Acting · Seoul, South Korea · Born January 22, 1962
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.
TVNotes from the Last Row
2026
as Heo Mun-oh
TVNew Old Boy : Dir. Park
2025
as Self
TVSohn's Questions
2024
as Self
MovieExhuma
2024
as Kim Sang-duk
TVBig Bet
2022
as Cha Mu-sik
TVBlue Dragon Series Awards
2022
as Self
MovieIn Our Prime
2022
as Ri Hak-sung
MovieHeaven: To the Land of Happiness
2021
as 203
MovieForbidden Dream
2019
as Jang Yeong-sil
TVModern Korea
2019
as Self (archive footage)
MovieThe Battle: Roar to Victory
2019
as Hong Beom-do
TVYou Quiz on the Block
2018
as Self
MovieHeart Blackened
2017
as Lim Tae-san
MovieThe Mayor
2017
as Byeon Jong-gu
MovieOld Days
2016
as Self
MovieThe Tiger
2015
as Man-deok
MovieThe Admiral: Roaring Currents
2014
as Admiral Yi Sun-Shin
MovieLucy
2014
as Mr. Jang
MovieIn My End Is My Beginning
2013
as Doctor (voice) (cameo)
MovieNew World
2013
as Kang Hyung-chul
MovieAri Ari the Korean Cinema
2012
as Self
MovieFinal Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen
2012
as (archive footage)
MovieNameless Gangster
2012
as Choi Ik-hyun
MovieLeafie, a Hen Into the Wild
2011
as Wanderer (voice)
MovieI Saw the Devil
2010
as Kyung-chul
MovieHimalaya, Where the Wind Dwells
2009
as Choi
MovieThe Making of Lady Vengeance
2005
MovieLady Vengeance
2005
as Mr. Baek
MovieCrying Fist
2005
as Gang Tae-shik
MovieAutobiography of Oldboy
2004
MovieSpringtime
2004
as Hyeon-woo
MovieTae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War
2004
as North Korean Captain
MovieOldboy
2003
as Oh Dae-su
MovieChihwaseon
2002
as Jang Seung-up
MovieFailan
2001
as Kang-jae
MovieHappy End
1999
as Seo Min-ki
MovieShiri
1999
as Park Mu-young
MovieThe Quiet Family
1998
as Chang-goo
MovieNo. 3
1997
as Ma Dong-pal
TVThe 4th Republic
1995
as Kim Dae-jung
MovieMom, the Star, and the Sea Anemone
1995
TVThe Moon of Seoul
1994
as Park Chun-seob
MovieSara Is Guilty
1993
MovieMay Our Love Stay This Way
1992
as Jun-hyeok
MovieOur Twisted Hero
1992
as Mr. Kim
MovieAll That Falls Has Wings
1990
as Tae-sik
MovieKuro Arirang
1989
as Jin-seok
On the Way to the Winter
1989
as Gi-dal
Vapor
1988
The Intern
as Ki-ho
Gyosan
