. As his career took off, he discontinued his university studies.

Debuting as a model in 2010, Byeon quickly became active at fashion shows and in magazine spreads. He was a visible presence at Seoul Fashion Week, gracing the catwalks for spring and autumn collections for several years.

This success as a model gave him the opportunity to return to his original passion: acting.