Choi Soo-jong

In this Korean name, the family name is Choi .

Choi Soo-jong
Choi in September 2018
Born	(1962-12-18) December 18, 1962 (age 61) Seoul, South Korea
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1987–present
Spouse	Ha Hee-ra ​ (m. 1993)​
Children	2
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).

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

• Obedience (documentary, 2016)
• Iron Bag, Mr. Woo-soo (2012)
• The Man Who Cannot Kiss (1994)
• Man Upstairs, Woman Downstairs (1992)
• The Night Full of Stars (1991)
• Do You Like the Afternoon After the Rain? (1991)
• To You Again (1991)
• You Know What, It's A Secret (1990)
• Superman Yiljimae (1990)
• Puppy Love (1988)
• A Young Punch (1988)

Television

• Korea–Khitan War as Gang Gam-chan (KBS2, 2023) ^[6]
• Record of Youth (Cameo) (tvN,2020) ^[7]
• My Only One (KBS2, 2018) ^[8]
• Japanese Invasion of Korea 1592 (2016)
• Into the Flames (TV Chosun, 2014)
• You Are the Boss! (MBC, 2013) (cameo)
• Dream of the Emperor (KBS1, 2012)
• Drama Special: For Her Son (KBS2, 2011)
• The President (KBS2, 2010)
• Legend of the Patriots (KBS1, 2010)
• Korean Ghost Stories: Curse of the Sajin Sword (KBS2, 2008)
• Dae Jo-yeong (KBS1, 2006)
• Emperor of the Sea (KBS2, 2004)
• War of the Roses (MBC, 2004)
• On the Prairie (KBS2, 2003)
• Man of the Sun, Lee Je-ma (KBS2, 2002)
• Taejo Wang Geon (KBS1, 2000)
• Did You Ever Love? (KBS2, 1999)
• People's House (KBS1, 1999)
• Beautiful Secret (KBS2, 1999)
• Legend of Ambition (KBS2, 1998)
• When She Beckons (KBS2, 1997)
• Fireworks (MBC, 1997)
• Three Guys and Three Girls (MBC, 1997) (cameo)
• First Love (KBS2, 1996)
• Blowing of the Wind (KBS2, 1995)
• Last Lovers (MBC, 1994)
• Rival of History (KBS1, 1994)
• Ambition (MBC, 1994)
• Pilot (MBC, 1993)
• Hot River (MBC, 1993)
• Drama Game (KBS2 1993)
• Best Theater (MBC, 1993)
• Bong Yi-jeon (KBS2, 1993)
• Sons and Daughters (MBC, 1992-1993)
• Chunwon Yi Kwang-su (MBC, 1992)
• Jealousy (MBC, 1992)
• City People (MBC, 1992)
• The Family (KBS2, 1991-1992)
• Happiness Dictionary (MBC, 1991)
• Chunsa Na Woon-gyu (MBC, 1991)
• Seoul Earthenware Pot (KBS1, 1990)
• Daewongun (MBC, 1990)
• Love's Open Every Hour (MBC, 1990)
• Love Rains Clouds (MBC, 1989)
• Sir (MBC, 1989)
• Principal Investigator (MBC, 1989)
• The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong (MBC, 1988-1989)
• Queen Inhyeon (MBC, 1988)
• Love Tree (KBS, 1987-1990)

Variety show

• You'll Know when You Leave (2023; New Year's specials) with Do Kyung-wan ^[9]
• Second House (2022–2023; Season 1–2) with Ha Hee-ra ^[10]
• This is Wild 3 (2022) ^[11]
• Melodies of Korea  [ ko ] (2020)
• Friendly Variety Show  [ ko ] (January 2020–May 2020) ^[12]
• Choi Soo-jong Show (2003)

