Actor Choi Jung-woo has died at the age of 68. The sudden news of the actor, who quietly walked his own path while carrying the weight of life and unspoken wounds over the years, has left the public in shock and sorrow.

His agency, Bless Entertainment, revealed on the 27th, "Actor Choi Jung-woo has passed away. The exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed, but I understand he had been suffering from chronic illnesses."

Choi Jung-woo, born in 1957, debuted in 1975 with the play "The Life of an Actor" and has walked the path of acting for nearly half a century. In 1980, he also worked as a voice actor for Tongyang Broadcasting, honing his skills in voice acting, and later made a mark as a representative of "Korean middle-aged actors" with his heavy presence in numerous dramas and films.

On the screen, he portrayed charismatic professional characters such as a conglomerate chairman, prosecutor, and National Intelligence Service executive in films like "Two Cops," "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance," "Public Enemy Returns 2," "Brothers," "Operation Diplomat," and "The Moon." In dramas like "Brilliant Legacy," "Deep-rooted Tree," "The Adviser Season 2," and "Call It Love," he left a strong impression as a "scene-stealer," commanding the screen with just his presence, regardless of his role's significance.

However, behind his glamorous filmography were unspeakable wounds and a tumultuous life. In 2023, Choi Jung-woo appeared on MBN's variety show "Dolgichi" and candidly confessed about his tough life, including three marriages and divorces. He recounted his first divorce by saying, "I rushed into a marriage I didn't want in my 30s," and recalled his second divorce, stating, "I separated when my wife said, 'You got sick because of me,' after I was diagnosed with diabetes."

His third wife was a 11-year younger Korean national of Japanese descent. He said that he had "nagging, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anger management issues, and ADHD," while also portraying her as someone who brought laughter by calling him "inspiration" when he was angry, highlighting his refusal to ultimately give up on family.

Choi Jung-woo did not let go of his passion for acting until the end. In his recent work "Call It Love," he demonstrated his seasoned skills with calm and impressive performances once again. Silently and steadfastly, he acted out his life more passionately than anyone else. Although he has now stepped back from the stage of life, his acting and life will remain in the public's memory for a long time. "Now that you have laid down your burdensome life, may you rest in peace," many are mourning.

Meanwhile, the funeral home is located at Gimpo U-ryong Hospital funeral hall, Room 5, with the funeral scheduled for 10 a.m. on the 29th, and the burial site is Suwon Yeonhwa Crematory.

[OSEN]