Before “Parasite”: Actor Choi Woo-Shik

By Jae-Ha Kim
Kocowa.com
March 18, 2020

Choi Woo-Shik almost missed the biggest night of his career. The popular actor, 29, was already in production for his next movie, “Past Lives,” when it was announced that “Parasite” had been nominated for four Academy Awards. But, because of his tight schedule, it didn’t appear he would be able to attend the ceremony in Los Angeles.

Luckily, somebody high up in the food chain made it possible to free up a bit of time for him to attend with director Bong Joon-Ho and the rest of the cast.

It’ll be a while before “Past Lives” hits the movie theatres. In the meantime, let’s take a little time to get to know the talented actor better.

Birthday: March 26, 1990.

Upbringing: Choi is bilingual in English and Korean, having lived in Canada for a decade, starting in fifth grade. While in this junior year of school at Simon Fraser University, Choi made the bold move to return to Korea to launch his acting career in 2011.

His Start: Choi’s first role was playing the younger version of Lee Sang-Yoon in the 2011 MBC series, “The Duo.”

Accolades: “Set Me Free“: Actor of the Year (Busan International Film Festival);  Best New Actor (Busan Film Critics Awards; Wildflower Film Awards; Korean Assocation of Film Critics Awards; Blue Dragon Film Awards. “Parasite“: Best Actor (Buil Film Awards); Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (Screen Actors Guild Awards). The film also won four Academy Awards this year (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best International Language Feature Film).

His “Parasite” Role: Kim Ki-Woo, the street smart son of a poor family. He had the good looks and mannerisms to fool the rich Park family into thinking he was a well-educated student from a “proper” family. In other words, he was a suitable tutor for their high school daughter.

Best Friends: Choi’s friendship with Park Seo-Joon (who had a pivotal cameo in  “Parasite“) is well documented. And, of course, BTS fans know of his friendship with Kim Tae-Hyung. The trio — along with actor Park Hyung-Sik and musician Peakboy — make up the enviable Wooga group of celebrity friends.

“A Glass of Soju“: If you stayed until the end of “Parasite,” you got to hear Choi sing “A Glass of Soju.” Bong Joon-Ho wrote it specifically for the actor to perform. It had been shortlisted for an Oscar nomination, but ultimately wasn’t selected. Darn. Could’ve been another Academy Award!

K-dramas: Besides roles in blockbuster films such as “Parasite,” “Train to Busan” and “Okja” (also directed by Bong Joon-Ho), Choi appeared in numerous K-Dramas. He had supporting roles in “Rooftop Prince,” “Who Are You” and “Fight for My Way.” In the latter, he played a callous jerk, whose true self was hidden behind a meek demeanor. When Park Seo-Joon’s character wanted to punch him, I wanted to smack him, too! Choi’s breakthrough K-drama role came in 2014’s “Fated to Love You,” where he played the manipulative half brother of the male lead (Jang Hyuk). He followed that up with his debut as a series leading man role in 2015’s “Fool’s Love.”

So what do you think? What’s your favorite Choi Woo-Shik role? And what kind of work would you like to see him do in the future?