Choi Soo Jong
Encyclopedia
Choi Soo Jong is a South Korea
n actor. Choi made his debut in 1987 as a young actor in the TV soap opera ‘Love Tree’. He has appeared in movies, television and as an MC on various award shows. He has received worldwide recognition for his leading roles in several highly successful shows. Most recently he garnered acclaim for his portrayals of the principal characters in the Korean historical dramas Emperor of the Sea
in the role of Jang Bogo
, and as the title character Dae Joyoung in the epic series Dae Jo Yeong (TV series)
.
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. Choi tearfullly 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 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"."
, a Hwagyo. They have two children together: son Min-seo and daughter Yoon-seo. Choi Soo Jong and Ha Hee Ra's happy marriage is a 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 the 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.
Additionally, in December 2008, Choi was one of five celebrities appointed as a goodwill ambassador to the Korean capital Seoul.
As a member of the "Fabulous Five," Choi was chosen to publicize the international appeal of the city. In June 2009, Choi 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.
Nominated
South Korea
The Republic of Korea , , is a sovereign state in East Asia, located on the southern portion of the Korean Peninsula. It is neighbored by the People's Republic of China to the west, Japan to the east, North Korea to the north, and the East China Sea and Republic of China to the south...
n actor. Choi made his debut in 1987 as a young actor in the TV soap opera ‘Love Tree’. He has appeared in movies, television and as an MC on various award shows. He has received worldwide recognition for his leading roles in several highly successful shows. Most recently he garnered acclaim for his portrayals of the principal characters in the Korean historical dramas Emperor of the Sea
Emperor of the Sea
Mr =Akech JumaEmperor of the Sea is a 51 episode South Korean epic drama that aired in 2004 on KBS2.The show focuses on the life of famous historical figure, Jang Bogo , who was born a slave but rose to the highest ranks of Silla society...
in the role of Jang Bogo
Jang Bogo
Jang Bogo , also known as Gungbok, rose to prominence in Korea in the late Unified Silla period as a powerful maritime figure who for several decades effectively controlled the West Sea and Korean coast between southwestern Korea and China's Shandong peninsula...
, and as the title character Dae Joyoung in the epic series Dae Jo Yeong (TV series)
Dae Jo Yeong (TV series)
Dae Joyeong is a historical drama aired on KBS1.The Korean drama Dae Jo-yeong is about the life of Dae Jo-yeong, also known as the founder of the kingdom of Balhae.-Early:...
.
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. Choi tearfullly 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 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"."
Personal life
Choi is married to actress Ha Hee RaHa Hee-ra
Ha Hee-ra is a South Korean actress. Her father is a native and immigrant of China, while her mother is full Korean. Ha started her career as a child actor when she was in the sixth grade, and has appeared mainly in films for teenagers. She became a representative actress of the 1990s, along with...
, a Hwagyo. They have two children together: son Min-seo and daughter Yoon-seo. Choi Soo Jong and Ha Hee Ra's happy marriage is a 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 the 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 the massive oil spill in Korea in 2007. 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.
As a member of the "Fabulous Five," Choi was chosen to publicize the international appeal of the city. In June 2009, Choi 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.
Films
- A Man Who Can't Even Kiss (1994)
- A Woman Of Downstairs and A Man Of Upstairs (1992)
- Do You Like Rain Stopped Afternoon (1991)
- In A Starry Night (1991)
- To You Once Again (1991)
- Well, It's A Secret (1990)
- Il Ji Mae, The Superman (1990)
- A Young Punch (1988)
Television
- The President (KBS2, 2010)
- Legend of the PatriotsLegend of the PatriotsLegend of the Patriots is a remake of the 1975 South Korean drama Comrades. Its production was spawned to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Korean War The story centers around the lives of eleven Korean soldiers fighting in the Korean War...
(remake of Comrades)(KBS, 2010) - Hometown Legends -"The Curse of Sajin Sword" episode (KBS2, 2008)
- Dae Jo YeongDae Jo Yeong (TV series)Dae Joyeong is a historical drama aired on KBS1.The Korean drama Dae Jo-yeong is about the life of Dae Jo-yeong, also known as the founder of the kingdom of Balhae.-Early:...
(KBS, 2007) - Emperor of the SeaEmperor of the SeaMr =Akech JumaEmperor of the Sea is a 51 episode South Korean epic drama that aired in 2004 on KBS2.The show focuses on the life of famous historical figure, Jang Bogo , who was born a slave but rose to the highest ranks of Silla society...
(KBS, 2004) - War of the Roses (MBS, 2004)
- Choi Su Jong Show (2003)
- Above the Green Fields (alternate title- On the Prairie) (KBS, 2003)
- Man of the Sun (KBS2, 2002)
- Emperor Wang GuhnTaejo Wang Geon (TV series)Taejo Wang Geon was a 200-episode Korean drama starring Choi Soo Jong in the title role. It became very successful, reaching very high ratings, around 60%.-Facts:*Director: Kim Jong Sun*Writer: Lee Hwan Kyung...
(alternately- Taejo Wang Geon) (KBS, 2000) - When She Beckons
- First Love (KBS, 1996)
- Jealousy (MBC, 1992)
Awards and nominations
Won- Korean Drama Festival Awards: Outstanding Actor Award (2008 for Dae Jo Yeong)
- KBS Acting Awards: Highest Award 대상 (2007 for Dae Jo Yeong)
- KBS Acting Awards: Netizen Award 네티즌 상 (2007 for Dae Jo Yeong)
- KBS Acting Awards: Top Excellence in Acting 최우수상 (2005 for Emperor of the Sea)
- KBS Acting Awards: Special Award (2003)
- KBS Acting Awards: Popularity Award 인기상(2002)
- KBS Acting Awards: Highest Award 대상 (2001)
- Paeksang Arts AwardsPaekSang Arts AwardsPaekSang Arts Awards, also known as BaekSang Arts Awards, is an awards ceremony held annually by IS PLUS Corp, since 1965. It is to honour outstanding achievements in the South Korean entertainment industry and to garner public attention upon the best in Korean films and dramas...
: Top Excellence in Acting (1999) - 26th Korea Broadcasting Awards: Talent Award
- KBS Acting Awards: Highest Award 대상 (1998)
- KBS Acting Awards: Photogenic Award (1998)
- KBS Acting Awards: Top Excellence in Acting 최우수상 (1996)
- KBS Acting Awards: Popularity Award (1995)
- Paeksang Arts Awards: Popularity Award (1994)
- MBC Broadcasting Awards: Top Excellence in Acting (1993)
- MBC Broadcasting Awards: Top Excellence in Acting (1992)
- Paeksang Arts Awards: Popularity Award (1991)
- MBC Acting Awards: Excellence in Acting (1991)
- KBS Acting Awards: Popularity Award (1991)
- KBS Acting Awards: Popularity Award 인기상 (1990)
Nominated
- Seoul Drama Awards: Best Actor (2008 for Dae Jo Yeong)
- KBS Acting Awards: Top Excellence in Acting 최우수상 (2006 for Dae Jo Yeong)