You may have noticed actor Ahn Hyo Seop’s stunning visual as Cha Min in the drama “Abyss,” started liking him as Seo Woo Jin in “Dr. Romantic 2“ and Ha Ram in “Lovers of the Red Sky,” and then fell madly in love with him as Kang Tae Moo in rom-com drama “A Business Proposal.” So, who is Ahn Hyo Seop, and why is he so popular? Here are all the hidden facts you must know about actor Ahn Hyo Seop: from who his girlfriend is, his ideal type, real nationality, his English-speaking skills, dating life, dramas, and movies.
Let’s find out more about Ahn Hyo Seop!
Ahn Hyo Seop : Girlfriend, Dating Life, Nationality, Dramas, Movies, and more
Biodata and Information
- Name: Ahn Hyo Seop (안효섭)
- English Name: Paul Ahn
- Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
- Birth Date: April 17, 1995
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
- Height: 188 cm (6 ft. 2 inch.)
- Blood Type: A
- Favorite Color: Red and Blue
- Favorite Food: Bungeoppang, Kimchi Stew, Grilled Pork Belly
- Favorite Sports: Basketball, Tennis, and Soccer
- Favorite Band: English Band PREP.
- Agency: The Present Company
- Social Media: Facebook, Instagram, Weibo
Who is Ahn Hyo Seop: Early Life and REAL Nationality
First and foremost, you must know that actor Ahn Hyo Seop real nationality is NOT Korean. He actually has Canadian nationality.
He was born in Seoul, South Korea, indeed. However, when he was 7 years old, his whole family emigrated to Toronto, Canada. They have since lived in the country and that is how he acquired his Canadian nationality.
Then, having still a Canadian nationality, actor Ahn Hyo Seop decided to return to South Korea at 17. He wanted to get more opportunities to pursue his passion in singing and acting. However, he had limited chances if he stayed in Canada. That is why the actor moved back to South Korea while his parents stayed in Canada.
Is Ahn Hyo Seop Good at Speaking English?
The answer to this question is: naturally!
Since Ahn Hyo Seop is actually a Canadian and was basically raised in Canada, English is actually his second language. That is why his English-speaking skill is fundamentally native-like. If you have watched “Abyss”, then you must have understood how the actor English-speaking skills are extremely outstanding.
Born and Raised as A Catholic in an English-Speaking Environment
If you’re wondering why Ahn Hyo Seop’s English name is Paul, it actually came from his baptismal name. Ahn Hyo Seop was born and raised in a devoted catholic family.
His family consists of his father, mother, grandmother, a pharmacist hyung born in 1989, and an accountant noona born in 1991. They all moved to Canada with him when he was 7.
In general opinion, many people would probably think that Ahn Hyo Seop has a model childhood. Hence, he was mostly quiet, and since his parents cared so much about his education, he spent most of his childhood studying and honing his skills. Therefore, when JYP Entertainment team scouted him while he was still attending high school in Canada, Ahn Hyo Seop didn’t really get permission from his parents.
Started as a Trainee in JYP Entertainment
After a team from JYP Entertainment scouted him in Canada, two weeks later, Ahn Hyo Seop returned to South Korea and became a trainee at JYP Entertainment. Despite barely getting his parents’ permission, Ahn Hyo Seop decided to pursue his passion and trained with JYP for almost 3 years. He appeared as a cameo in various promotional videos for JYP artists, including Miss A.
ALMOST Debuted with Popular Boy Group GOT7
Moreover, since he trained so hard during his 3 years with JYP Entertainment, Ahn Hyo Seop was actually one of the luckiest trainees chosen to debut with JYP popular kpop group, GOT7.
So, why didn’t he make the cut?
As a matter of fact, he once admitted that by the time GOT7 debuted, he was not good enough for the team. Also, unlike the other GOT7 members, Ahn Hyo Seop was quite tall. That is why he didn’t make it to debut with GOT7.
Then, Ahn Hyo Seop realized that the world of Kpop was not really for him, and that is why he wanted to pursue a different path: acting.
Ahn Hyo Seop’s Exciting Bromance with Jackson Wang
Indeed, you may be thinking that it was such a disappointment that Ahn Hyo Seop didn’t make the cut for GOT7 for such silly reasons. However, it doesn’t mean that the actor fell into desperation. In fact, his former days as a JYP Entertainment trainee brought him close to his now bestie, Jackson Wang.
