After graduating from Seoul National University's department of Korean literature, Seo went on to receive a doctorate at the university's graduate school. Having taught at Keimyung University and Ewha Womans University, he retired as a professor at the SNU department of Korean literature. Currently, he is a professor emeritus at his alma mater. Seo has served as the president of the Society of Korean Oral Literature, Society of Korean Classical Literature, and Society of Korean Language and Literature. His published works include Overview of Oral Literature (co-authored), A Study on Korean Song and Dance, A Study on Korean Myths, and Jokes of Oral Literature.