Ok Ja-yeon (; born December 19, 1988) is a South Korean actress.
Early life Ok was born and raised in Suncheon by school teacher parents.
Ok described herself as not studious in her younger years, but due to the influence of her friend in middle school, she started taking her studies seriously. She then excelled in academics all throughout middle school and high school. She was also a member of the theater club in middle school, but had no desire of becoming an actress during that time.
Ok initially wanted to become a lawyer and planned to study law for her undergraduate degree, but her grades did not meet the admission requirement of Seoul National University for the said degree. Due to her interest in the arts, she then decided to major in aesthetics and planned to pursue law later.
In her third year of university, Ok watched the play Snow In March and was moved by the performance of actor Jang Minho. She cited it as the reason why her love for theater and acting grew and her dream of becoming an actress was born.
Career Ok decided to change careers and pursued acting at 25 years old (in Korean age). She made her acting debut in the theater play Guest in 2012.
For almost 10 years, Ok only played minor and supporting roles in various stage plays, films, and TV dramas. In 2021, she landed her first main role in the TV series Mine which became a hit and Ok gained recognition for her villain character. For her performance, she received a Best Supporting Actress nomination at the 58th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Ok received her first acting award at the 23rd Jeonju International Film Festival after being named Best Actress for her work in the independent film The Archeology of Love.
In April 2023, Ok was named as a judge at the 24th Jeonju International Film Festival for the International Competition category.
In 2025, Ok acted in the Korean premiere of the British play The Effect, written by Lucy Prebble. Ok was triple cast as the character Connie Hall, starring alongside Park Jeong-bok and Kim Ju-yeon. The play is a story about "love and sorrow" centered on four characters: Connie Hall and Tristan Frey, who are participating in a clinical trial for an antidepressant, and the two doctors supervising the test, Dr. Lorna James and Dr. Toby Seeley. The production was directed by Min Sae-rom, with Park Ji-sun as the screenwriter and Bae Yu-ri as the motion director. The show ran from June 10 to August 31 at the Nol Seo-kyung Square Scone Theater 2.
In March 2026, it was announced that Ok will be starring in the upcoming South Korean television adaption of the American spy drama television series The Americans alongside Lee Byung-hun and Han Ji-min under the working title The Koreans (), that is slated to be released on Disney+ in 2027. Also in 2026, Ok starred in the SBS romantic comedy workplace television series titled Sold Out on You. It was announced that Ok will make a special appearance in the upcoming psychological thriller television series titled The Perfect Lie starring Yoo Yeon-seok and Seo Hyun-jin, that will premiere on MBC TV in October 2026.
Filmography Film
YearTitleRoleNotes2016The Age of ShadowsLee Jung-chool's wife2017Because I Love YouSchool guardCameo2018BurningJa-yunSupport roleIllang: The Wolf BrigadeIllangBit partThe Great BattleSoldier's wife2019Miss & Mrs. CopsNew Pacific suicide female victimThe BeastJong-chan's wifeSupport roleThe SnobTak So-youngMain roleAshfallMinSupporting role2021The Very RoseYoon JeongMain roleSave the CatYoung-wooGhost ImageOn the LineIntelligence Temple #1Cameo 2022 Alienoid Doctor 2023The Archeology of Love Yeong-sil Main role 2024Mission: Cross Baek Seon-woo Supporting role 2025The Old Woman with the Knife Cho-yeob Supporting role
Television series
YearTitleRoleNotes2017Two CopsJin Soo-ahSupporting roleBad Guys: City of EvilYang Pil-soon2018Wok of LoveLee Ji-kyung2019Different DreamsOh Kwang-shim2020Find Me in Your MemoryMs. KangCameo (Episode 30)The Uncanny CounterBaek Hyang-heeSupporting role2021MineKang Ja-kyung / Lee Hye-jinMain roleThe VeilLin WeiSupporting role2022Big MouthHyun Ju-hee Under the Queen's Umbrella Royal Consort Gwi-in Hwang2023QueenmakerGuk Ji-yeon 2023–2024Gyeongseong Creature Na Young-chun 2024LTNSJeong Min-sooGangnam B-SideChoi Su-inParole Examiner Lee Protester Cameo (Episode 12) 2025Nine Puzzles Seo Yang-hee Cameo Oh My Ghost Clients Lee Seo-jeongGuest role (Episodes 3 and 4) 2026 Sold Out on You Michelle Supporting role The Perfect Lie
Television shows Year Title Role 2022 Jump Like a Witch Cast member
Theater Year Title Role Notes 2012 Guest Acting debut 2013 Sunday Morning Rice Thief 2012–2013 Romeo and Juliet Guard 2014 Dry and Worn Out King Claudius Gertrude The Story of the Beast's Body Doctor Hamlet Avatar Ophelia 2015 The Hague 1907 Lee Jun's wife Origin of Faith 2: The Winds of Fukushima Su-jin 2016 Game Emma Sara Blackbird Una Lead role 2020 Wandering Around Lee Ja-yeon 2022 Hiding White Flowers Maiko
Awards and nominations + Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Baeksang Arts Awards 2022 Best Supporting Actress – Television Mine Jeonju International Film Festival 2022 Best ActressThe Archeology of Love Singapore International Film Festival
References
External links
Ok Ja-yeon at PlayDB.co.kr