Hosting

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

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Result
1990	KBS Drama Awards	Popularity Award		Won
1991	27th Baeksang Arts Awards	Popularity Award in Film	Well, It's A Secret	Won
	MBC Drama Awards	Excellence Award, Actor		Won
	KBS Drama Awards	Popularity Award		Won
1992	MBC Drama Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actor	Jealousy	Won
1993	MBC Drama Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actor	Sons and Daughters	Won
1994	30th Baeksang Arts Awards	Popularity Award in TV	Pilot	Won
1995	KBS Drama Awards	Popularity Award	Blowing of the Wind	Won
		Top Excellence Award, Actor		Nominated
1996	KBS Drama Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actor	First Love	Won
1997	10th Grimae Awards	Best Actor		Won
1998	25th Korea Broadcasting Awards	Best Actor	Legendary Ambition	Won
	KBS Drama Awards	Photogenic Award		Won
		Top Excellence Award, Actor		Nominated
		Grand Prize/Daesang		Won
1999	35th Baeksang Arts Awards	Best Actor in TV		Won
	KBS Drama Awards	Popularity Award	Did You Ever Love?	Won
		Top Excellence Award, Actor		Nominated
2001	KBS Drama Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actor	Emperor Wang Gun	Nominated
		Grand Prize/Daesang		Won
2002	KBS Drama Awards	Popularity Award	Man of the Sun, Lee Je-ma	Won
		Top Excellence Award, Actor		Nominated
2003	KBS Drama Awards	Special Award		Won
2005	KBS Drama Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actor	Emperor of the Sea	Won
2006	1st Seoul International Drama Awards	Best Actor [15]		Nominated
	KBS Drama Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actor	Dae Jo-yeong	Nominated
2007	KBS Drama Awards	Netizen Award		Won
		Top Excellence Award, Actor		Nominated
		Grand Prize/Daesang		Won
2008	2nd Korea Drama Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actor		Won
	35th Korea Broadcasting Association Awards	Best Actor		Won
	KBS Drama Awards	Excellence Award, Actor in a One-Act/Special/Short Drama	Hometown 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 Drama	For My Son	Won
2012	KBS Drama Awards	Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama	Dream of the Emperor	Nominated
		Top Excellence Award, Actor		Nominated
2013	KBS Drama Awards	Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama		Nominated
		Top Excellence Award, Actor		Nominated
2014	Miss Supertalent Star Awards	Excellence Award, Actor	Korean Wave	Won
2018	KBS Drama Awards	Top Excellence Award, Actor [16]	My Only One	Won
		Excellence Award, Actor in a Serial Drama		Nominated
		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 2	Won
		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

References

1. "Actor Choi Su-jong Falsifies Education". The Korea Times . Archived from the original on 21 May 2011. Retrieved 17 January 2022.
2. "Film 'D-War Tops Internet News". The Korea Times. 2007-08-26. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
3. Il Hong-kang (January 5, 2022). "[인터뷰] 최수종, 연기자협회 신임 이사장 "연기자 인력풀 활성화" [[Interview] Soo-Jong Choi, new president of the Actors Association "Activating the talent pool for actors"] (in Korean). The Fact. Archived from the original on January 5, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2022– via Naver.
4. Archived January 30, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
5. "Fabulous Five to Promote Seoul". The Korea Times. 2008-12-03. Archived from the original on 2012-08-20. Retrieved 2013-08-02.
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11. Kang Ae-ran (May 2, 2022). "EBS, 생태 다큐시리즈 '이것이 야생이다3' 내달 첫선…최수종 MC" [EBS, ecological documentary series 'This is Wild 3' premieres next month... Choi Soo-jong MC] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on May 2, 2022. Retrieved May 2, 2022– via Naver.
12. "[SC현장] "'1박2일'과 달라"..최수종→브루노 '친한예능', 2.5% 넘길까 (종합)". Sports Chosun (in Korean). 2020-01-07. Archived from the original on 2021-04-21. Retrieved 2020-01-07.
13. Kang Ae-ran (August 11, 2022). "[방송소식] 최수종·박경림, EBS국제다큐영화제 개막식 사회" [[Broadcasting News] Choi Soo-jong and Park Kyung-rim, EBS International Documentary Film Festival Opening Ceremony Moderator] (in Korean). Yonhap News Agency. Archived from the original on August 11, 2022. Retrieved August 11, 2022– via Naver.
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16. Woo, Bin (January 1, 2019). [2018 KBS 연기대상] 유동근 대상 "장미희 덕분인데 내가 왜..대하드라마 부활 기원" [[2018 KBS Drama Awards] Donggeun Lee Grand Prize "Why am I ... thanks to Jang Mi-hee.]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 1, 2019. Retrieved January 1, 2019– via Naver.
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19. Lee Seung-rok (December 26, 2021). "오윤아·장민호, 우수상 리얼리티 부문 수상 영광 [KBS연예대상]" [Yoona Oh and Minho Jang, Received Excellence Award in Reality Category [KBS Entertainment Awards]] (in Korean). My Daily. Archived from the original on November 11, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2021– via Naver.
20. Kim, Na-yul (January 1, 2024). [2023 KBS 연기대상]최수종, 16년만 4번째 대상에 오열.."당연한 건 없었다"(종합) [[2023 KBS Drama Awards] Choi Soo-jong wins the Grand Prize for the 4th time in 16 years.."Nothing was taken for granted" (Comprehensive)] (in Korean). Herald Pop. Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024– via Naver.
21. Kim Min-seo (January 1, 2024). "[KBS 연기대상] 최우수상 로운 "흐린 눈으로 지켜봐 주길"·김동준 "최수종에 감사"" [[KBS Drama Awards] Grand Acting Prize Rowoon “Please watch with blurry eyes” · Kim Dong-jun “Thank you to Choi Soo-jong”]. MediaPen (in Korean). Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. Retrieved January 1, 2024.
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External links

• Official website
• Choi Soo-jong at HanCinema
• Choi Soo-jong at IMDb