Choi Soo-jong

Last updated
Choi Soo-jong
180912 KBS jumaldeurama 'hanabbunin naepyeon' jejagbalpyohoe coesujong (1).jpg
Choi in September 2018
Born (1962-12-18) December 18, 1962 (age 61)
Occupation Actor
Years active1987–present
Spouse
(m. 1993)
Children2
Korean name
Hangul
최수종
Revised Romanization Choe Su-jong
McCune–Reischauer Choi Su-chong

Choi Soo-jong (born December 18, 1962) is a South Korean actor. Choi made his debut in 1987 as a young actor in the TV soap opera Love Tree. He has appeared in movies, on television and as an MC for various award shows. He has received worldwide recognition for his leading roles in some of the highest-rated Korean dramas of all time, including Jealousy (1992), Sons and Daughters (1992–1993), Pilot (1993), Ambition (1994), Blowing of the Wind (1995–1996), First Love (1996–1997), Legend of Ambition (1998), Taejo Wang Geon (2000–2002), My Only One (2018–2019).

Contents

Most recently he garnered acclaim for his portrayals of the principal characters in the Korean historical dramas Emperor of the Sea (2004–2005) playing the role of Jang Bogo, and as the title character Dae Joyoung in the epic series Dae Jo-yeong (2006–2007).

Career

When reflecting on his more than twenty years as an actor, Choi said "To an actor, fame is short, but acting is long."

As a public figure and social activist, Choi Soo-jong has sought to project an image of integrity and wholesomeness. His fidelity to his wife and dedication to his role as father and husband are widely discussed in the media, although he strives to retain his family's privacy. Choi also openly discusses his commitment to clean living through regular exercise and healthy eating. Despite his advancing age, Choi continues to accept physically challenging roles that require horseback riding, combat and swordsmanship, and exposure to extreme temperatures. His youthful appearance and physical fitness allow Choi to play characters much younger than his actual age.

Despite Choi's image of integrity and health, in 2007 his career was briefly overshadowed by scandal. In a series of news stories, it was revealed that several high-profile Korean actors had falsified their academic credentials. Choi was among those whose educational background on his resume proved to be exaggerated and included untrue information. [1] [2] Choi tearfully apologized for misleading the public.

In 2010, Choi was cast in a lead role in Legend of the Patriots, a remake of the 1975 series Comrades. According to a press release from KBS, Choi found acting in a war drama even more challenging than the historical dramas he is known for. When asked why he chose to pursue the challenging genre of war drama, Choi stated "There is a problem though that the more I act, the more I become greedy for acting. What do I have to do from now on? Anyway, I want to remain as a good actor as I put more effort into managing myself"."

On January 3, 2022, Choi was appointed as the new president of the Korean Broadcasting Actors Association. [3]

Personal life

Choi is married to actress Ha Hee Ra, a Hwagyo. They have two children together: son Min-seo (1999) and daughter Yoon-seo (2000). Choi Soo-jong and Ha Hee Ra's happy marriage is well-known in Korea. When Ha was pregnant, Choi did the housework, cooked, and let her rest, a fact that has made Choi very popular with Korean women and jokingly scorned by Korean men. In a television interview in early 2010, Choi's wife Ha stated her husband is a better housekeeper than she is. Choi is frequently seen text messaging and making phone calls with his wife Ha Hee Ra while filming and was even documented doing so in the television special for Emperor of the Sea.

Choi has a reputation amongst co-stars as funny and bright. He is known as a jokester on the set that has earned him the title "NG Mawang" (NG Master). When he makes an NG (blooper), he attempts to make light of his error.

In his free time, Choi enjoys playing soccer on Sunday mornings. In 2008, Choi announced that he would also begin studying English in his spare time.

