'Descendants' doppelganger a shy soldier

(Inbox) Jin Goo from “Descendants of the Sun” and Sergeant Major Seo Dae-young / Yonhap

By Ko Dong-hwan

The real world and fiction have collided in an unlikely coincidence involving Korea’s hottest TV drama, “Descendants of the Sun.” A Korean soldier shares with one of the show’s characters the same name, rank, job description and even where they met their partners.

Sergeant Major (SGM) Seo Dae-young, 30, from ROK Special Warfare Command, exists in fiction ― portrayed by Jin Goo in the KBS drama ― and the real world. And they have both been acknowledged for their military skills. Jin portrays a soldier full of pride who always gets tasks done, while SGM Seo also has a top performance record.

At the 58th anniversary of the command’s establishment on Apr 1, it awarded SGM Seo “soldier of the year,” recognizing his high scores for 23 categories covering skills and ethics.

(Left)Kim Ji-won and Jin Goo from “Descendants of the Sun”

SGM Seo, left, and his wife / Yonhap

SGM Seo also topped comrades in naval warfare and mountain training, acquired a total of 14 dans in martial arts including taekwondo, aikido and kendo, and has 11 licenses related to medical emergencies.

In 2006, SGM Seo was sent to Iraq, just as Seo from the drama was.

In 2013, SGM Seo married a staff sergeant from the command after dating her for four years. Seo from the drama also dates first lieutenant medic Yoon Myeong-joo (Kim Ji-won).

“I feel shy after the press highlighted me following the drama’s popularity,” SGM Seo said. “I will not fall behind my doppelganger from the drama in fulfilling my duty of protecting my country.”