During his trainee days, Ahn Hyo Seop made so many memories with all the other GOT7 members, especially Jackson Wang. Because they both moved to South Korea without their family, Ahn Hyo Seop and Jackson Wang shared similar feelings and difficulties. That is why Ahn Hyo Seop considers Jackson Wang as his “vitamin”.
It is no wonder, really! With such an extroverted personality from Jackson Wang, no wonder they can perfectly match each other.
Why Ahn Hyo Seop is Popular: A Man of MANY Talents
So, why is Ahn Hyo Seop so popular? One of the reasons is sufficed to say that because Ahn Hyo Seop is a man of MANY talents. Since he was a former JYPE trainee, of course, Ahn Hyo Seop was great at singing and dancing. But that is not everything.
Ahn Hyo Seop is Actually a Violinist
Ahn Hyo Seop is an amazing violinist. He first learned to play violin during his 6th grade because his best friend played cello, and he wanted to play together. After that, Ahn Hyo Seop played violin in an orchestra in middle and high school. And you can see how great he is with violin during his moment with the “Always Cantare” TV program.
Piano is His Favorite Instrument
Along with violin, Ahn Hyo Seop also plays piano and guitar. However, he’s most confident in playing the piano. And it is no wonder, really. After all, he has induced himself in classical music since he was a child. In fact, he adores Chopin and Debussy as his favorite composers, and he LOVES Chopin’s Nocturne.
Does Ahn Hyo Seop Like Sports?
Yes, he does! Ahn Hyo Seop likes sports a lot.
When Ahn Hyo Seop was in high school, he was actually a member of the high school’s soccer club. And today, he admitted that his favorite sports are tennis, soccer, and basketball. And he adores the basketball player, Stephen Curry.
What is Ahn Hyo Seop Personality Really Like?
Previously, we have once discussed how actor Ahn Hyo Seop was very caring towards his drama co-stars. However, that is not all there is to it.
Ahn Hyo Seop is quite introverted and reserved and harbors tremendous empathy. These traits are what make his acting skills extraordinary: because he can relate to all his characters on a much deeper level.
At the same time, such traits and personality make Ahn Hyo Seop looks quiet and timid. That is why if you pay attention to his interviews, he doesn’t laugh that loud and even often looks awkward. Because of this, most people might think that Ahn Hyo Seop is a little bit arrogant. But no. He’s not arrogant. Ahn Hyo Seop is just so introverted to the point that he’s socially awkward.
Who is Ahn Hyo Seop Dating – Facts About His Girlfriend and Ideal Type?
So, you may be curious who is Ahn Hyo Seop dating right now? Who in the world is Ahn Hyo Seop girlfriend?
Well, as a matter of fact, despite having many, MANY dating rumors with his previous co-stars, “A Business Proposal” and “Lovers of the Red Sky” actor Ahn Hyo Seop is not dating anyone in the moment. He doesn’t even have any past dating history and is currently focusing on his acting career.
Then, if Ahn Hyo Seop is not dating anyone and has zero girlfriend history, then who is his girlfriend material and what is his ideal type?
Once Ahn Hyo Seop mentioned in an interview that he was definitely NOT looking for someone beautiful. Rather, Ahn Hyo Seop ideal type of woman lies in her personality and communication skills.
Since Ahn Hyo Seop has a reserved and very, VERY shy personality, he’s looking for someone with whom he can communicate well. In addition, he wants to have a woman who walks within the same frequency as him and has a good heart.
“I like women with whom I can easily communicate. I particularly like women who are good-hearted with no ill intentions. So, my ideal type is someone I can communicate with rather than anything to do with looks.”
Ahn Hyo Seop.
PERFECT Chemistry with His Girlfriend Co-Stars in Each Drama
At the same time, although Ahn Hyo Seop does not have any girlfriend and is not dating anyone, it didn’t really show during his acting performance AT ALL. During all his drama, actor Ahn Hyo Seop has shown amazing professionalism and perfect chemistry with almost all his co-stars.
Along with the fact that Ahn Hyo Seop managed to build such wonderful chemistry with all his co-stars in almost all of his drama, his acting skills are just on a whole different level! And that is thanks to his high empathy.
No wonder Ahn Hyo Seop has now truly become the King of Romance Korean drama!
Watch his beautiful chemistry with his co-stars below, including his outstanding couple dance with Kim Seul Gi.
“Queen of the Ring” with Kim Seul Gi
“Abyss” with Park Bo Young
“Dr. Romantic 2” with Lee Sung Kyung
“Lovers of the Red Sky” with Kim Yoo Jung
“Business Proposal” with Kim Sejeong
All About The Actor’s Favorites!
