Choi Min-sik
Known for: Acting
Choi Min-sik (born May 30, 1962), is a South Korean actor. Known for his intense and transformative performances, he first gained recognition with the television series The Moon of Seoul (1994). His film breakthrough came with Shiri (1999), which established Choi as a leading actor. However, it was his role in Oldboy (2003) that cemented his status as one of South Korea's greatest actors. His performance was critically acclaimed and won him Best Actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards, the Blue Dragon Film Awards, and the Grand Bell Awards. Choi continued to star in high-profile films such as Lady Vengeance (2005), I Saw the Devil (2010), Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time (2012), New World (2013), and The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014), which became the highest-grossing film in South Korea. For his performance in the latter, Choi won the Grand Prize at the 51st Baeksang Arts Awards. In 2014, Choi came to prominence in Hollywood with his role in Lucy (2014). He was also listed as Gallup Korea's Film Actor of the Year. Following this, he remained active in Korean cinema with works such as Forbidden Dream (2019) and Exhuma (2024). Choi also made his return to television with Big Bet (2022), his first drama series in over two decades.
Filmography
Series
You Quiz on the Block
Self
2018
Series
Notes from the Last Row
Heo Mun-oh
2026
Film
Oldboy
Oh Dae-su
2003
Film
Lucy
Mr. Jang
2014
Series
Just an Excuse
Self
2022
Film
I Saw the Devil
Kyung-chul
2010
Film
Exhuma
Kim Sang-duk
2024
Film
Happy End
Seo Min-ki
1999
Series
Big Bet
Cha Mu-sik
2022
Film
Lady Vengeance
Mr. Baek
2005
Film
New World
Kang Hyung-chul
2013
Film
The Admiral: Roaring Currents
Admiral Yi Sun-Shin
2014
Film
The Tiger
Man-deok
2015
Film
Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War
North Korean Captain
2004
Series
Blue Dragon Series Awards
Self
2022
Series
The Moon of Seoul
Park Chun-seob
1994
Film
Nameless Gangster
Choi Ik-hyun
2012
Film
Shiri
Park Mu-young
1999
Series
The 4th Republic
Kim Dae-jung
1995
Film
Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen
(archive footage)
2012
Series
Sohn's Questions
Self
2024
Film
All That Falls Has Wings
Tae-sik
1990
Film
Leafie, a Hen Into the Wild
Wanderer (voice)
2011
Series
New Old Boy : Dir. Park
Self
2025
Series
Modern Korea
Self (archive footage)
2019
Film
The Quiet Family
Chang-goo
1998
Film
Chihwaseon
Jang Seung-up
2002
Film
The Intern
Kim Ki-ho
2026
Film
The Battle: Roar to Victory
Hong Beom-do
2019
Film
Forbidden Dream
Jang Yeong-sil
2019
Film
In Our Prime
Ri Hak-sung
2022
Film
Crying Fist
Gang Tae-shik
2005
Film
Kuro Arirang
Jin-seok
1989
Film
Failan
Kang-jae
2001
Film
Springtime
Hyeon-woo
2004
Film
Heart Blackened
Lim Tae-san
2017
Film
The Mayor
Byeon Jong-gu
2017
Film
Himalaya, Where the Wind Dwells
Choi
2009
Film
In My End Is My Beginning
Doctor (voice) (cameo)
2013
Film
Autobiography of Oldboy
2004
Film
Our Twisted Hero
Mr. Kim
1992
Film
No. 3
Ma Dong-pal
1997
Film
Heaven: To the Land of Happiness
203
2021
Film
Sara Is Guilty
1993
Film
Old Days
Self
2016
Film
Ari Ari the Korean Cinema
Self
2012
Film
May Our Love Stay This Way
Jun-hyeok
1992
Film
Mom, the Star, and the Sea Anemone
1995
Gyosan
On the Way to the Winter
Gi-dal
1989
Film
The Making of Lady Vengeance
2005
Vapor
1988