Choi Woo-shik: The Thousand-Faced Actor Who Became a ‘Trustworthy Actor’
Choi Woo-shik is an actor who has captivated Chungmuro (Korean film industry) with his delicate acting skills and diverse charms. From independent films to blockbusters, he is building his own filmography across various genres. What is the appeal of this actor who continues to show new sides of himself even after gaining global recognition with ‘Parasite’? Let’s take a closer look at Choi Woo-shik’s acting career and the secrets to his popularity.
1. Who is Choi Woo-shik?
- Debut: 2011, MBC drama ‘The Duo’
- Born: March 26, 1990, Seoul, South Korea
- Education: Chung-Ang University (Asian Culture Studies)
- Agency: Management SOOP
- Representative Works: Set Me Free, Train to Busan, The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, Parasite, Time to Hunt, Our Beloved Summer, The Policeman’s Lineage, Wonderland
Choi Woo-shik debuted in 2011 with the drama ‘The Duo’ and gained acting experience by appearing in supporting roles in various works such as ‘Rooftop Prince’ and ‘Special Affairs Team TEN’. He started to gain attention with the 2014 film ‘Set Me Free’ and showcased impressive performances in films like ‘Train to Busan’ and ‘The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion’. In 2019, he rose to the ranks of top actors by gaining worldwide recognition for his role as Ki-woo in Bong Joon-ho’s film ‘Parasite’.
2. Analyzing the secrets to Choi Woo-shik’s popularity
Choi Woo-shik has established himself as a ‘trustworthy actor’ through his outstanding acting skills, wide acting spectrum, and a spirit of constant challenge.
- Delicate acting skills: Choi Woo-shik delivers empathy and emotion to the audience by deeply exploring the inner side of his characters with delicate emotional expression and excellent character portrayal. He imbues every role he takes on with his own unique color.
- Wide acting spectrum: Choi Woo-shik has challenged himself with various genres and characters, crossing between dramas and films. He showcases new sides of himself with every performance, digesting a wide acting spectrum from romantic comedies to thrillers and action.
- Constant challenge: Choi Woo-shik does not settle and constantly challenges himself with new roles, attempting to transform his acting. He shows his willingness to challenge his limits and continuously grow, raising expectations among fans.
3. Choi Woo-shik’s representative works
- Set Me Free (2014): An independent film that tells the story of 17-year-old Yeong-jae who lives a difficult life in a poor environment. Choi Woo-shik won the Best New Actor award at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for his performance in this film, gaining recognition for his acting skills.
- Parasite (2019): A black comedy film that depicts the unexpected events that unfold when Ki-woo (Choi Woo-shik), the eldest son of the unemployed Ki-taek (Song Kang-ho) family, goes to a job interview for a high-paying tutoring position. This film won the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and the Academy Award for Best Picture, creating a global sensation.
- Our Beloved Summer (2021): A romantic comedy drama that tells the story of ex-lovers Choi Ung (Choi Woo-shik) and Kook Yeon-soo (Kim Da-mi) who reunite due to a documentary shoot. Choi Woo-shik gained sympathy from viewers with his delicate emotional acting in this work and earned the nickname ‘Nation’s First Love’.
4. Choi Woo-shik’s future path
Choi Woo-shik is awaiting the release of the film ‘Wonderland’ and has finished filming the Netflix series ‘Murder DIEary’. He is expected to continue meeting fans through various works in the future.