Social activities

When not filming, Choi and his wife also are involved with charitable projects both jointly and separately. They contribute regularly to charitable causes in addition to actively volunteering for causes such as disabled children and were actively involved in the cleaning up after the massive oil spill in Korea in 2007. [4] In the first half of 2009, Choi and Ha were selected to be the ambassadors for a worldwide campaign against tuberculosis. Also in 2009, Choi and Ha became goodwill ambassadors of the National Museum of Korea and sponsored a project to provide 50,000 Korean language guidebooks for visitors to the American Museum of Natural History in New York.

Additionally, in December 2008, Choi was one of five celebrities appointed as a goodwill ambassador to the Korean capital Seoul. [5] As a member of the "Fabulous Five," Choi was chosen to publicize the international appeal of the city. In June 2009, Choi Soo-jong and six other high-profile actors waived their fees to teach master acting classes at Im Kwon-taek Film and Art College of Dongseo University.

Filmography

Films

Television

Variety show

Hosting

YearTitleNotesRef.
2022opening ceremony 19th EBS International Documentary Film Festival (EIDF)with Park Kyung-lim [13]
2023Public Broadcasting 50th Anniversary Specialwith Kang Ho-Dong And Chae Shi-ra [14]

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult
1990 KBS Drama Awards Popularity AwardWon
199127th Baeksang Arts Awards Popularity Award in FilmWell, It's A SecretWon
MBC Drama Awards Excellence Award, ActorWon
KBS Drama Awards Popularity AwardWon
1992 MBC Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, ActorJealousyWon
1993 MBC Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, ActorSons and DaughtersWon
199430th Baeksang Arts Awards Popularity Award in TVPilotWon
1995 KBS Drama Awards Popularity AwardBlowing of the WindWon
Top Excellence Award, ActorNominated
1996 KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor First Love Won
199710th Grimae AwardsBest ActorWon
199825th Korea Broadcasting AwardsBest ActorLegendary AmbitionWon
KBS Drama Awards Photogenic AwardWon
Top Excellence Award, ActorNominated
Grand Prize/DaesangWon
199935th Baeksang Arts Awards Best Actor in TVWon
KBS Drama Awards Popularity AwardDid You Ever Love?Won
Top Excellence Award, ActorNominated
2001 KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Emperor Wang Gun Nominated
Grand Prize/DaesangWon
2002 KBS Drama Awards Popularity AwardMan of the Sun, Lee Je-maWon
Top Excellence Award, ActorNominated
2003 KBS Drama Awards Special AwardWon
2005 KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Emperor of the Sea Won
20061st Seoul International Drama Awards Best Actor [15] Nominated
KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Dae Jo-yeong Nominated
2007 KBS Drama Awards Netizen AwardWon
Top Excellence Award, ActorNominated
Grand Prize/DaesangWon
2008 2nd Korea Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, ActorWon
35th Korea Broadcasting Association AwardsBest ActorWon
KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a One-Act/Special/Short DramaHometown Legends - "The Curse of Sajin Sword"Nominated
2010 KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor Legend of the Patriots Nominated
2011 KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a One-Act/Special/Short DramaFor My SonWon
2012 KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama Dream of the Emperor Nominated
Top Excellence Award, ActorNominated
2013 KBS Drama Awards Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial DramaNominated
Top Excellence Award, ActorNominated
2014 Miss Supertalent Star AwardsExcellence Award, ActorKorean WaveWon
2018 KBS Drama Awards Top Excellence Award, Actor [16] My Only One Won
Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial DramaNominated
Best Couple (with Jin Kyung)Won
2019 12th Korea Drama Awards [17] Grand Prize (Daesang)Won
2021 19th KBS Entertainment Awards [18] Achievement Award Mr. House Husband 2Won
Excellence Award in Reality Category [19] Nominated
2023 KBS Drama Awards Grand Prize/Daesang [20] Korea–Khitan War Won
Top Excellence Award, Actor [21] Nominated
Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama [22] Nominated
Popularity Award, Actor [23] Nominated
Best Couple Award [20] Choi Soo-jong (with Kim Dong-jun)
Korea–Khitan War
Won

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References

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