Social problems such as polarization of income, unemployment and deterioration of employment structure are emerging, and social enterprises are attracting attention as a paradigm that can solve this problem. Social entrepreneurs can contribute not only to the sustainability of social enterprises but also to the growth of enterprises. This study focused on this fact and tried to conceptualize social entrepreneurship through exploration research. Thus, the purpose of this study is as follows. First, we explore the key factors of social entrepreneurship that can play a key role in the sustainability of social enterprises, focusing on individual characteristics of social entrepreneurs. Second, we try to conceptualize the core factors of social entrepreneurship and conceptualize the social entrepreneurship from the perspective of individual characteristics. To do this, we conducted in-depth interviews with 17 social entrepreneurs who have successfully operated social enterprises for more than 5 years, public officials, and a employee of social enterprise. The interviewees were selected through snowball. All interview data were analyzed using the NVivo qualitative research analysis package. As a result of the analysis, social entrepreneurship consisted of ‘self-confidence about social missions’, ‘entrepreneurial orientation’, ‘insight for solving social problems’ and ‘diffusion of social values’ factors. In other words, social entrepreneurship can be defined as the pursuit of social values ​​through self-confidence in social missions and social entrepreneurship orientation and social problem solving insight. The results of this research provide practical implications for prospective social entrepreneurs by providing an understanding of the factors and concepts of social entrepreneurship. Also, it can be a useful guide for developing a social entrepreneurship education program.