Latest news with #DoctorStranger


Hype Malaysia
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Veteran K-Drama Actor Choi Jung-woo Passes Away Aged 68
The Korean entertainment industry received sad news yesterday of the passing of veteran actor Choi Jung-woo (최정우), best known for his roles in 'The Childe', 'The Tyrant, 'Doctor Stranger', and 'The Tale of Lady Ok'. He reportedly died on the morning of Tuesday (27th May) at age 68. According to an official statement from his agency, Bless ENT, the cause of death has yet to be confirmed. However, Yonhap News Agency noted that the actor had been battling depression and panic disorder for quite some time. Choi Jung-woo began his acting career in 1975, making his debut in the play 'The Life of an Actor'. He went on to appear in numerous stage productions, with one of his most notable performances being in 'The Mousetrap' in 1983, in which he portrayed Detective Sergeant Trotter. The entertainer was not only a talented stage performer but also a skilled voice actor. He made his film debut in 1996, playing the role of the grandfather in 'Seven Reasons Why Beer Is Better Than a Lover'. Although he primarily played supporting roles in films and television series, he became well-known among fans of K-drama, having appeared in numerous productions. His final television appearance was in 'The Tale of Lady Ok', which concluded earlier this year in January. So far, there have been no reports regarding a second season of the popular series. As for possible posthumous releases, there is also currently no information on whether or not he had filmed another project prior to his death. Choi Jung-woo's funeral will be held at Gimpo Woori Hospital Funeral Home tomorrow (Thursday, 29th May), and the actor will be laid to rest at Suwon Yeonhwa Park. We offer our deepest condolences to his loved ones. May they have the strength to go through this challenging time. Sources: Soompi, MalayMail, TheStar


Mint
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
Who was Choi Jung Woo? K-drama actor know for roles in City Hunter, Legend of the Blue Sea, Doctor Stranger passes away
Popular South Korean actor Choi Jung Woo, who has appeared in several hit K-Dramas such as City Hunter, Doctor Stranger, and The Legend of the Blue Sea, passed away, as confirmed by multiple Korean outlets. As per Koreaboo, he was 68. Soompi quoted his agency, Bless ENT, confirming the loss of the veteran actor. A representative said, 'Actor Choi Jung Woo has passed away.' However, the cause of his death is yet to be disclosed. The agency speaker also added, "The exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed.' Born in 1957, Choi Jung Woo is best known for his supporting roles in several Korean shows. He made his debut in 1975 with the play titled, The Life of an Actor. He began his acting career in theatre and worked for companies like Shinsi. Besides stage acting, he was also a voice actor who showcased a wide range of talent. He starred in several K-Dramas, including God's Quiz, Two Cops, Public Enemy 2, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, The Chaser, Brilliant Legacy, Prosecutor Princess, Gumiho: Tale of the Fox's Child, Midas, My Daughter Seo Young, Master's Sun, Call It Love, Tyrant, Who Is She! and The Tale of Lady Ok. He rose to fame for starring in K-dramas like Lee Min Ho's City Hunter and The Legend Of The Blue Sea. He was also a part of So Ji Sub and Gong Hy Jin's Master's Sun and Lee Jong Suk-starrer Doctor Stranger. Meanwhile, Choi Jung Woo's funeral will take place at the Gimpo Woori Hospital Funeral Home. The procession is scheduled for 10 a.m. on May 29.


GMA Network
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
South Korean actor Choi Jung Woo passes away
South Korean actor Choi Jung Woo has passed away. He was 68 years old. Choi's death was announced by a representative from his agency, Bless ENT, on Tuesday, according to Soompi. The cause of his death has not been confirmed. Per the report, Choi's funeral will be held at the Gimpo Woori Hospital Funeral Home, with the procession scheduled on May 29, 10 a.m. Choi Jung Woo is an acclaimed screen, stage, and voice actor. He is known for his roles in 'City Hunter,' "The Tale of Lady Ok," 'Legend of the Blue Sea.' 'Doctor Stranger,' "Master's Sun," and 'Legend of the Blue Sea," among many others. —Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News


Tatler Asia
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Tatler Asia
Why K-dramas always look like dream holidays
Love in translation Above 'Doctor Stranger' (2014) took us around Budapest, Hungary. (Photo: IMDB) But it's not just for show. When characters leave Korea, something shifts. Emotional stakes rise. Time slows. Suddenly, every cobblestone street becomes a confessional. Abroad, our protagonists find themselves, sometimes literally. Whether it's Hyun Bin soul-searching in Switzerland or Kim Tae-ri riding a bike through 1990s Paris in Twenty-Five Twenty-One , international scenes often serve as narrative inflection points apart from pegs for dream holidays. K-dramas often use overseas settings as a narrative escape hatch, allowing characters to break free from the rigid structures of Korean society. In a foreign country, they can reinvent themselves, unburdened by family expectations, workplace hierarchies or nosy neighbours. It's a clean emotional slate, one that's as liberating for the characters as it is enchanting for viewers. Korea's cultural soft power Above 'Queen of Tears' (2024) made people's dream holidays revolve around Germany. (Photo: Netflix) There's also the not-so-secret diplomatic agenda. The Korean Wave—Hallyu—is no longer confined to music charts and Netflix queues. International shoots act as cinematic emissaries, exporting Korean stories through global landscapes. In some cases, it's a win-win: countries like the Philippines, Spain and Thailand benefit from the tourism bump, while K-dramas expand their cachet as sophisticated global entertainment. Filming abroad acts as a quiet flex. It's an assertion that Korean pop culture belongs on the global stage. It's not just K-dramas anymore; it's K-culture going cosmopolitan. See more: Korean drama travel inspiration: 14 popular filming sites to visit Fantasy, but relatable Above 'Memories of the Alhambra' (2018) was technically in some kind of simulated reality, but when it wasn't, it was set in Spain. (Photo: IMDB) There's also the matter of emotional resonance. In a K-drama, Paris isn't just Paris—it's a symbol of first love, loneliness or a kind of aspirational sadness best expressed under grey skies and oversized scarves. These places become emotional proxies, transforming architecture into feeling. Memories of the Alhambra , set largely in Spain, used its setting not just as a backdrop but as a metaphysical extension of its video-game-inspired plot. In The King: Eternal Monarch , the characters literally cross dimensions, which is fitting, considering the show filmed everywhere from Busan to Brandenburg. And for fans watching in São Paulo or Stockholm, these foreign settings make Korean content feel closer to home. The jet-set future Above 'Encounter' (2018) included Havana, Cuba, as one of its filming locations (Photo: IMDB) Of course, not every drama needs a plane ticket. But as K-content continues to dominate global screens, the trend is unlikely to slow. Overseas filming has become an emotional tool, a branding strategy and, occasionally, a plot device that justifies a random flashback in Vienna. So the next time a character is brooding on a bridge in Budapest or sharing a gelato in Florence, remember: it's not just about where they are. It's about who they're becoming, one passport stamp at a time. And if they influence your dream holidays, then that's a bonus. In the world of K-dramas, love doesn't just transcend class, time and logic—it transcends borders.