Actor Choi Jung-woo has passed away at the age of 68. Following the sudden news, the public is focusing on his 50-year acting career and the personal life that had been shrouded in secrecy.
The late Choi Jung-woo, born in 1957, debuted in 1975 with the play 'The Life of an Actor' and has been a veteran actor with nearly half a century of commitment to performance. He also worked as a voice actor for Tongyang Broadcasting in the 1980s, broadening his acting spectrum, and has left a significant presence across both screen and television.
He solidified his status as a 'scene-stealer' by portraying intense characters such as a chaebol chairman, a prosecutor, and a National Intelligence Service executive in films like 'Two Cops,' 'Indian Summer,' 'Public Enemy Returns,' 'Sympathy for Lady Vengeance,' 'The Brothers,' 'The Witch,' 'The Unofficial Mission,' and 'The Moon.' In dramas such as 'City Hunter,' 'Brilliant Legacy,' 'The Flower in Prison,' 'I Have a Lover,' 'My Daughter, Seo-young,' 'Midnight Hospital,' 'Legend of the Blue Sea,' 'My Five Children,' 'God's Quiz,' 'Deep Rooted Tree,' 'Doctor Stranger,' 'Adviser Season 2,' and 'I Call It Love,' he left a lasting impression on viewers with his overwhelming presence regardless of screen time.
His dignified appearance and solid acting ability were the core elements that earned him the title 'Icon of Middle-Aged Korean Men.' He was recognized as an irreplaceable actor, serving as a central figure with his serious yet relatable characters in each work.
His life outside of acting also drew attention through a variety show. Appearing on MBN's 'Talking Show Dongchimi' in 2023, he revealed, 'I have only officially registered my marriage three times,' sharing his tumultuous marital history. He married for the first time in his 30s but divorced, and later remarried in his 50s, stating he again faced divorce after caring for his ailing wife. Finally, he mentioned his third marriage to a 11-year-younger woman of Korean descent, candidly confessing, 'There were nagging, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and ADHD,' drawing laughter.
Choi Jung-woo's relatable side, rarely seen on variety shows, left a deeper impression on the public.
His agency, Bless ENT, announced on the 27th that 'actor Choi Jung-woo has passed away,' adding that 'the specific cause of death has not been revealed.'
The late actor's mortuary is located in Room 5 of Gimpo Woori Hospital, with the funeral service scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 29th, and the burial site will be Suwon Yeonhwa Crematorium.
'Korea's Middle-Aged Face', Choi Jung-woo, who ruled an era, is expected to remain long in the memories of many due to his deep acting and warm sincerity.
[Photo] OSEN DB, broadcast capture
[OSEN]