Choi Min Sik
Info
🙂 Native Name: 최민식 (Choi Min Sik)
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Male
🎂 Born: January 22, 1962
🏠 Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Aquarius
📏 Height: 177 cm (5’10”)
💍 Spouse: Kim Hwal-ran (married in 1999), previously married to Lee Hwa-young (1990–1996)
👶 Children: No publicly known children
Biography
Choi Min Sik, born on January 22, 1962, in Seoul, South Korea, is one of South Korea’s most celebrated actors. He began his acting career in theater and gained early recognition in the late 1980s and early 1990s with television dramas like Sandglass (1995), which became a cultural sensation. Choi’s classical training and passion for acting propelled him into the film industry, where he quickly established himself as a talented and versatile performer.
Choi’s international breakthrough came with the 2003 film Oldboy, directed by Park Chan-wook. His portrayal of Oh Dae-su, a man imprisoned for 15 years and seeking revenge upon release, became iconic. The film won the Grand Prix at the Cannes Film Festival and is considered one of the most influential South Korean films ever made. Choi’s intense, emotionally charged performance earned him critical acclaim worldwide and solidified his status as one of South Korea’s leading actors.
Following Oldboy, Choi continued to take on complex and challenging roles. In I Saw the Devil (2010), he played a vicious serial killer, delivering a chilling and unforgettable performance. This film, along with his roles in The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014) — the highest-grossing film in Korean cinema history — and Nameless Gangster (2012), showcased his ability to portray morally ambiguous and deeply human characters. His ability to dive into such dark and emotionally taxing roles has made him a favorite among directors and audiences alike.
Despite his success, Choi has faced challenges, particularly during a hiatus from film in the mid-2000s when he protested South Korea’s reduction of the screen quota system that favored local films. He returned stronger than ever, continuing to make impactful contributions to Korean cinema. In recent years, Choi took on the lead role in the Disney+ series Big Bet (2022), where his portrayal of a casino mogul received widespread praise, further demonstrating his remarkable range and longevity as an actor.
Hobbies
- Photography: Choi Min Sik has a passion for photography, particularly landscapes. He enjoys capturing images during his travels and finds it a peaceful activity.
- Reading: A lover of literature, Choi often reads books on history and philosophy. He believes this helps him gain a deeper understanding of the characters he portrays.
- Traveling: Choi enjoys exploring new cultures and countries, using his experiences abroad to enrich his acting performances and widen his perspective.
- Golf: Like many Korean actors, Choi plays golf as a way to relax and stay active during his downtime.
- Watching Theater: Even as a film actor, Choi has a deep respect for the stage and regularly attends theater performances to stay connected to his roots in the performing arts.
Interests
- Method Acting: Choi is known for his dedication to method acting, immersing himself fully in his roles, no matter how physically or emotionally challenging.
- South Korean Cinema: Choi is a staunch supporter of the South Korean film industry and has participated in protests to protect local film markets from being overshadowed by Hollywood.
- Art Films: He often expresses a strong interest in art films and believes in the power of cinema to provoke thought and spark social change.
- Social Issues: Choi has been involved in various causes, from environmental issues to advocating for better conditions in the Korean film industry.
- Classical Music: He finds comfort and inspiration in listening to classical music, which helps him get into the mindset required for intense roles.
Facts
- Cannes Recognition: His performance in Oldboy won him international recognition after the film received the Grand Prix at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival.
- Highest-Grossing Film: Choi starred in The Admiral: Roaring Currents, which remains the highest-grossing film in South Korean history.
- Hollywood Role: Choi made his Hollywood debut in Lucy (2014), starring alongside Scarlett Johansson, where he played a sinister drug lord.
- Film Quota Protest: In the mid-2000s, he protested against the South Korean government’s decision to reduce the screen quota system, taking a brief hiatus from acting in protest.
- Awards: Choi has won numerous Best Actor awards, including prestigious honors at the Blue Dragon Film Awards and Baeksang Arts Awards.
Secrets
- Struggled with Rejection: Early in his career, Choi faced multiple rejections and struggled to find consistent acting work, which almost led him to quit acting altogether.
