This paper investigates the properties of overt subjects in obligatory control complements (e.g., pronouns and long-distance anaphors) in Korean, in comparison to both the null subject PRO and the non-controlled pronouns/anaphors. Based on the similarities and differences between the null and overt controlled subjects, I propose that an overt element can appear in the controlled subject position in Korean if and only if (i) it can be used as a bound variable and (ii) its own binding conditions (if there are any) are satisfied. Moreover, I argue that the obligatory de se interpretations of the controlled subjects and the long-distance reflexive are derived from the same semantic mechanism, following the property analysis of de se (Lewis, 1979; Chierchia, 1989; Percus & Sauerland, 2003; Pearson, 2013; a.o.).