10 Things You Need to Know About "Once Upon A Small Town" Leading Man Baek Sung Chul (2025)

Anyone who hasn't quite moved on yet from Hometown Cha-cha-cha (we know you're out there!) has a new, heart-fluttering K-drama to binge. KakaoTV's Once Upon a Small Town is all about a Seoulite veterinarian who hesitantly moves to a provincial village for his practice. There, he meets an endearing police officer who helps him adjust to his new home. Along the way, a love triangle of sorts forms between them and a young local farmer.

Included in the main trio of the cast, alongsideRed Velvet's Joy and Choo Young Woo, is rookie actor Baek Sung Chul. In the show, he plays Heedong village's go-to "nuclear man" Lee Sang-hyeon, who's also best friends with Joy's character, Officer Ahn Ja-young. Having debuted just last 2021, much is surely still in store for the up-and-coming leading man. Curious to know more about him? Keep scrolling!

10 Fast Facts About Baek Sung Chul

1. Baek Sung Chul is a Pisces

Sung Chul was born in South Korea on March 10, 1999.

2. Baek Sung Chul is handled by Esteem Group

Initially entering the scene as a commercial model, Sung Chul signed with Esteem Group, a Korean agency that handles artists of all kinds. Other names under the same company include Choi Min Ho (To The Beautiful You), Lee Ho Yeon (Love Is Jungle), and Kim Jong Hoon (Police Univesity).

3. Baek Sung Chul has been featured in several magazines

Even before he debuted on screen, Sung Chul's visuals have already circulated around. He's graced the pages of local editions ofEsquire,Marie Claire, andElle, among many other titles. A natural in front of the camera, if you ask us!

4. Baek Sung Chul made his debut in 2021 drama How to Be Thirty

The young actor just turned 23 last March 2022, but his first ever K-drama role actually had him play someone in their early thirties. In 2021, he was cast inHow to Be Thirty, a KakaoTV rom-com about a group of friends navigating through a new decade in their lives. Playing a part-time employee at a cafe, Sung Chulstarred alongside Jung In Sun, Kang Min Hyuk, and Ahn Hee Yoon.

5. Baek Sung Chul appeared in a fantasy-drama starring Nam Ji Hyun

After How to Be Thirty, Sung Chul played a supporting role in The Witch's Diner, a fantastical series helmed by 100 Days My Prince and Little Women actress Nam Ji Hyun. In it, he portrayed a high schooler namedKo Hyun-woo.

6. Baek Sung Chul played a rookie police officer in Inspector Koo

2021 was definitely the year Sung Chul burst into the scene. Wrapping up his list of projects at the time was the action-thrillerInspector Koo. Veteran actress Lee Young Ae took on the titular role, with Sung Chul playing one of her apprentices nicknamed as Santa. In an interview, he shared that out of all the characters he's done so far, he identifies himself with Santa the most.

7. Baek Sung Chul is a shy guy

You might think that someone who's in front of the cameras all the time is used to being the center of attention, but Sung Chul actually professes to being an introvert. He's previously stated that he had to get out of his shell during filming for Once Upon A Small Town, which, thankfully, wasn't that difficult.

"I’m the type to be shy around new people, but because everyone took good care of me, I was able to adapt quickly," he said. He credits the easy adjustment to the warm cast and crew, mentioning leading lady Joy in particular.

8. Baek Sung Chul's favorite thing in his closet is a scarf

When it comes to dressing up, Sung Chul's a fan of layering. In a video with Marie Claire Korea, he stated that none of his winter OOTDs are complete without a chunky scarf around his neck. Cozy and cute!

9. Baek Sung Chul is a film buff

Over on the actor's Instagram, one can find a ton of double tap-worthy selfies and travelgrams. Amidst these though, are stills from classic and contemporary Western movies that we assume are some of his favorites. These include Oscar-winning flicks like12 Years A Slave,Green Book, andThe Irishman.

10. You can follow Baek Sung Chul on Instagram

And speaking of his Instagram, you can go ahead and follow Sung Chulhere. Fair warning: Prepare to swoon over his pics!

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