- Introverted Personality: Despite his intense and often larger-than-life roles, Choi is known to be quite introverted and prefers a private, low-key lifestyle.
- Physical Transformations: Choi is known for undergoing intense physical transformations for his roles, such as gaining weight for Nameless Gangster and losing weight for Oldboy.
- Avoids Media Attention: Choi keeps his personal life out of the spotlight and rarely gives interviews, preferring his work to speak for itself.
- Loyal to His Roots: Even after his international success, Choi remains deeply loyal to South Korean cinema and often turns down Hollywood offers in favor of local projects.
Funny Things
- Known for Pranks on Set: Despite his serious roles, Choi is known for being a jokester on set, often lightening the mood with pranks and jokes.
- “Method Eating”: While filming Oldboy, Choi famously ate a live octopus in a single take, which became an iconic scene. He joked that he had to “apologize” to the octopus.
- Fear of Acting Fading: During an interview, Choi humorously mentioned that every actor’s biggest fear is that one day people will stop watching their movies.
- Became a Villain for His Kids: Choi has said that his children think it’s “cool” when he plays the villain, and they’ve often jokingly requested more bad-guy roles from him.
- Surprise Reaction to Fame: Despite being a veteran actor, Choi has expressed surprise when young fans recognize him on the street, as he’s more used to people in their 30s and 40s being familiar with his work.
Fears
- Fear of Heights: Despite his powerful on-screen presence, Choi has a fear of heights, which he’s had to overcome during certain film shoots.
- Public Speaking Anxiety: Like many actors, Choi feels nervous during public speaking and award acceptance speeches, preferring to avoid the spotlight when off-camera.
- Losing Privacy: Choi is deeply protective of his personal life and fears that fame might erode the privacy he values with his family.
- Fear of Repetition: Choi has expressed fear of being typecast and is always on the lookout for roles that challenge him and push him beyond what he’s done before.
- Falling Short of Expectations: Despite his success, Choi still fears falling short of the high expectations that both fans and the industry have for his performances.
News
Choi Min Sik’s Return to TV in Big Bet (2023)
Choi Min Sik made his first return to television in 25 years with Big Bet, a Disney+ series where he plays Cha Moo-sik, a casino mogul entangled in crime and survival. The show garnered high viewership, marking a significant moment in Choi’s career.Choi Min Sik Wins Golden Bird Prize at the 2023 Seoul International Drama Awards
For his role in Big Bet, Choi Min Sik was honored with the Golden Bird Prize for Individual Performance at the 2023 Seoul International Drama Awards, recognizing his exceptional talent and contribution to the industry.Big Bet Season 2 Release (2023)
Following the success of the first season, Big Bet returned with a second season in February 2023, continuing the gripping tale of Cha Moo-sik. The second season expanded the tension between Cha and a detective investigating mysterious deaths.Choi Min Sik Featured in Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival 2023
Choi Min Sik was a featured guest at the 27th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, where a special retrospective honored his 34-year-long career in South Korean cinema.Choi Min Sik’s Upcoming Film Heaven: To the Land of Happiness (2024)
Choi is set to return to the big screen in 2024 with the film Heaven: To the Land of Happiness, directed by Im Sang-soo. The film is highly anticipated as it marks his comeback after Big Bet.
TV Drama
Movies
Music / OST
Choi Min Sik is primarily known for his acting career and has not pursued a formal music career. Unlike many actors in South Korea who often cross over into the music industry, Choi has remained focused on his work in film and television. Throughout his career, he has not released any albums, singles, or participated in any soundtracks as a singer.
However, Choi’s contributions to the South Korean entertainment industry, particularly through iconic films like Oldboy and I Saw the Devil, have made him an influential figure in the arts. His performances often include memorable scenes set to impactful music, but these do not involve Choi directly singing or performing music.
His work remains centered on acting, and as of now, there are no records or indications of Choi Min Sik embarking on a music career. His primary contributions continue to be within the realm of cinema, where he is regarded as one of the greatest South Korean actors.
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