Entertainment
Who Is Sean Solo, TikTok's Viral "Hongdae Guy"?
You've probably scrolled through his videos asking if you're "open-minded."
by Em Enriquez
Published on May 28, 2025
Korean TikToker Sean Solo has amassed millions of views for his videos satirizing the infamous "Hongdae Guy." In his reels, Sean showcases different scenarios where the overly confident persona approaches women, typically foreigners, in hopes of linking up. Typically equipped with an iPhone 16 Pro Max and a black leather jacket, the Hongdae guy has become a social media sensation in his own right.
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No stranger to the touristy district, Sean leverages his expertise in Korean dating culture to create viral-worthy content. Sprouting from such are a handful of soundbites that are sure to stick to one's memory. For a low-down of what to know about the man behind the comedic 15-second sketches, scroll through the facts listed below.
Who Is Sean Solo? Facts About the Viral Korean TikToker
Sean studied at an international school in South Korea.
In most of his videos, Sean speaks English with a stereotypical Korean accent when approaching his potential dates. Outside of TikTok, he's fluent in the language given his upbringing in an international school. He holds a Canadian passport since his mom was born in Canada, where the law states that citizenship rights also get passed on to one's children.
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Sean started making content after mandatory military service.
Sean began his foray into the internet in May 2022, freshly discharged from mandatory military service. Given his cross-cultural upbringing, he was enlisted under the KATUSA, a program where soldiers are assigned to U.S. army units in South Korea.
Post-military time, a friend of his suggested that he start a TikTok account. While his first few posts garnered little attention, his account took off when he started streaming and going on live more frequently. He's since branched out to other social networking sites, such as a YouTube channel and Twitch stream.
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Sean was once bullied for his weight.
During his childhood, Sean was subject to bullying from his peers, which affected how he performed in class. "I [didn't] really [put myself] out there academically because I got bullied for being overweight. I didn't want to do anything with school. I would just kind of neglect s school work [and] that's why I got bad grades," he opened up in an interview.
His weight loss journey became a pivotal point in his life, especially during his military service. When he was starting out on TikTok, he sought to share more about his health and fitness regimens.
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PHOTO: Instagram/itsseansolo.
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Sean can play the guitar.
Aside from creating content online, Sean occassionally posts about his talents in playing the guitar. On Instagram, he's shared instrumental covers of popular songs he plays fully on the electric guitar.
Sean actually dislikes Hongdae.
Sean reportedly molded the character of the "Hongdae Guy" out of pure disdain. In a TikTok he posted back in 2023, he recounted an unpleasant experience in one of the district's nightclubs, which led him to call it the "Devil's Place."
Sean's persona of the "Hongdae Guy" is a caricature of sorts of the Korean man and how brazen they can be when it comes to dating foreigners. "Those guys might [think that] American girls are 'open-minded' [but these] guys are just narrow-minded, you know," he articulates in a podcast guesting. In his viral internet skits, he aims to illustrate how ridiculous and awkward these men appear whenever they make a move towards women who are not from Korea.
Sean's TikTok uploads have actually spawned studies on the undesirable nature of dating observed in Hongdae and throughout South Korea. The Conversation writes, "The fact these men exist, and have become a recognisable part of Hongdae’s nightlife, speaks to serious broader issues of misogyny and gendered thinking..."
"For foreign women unaware of South Korea’s gender inequality issues, and who expect the sugar-coated image of Korean men they’ve seen in K-pop or K-dramas, the reality of the hookup culture may come as a shock."
Em is queer and probably daydreaming somewhere. They're Preview's associate entertainment editor who's often spotted in cowboy boots and lemon-tinted sunnies.