So, are you a hardcore Ahn HyoSeop fan? Then these are all about Ahn Hyo Seop’s favorites that you MUST know.
A CAT Person and LOVES Traveling
Ahn Hyo Seop is a cat person! He likes playing with his cat, Ba Ul (derived from his name, Paul), during his free time and loves him so much. On other days, he likes spending his free time on the beach rather than the mountain. And if he has the chance to travel someday, he would like to travel to Hawaii as his ultimate travel destination.
Yes, he just LOVES traveling so much.
Doesn’t Like Sweet Food
Now, if you want to bring him a meal, make sure you don’t give him something sweet because he doesn’t like sweet food. Instead, you can get him Korean food like bungeoppang or kimchi jjigae since he LOVES them so much!
His Hollywood Favorite
Next, in the world of entertainment, the actor admires the works of Christopher Nolan, including “Inception”, “Interstellar”, “Memento”, and “The Dark Knight”. And his favorite Hollywood actors are Robert Downey Jr., Bradley Cooper, and Christian Bale.
Ahn Hyo Seop is a HUGE Fan of Hyun Bin – His Ideal Type of an Actor
As for his local hero, Ahn Hyo Seop is apparently a huge fan of Hyun Bin!
During the Baeksang Arts Awards 2020, the actor was particularly thrilled because he could finally meet Hyun Bin in person.
“I’ve admired Hyun Bin so much from when I was a kid, and he sat behind me. I was so nervous that I felt like I had chills going up and down my spine.
Son Ye Jin and Namgoong Min were also present, and I wanted to say hi, but those 2 meters between us felt like such a long distance. In my eyes, they’re such big celebrities that I felt like I would be a burden if I went up to talk to them.”
Ahn Hyo Seop.
What is Ahn Hyo Seop’s Dream?
Now, did you know that Ahn Hyo Seop does not always want to be an actor?
Since he was raised in such a model childhood environment, he had a different dream when he was a child. He once thought that he would become an accountant, diplomat, or consultant. But now, he believes that he would probably become just an accountant if he were not an actor.
Ahn Hyo Seop Dramas and Movies
- “Sold Out Again Today” (“오늘도 매진했습니다”) – Romantic Comedy Drama, 2026
- “Omniscient Reader” (“전지적 독자 시점”) – Movie, 2025
- “KPop Demon Hunters” (“케이팝 데몬 헌터스”) – Hybrid Action-Musical Animation, Netflix Original, 2025
- “A Time Called You” (“너의 시간 속으로”) – Time-Slip Romance Drama, Netflix Original, 2023
- “Dr. Romantic Season 3” (“낭만닥тер 김사부 시즌3”) – SBS, Medical Drama, 2023
- “Business Proposal” (“사내맞선”) – Romantic Comedy, SBS, Netflix, 2022
- “Lovers of the Red Sky” (“홍천기”) – Fantasy Romance Historical Drama, SBS, Viu, 2021
- “Dr. Romantic Season 2” (“낭만닥터 김사부 시즌2”) – Medical Drama, SBS, WAVVE, 2020
- “Abyss” (“어비스”) – Crime Fantasy Romance Drama, tvN, Netflix, 2019
- “Thirty But Seventeen” (“서른이지만, 열일곱 입니다”) – Romantic Comedy Drama, SBS, 2018
- “Top Management” (“탑 매니지먼트”) – Romantic Comedy Drama, YouTube Red, 2018
- “My Father is Strange” (“아버지가 이상해”) – Family, Comedy Drama, KBS2, 2017
- “Queen of the Ring” (“반지의 여왕”) – Fantasy Romance Drama, MBC, 2017
- “Entertainer” (“딴따라”) – Romantic Comedy Drama, SBS, 2016
- “One More Happy Ending” (“한 번 더 해피앤딩”) – Romantic Comedy Drama, MBC, 2016
- “Happy Home” (“가화만사성”) – Family, Comedy Drama, MBC, 2016
- “Splash Splash Love” (“퐁당퐁당 LOVE”) – Fantasy Romance Historical Drama, MBC, 2015
So, what do you think about Ahn Hyo Seop and all these extraordinary facts about him? Now you must have understood why Ahn Hyo Seop is so popular. And you have all the answers about his dating life, who Ahn Hyo Seop girlfriend is, ideal type, nationality, and how in the world he is speaking English so perfectly.
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Duh he is cute and good lookin ???❤️
Ahn Hyo Seop so cool and smartt. He is growing well
Ik ???
He is so cute. Saranghae Ahn Hyn Seop
Saranghae Ahn Hyn Seop