Born on January 19, 1991, in Uijeongbu, Hwang In-yeop (황인엽) is a South Korean actor, model, and singer. After completing his military service and studying in the Philippines—where he was known by the English first name Ryan Leon—he began his career as a model in 2017 before turning to acting.
Her first roles in web dramas W.H.Y. and Freshman open the doors to television for him with The Tale of Nokdu (2019), but it was in 2020 that he became a true breakout star thanks to 18 Again and, above all, True Beauty. His portrayal of the charismatic Han Seo-jun, a big-hearted romantic rival, has earned him immense international popularity and made him one of the most famous «second leads» in the history of K-dramas. He also performs one of the show’s OST tracks.
He then reaffirms his status as one of the most beloved actors with The Sound of Magic (2022), Why Her? and Family by Choice (2024), in which he displays an increasingly mature range as an actor.
In 2025, he made a notable appearance in Dear X, before returning to a leading role in 2026 with the romance Dream to You. That same year, he was also announced as part of the cast of A Guide to Proper Dating, marking a particularly significant year in his career. In 2027, he will build on this momentum by participating in the highly anticipated Human x Gumiho.
With his intense gaze, deep voice, and natural charisma, Hwang In-yeop has become one of the most recognizable faces in modern Korean romances. Capable of playing both the bad boy and the romantic hero, he continues to captivate K-drama fans and has established himself as one of the biggest stars of his generation.
