Lee Se-young

Lee Se-young Filmography & Guide — From Dae Jang Geum Child Star to The Red Sleeve and Rashta in The Remarried Empress

This guide covers actress Lee Se-young, born December 20, 1992 (not to be confused with the comedian of the same name). Beginning her career as a child actress, she later earned the Top Excellence Award at the 2021 MBC Drama Awards for her role as court lady Seong Deok-im in The Red Sleeve. In 2026, she takes on the role of Rashta, an escaped slave turned royal mistress, in Disney+’s The Remarried Empress.

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Why Her Casting as Rashta Matters

Rashta is a pivotal figure who starts out as an escaped slave and finds her way to the emperor's side. As the woman who disrupts the empress's position, she serves as the catalyst for the entire story's central conflict. Empress Navier is played by Shin Min-a, Emperor Sovieshu by Ju Ji-hoon, and Prince Heinrey by Lee Jong-suk. For release schedules and character dynamics, check out The Remarried Empress Guide.

While Seong Deok-im was a court lady determined to protect her own agency before the king, Rashta is a character striving to claim her place within the imperial court at all costs. Both are set in royal courts, yet their motivations begin from completely opposite ends of the spectrum, making the two performances a fascinating study in contrast.

Notable Period Dramas

The Red Sleeve swept the 2021 MBC Drama Awards, taking home Drama of the Year, Top Excellence Awards for both leads, and the Best Couple Award.

Expanding Her Range in Modern Dramas

Lee has consistently expanded her acting palette across diverse genres: resident Kang Shi-young in Doctor John (2019), profiler Han Sun-mi in Memorist (2020), Han Ae-ri in Kairos (2020), and attorney Kim Yu-ri in The Law Cafe (2022). In 2024, she starred as Choi Hong in the cross-border romance What Comes After Love, set in Japan, and portrayed Ji Kang-hee in MBC's Motel California (2025).

From Child Star to Leading Lady

Lee Se-young made her debut in 1997 as a child actress, gaining widespread recognition playing young Choi Geum-young in the smash-hit historical drama Dae Jang Geum. She successfully stepped into the spotlight as an adult actress with her standout performance as Min Hyo-won in The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop (2016).

Frequently Asked Questions

Who does Lee Se-young play in The Remarried Empress?
She plays Rashta.

Is she the same person as comedian Lee Se-young?
No. This page focuses solely on the dramatic actress Lee Se-young.

What agency represents Lee Se-young?
She signed an exclusive management contract with Fantagio in 2025.

What is her official Instagram account?
Her verified account is @seyoung_10.

Discover more actor profiles on our Actors page.

Sources Verified

• Top Star News, The Remarried Empress Release Schedule & Cast (2026-11-02): https://www.topstarnews.net/news/articleView.html?idxno=16265747
• TenAsia, Lee Se-young Cast as Rashta in The Remarried Empress (2026-10-28): https://www.tenasia.co.kr/article/2026102801174
• The Fact, 2021 MBC Drama Awards: https://news.tf.co.kr/read/ogmeta/1909465.htm
• Sports Kyunghyang, Fantagio Profile: https://sports.khan.co.kr/article/202512030909013
• Wikipedia Filmography and Awards (dates & character verification): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lee_Se-young

Data verified: November 6, 2026.