Latest news with #ChoiWoo-shik
South China Morning Post
02-03-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Parasite's Choi Woo-shik on Netflix's Melo Movie, looking young, his No 1 romantic film
Actor Choi Woo-shik recently shared his thoughts on acting and the challenges of his youthful image, revealing that he is ready for a new chapter in his career beyond the youthful roles that have defined him so far. Advertisement In an interview, Choi discussed his latest Netflix original series, Melo Movie . Directed by Oh Choong-hwan of Hotel Del Luna, and penned by Lee Na-eun, known for Our Beloved Summer , the romance drama portrays young adults experiencing love, dreams and personal trauma. The story follows characters in their thirties as they reconnect, offering heart-warming moments and relatable struggles. Choi plays Ko Gyeom, a self-proclaimed movie enthusiast who dreams of watching every film in existence. His passion leads him to become a bit-part actor before transitioning into a film critic. Since his debut in the 2011 drama The Duo, Choi has gained recognition for roles in Set Me Free, Train to Busan Parasite , The Witch, and the drama Our Beloved Summer.
Korea Herald
17-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Post-'Parasite,' Choi Woo-shik says he is evolving
Choi returns to romantic lead role in Netflix series 'Melo Movie' "Parasite" star Choi Woo-shik has returned to the small screen as a rare leading man in a romance series with Netflix's "Melo Movie" on Valentine's Day. In the series, Choi embodies an actor-turned-film critic who finds himself drawn to an aspiring director, portrayed by Park Bo-young. "Melo Movie" stands as one of the few projects in Choi's extensive filmography where he takes center stage in a purely romantic narrative. Reflecting on his career, Choi said he considers SBS' hit romance drama "Our Beloved Summer" (2021) as one of the only other major romance series in which he has starred, before his latest project. He joined "Melo Movie" because of its screenwriter, Lee Na-eun, who also wrote "Our Beloved Summer," Choi explained. " ... My fond memories of working with (Lee) naturally drew me to the script. The story is filled with warm emotions. It may not have the flashy, fireworks-exploding elements that are popular these days, but it's the kind of story I love most — one that's enjoyable because it portrays relationships filled with people and love," said Choi during a group interview in Samcheong-dong, Seoul. Regarding the inevitable comparisons to his previous romantic role, Choi admitted to feeling some pressure. "Since it's the same romance genre, there was definitely some pressure," he said. "However, while Choi Woong from 'Our Beloved Summer' was an introvert who was often mindful of others, Go Gyeom in 'Melo Movie' is a more straightforward, confidently devoted to one person without hesitation. I wanted to create a character that would naturally spark curiosity even in real life," he added. Delving into the well-worn trope of chance reunions, a crucial element in "Melo Movie," Choi said such cliche moments help hearts flutter. "Meeting someone by fate might be considered a cliche, but I thought about how happy I would be if I got to see someone I have feelings for four or five times by chance. It would feel like a truly joyful fantasy," he said. Coinciding with Choi's interview was the press screening of auteur Bong Joon-ho's highly anticipated film "Mickey 17," the director's first feature film since "Parasite." Choi revealed his close bond with the acclaimed director. "I get in touch with director Bong often. I'll be attending the VIP premiere of 'Mickey 17'," he shared. 'I'm really looking forward to it. I know how much effort the director has put into this project, so my expectations are high." Reflecting on his journey post-"Parasite," Choi offered a glimpse into his evolving mindset. "I still feel the same as I did working on 'Parasite.' There's still so much I need to improve and I have many shortcomings. But what's different now is that I've gained a bit more confidence. With each project I complete, I start to feel more assured, thinking, 'Maybe I can handle this much now.'" However, the actor admitted he still has some self-doubts and regrets. "I remember not being able to leave my seat even after the credits rolled because I kept thinking, 'I should've done better,' or 'I could've pushed a bit more in that scene.' I think, sometimes, having too much ambition can hold you back from doing well." Now, Choi says he finds himself trying to strike a balance between ambition and finding happiness as an actor. "Lately, I've been feeling more ambitious and I'm trying to let go of that. Right now, I'm figuring out how to set my mind at ease. I think I'm learning more about how to enjoy and find happiness in this work."
South China Morning Post
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Melo Movie, tender tale of youth with Choi Woo-shik, Park Bo-young
Published: 4:00pm, 14 Feb 2025 3.5/5 stars Lead cast: Choi Woo-shik, Park Bo-young, Lee Jun-young, Jeon So-nee Whether to see our dreams reflected back at us or to forget about our nightmares, movies are always there for us. Cinema has the power to move, inspire and shield us. It's not for nothing that it's often called an escape. Netflix's latest Korean offering takes this idea of cinema as escapism and applies it to a group of young Korean adults. Their dreams are subsumed into their daily and professional lives, giving them fuel to fire their passions and a way to mask complicated feelings that never truly go away. Melo Movie is the second series from the young writer Lee Na-eun, who debuted to some fanfare in the winter of 2021 with the fresh and tender youth romance Our Beloved Summer , with Choi Woo-shik and Kim Da-mi.
