There is a saying called ‘Famousness’(有名稅). It means that when you become too famous, you have to pay the inconveniences and hardships that come with it, like a ‘tax’. Actor Choo Young-woo (26), who is currently considered a hot trend, is also experiencing the so-called fame, which can be interpreted as the fate of a star.

He recently rose to stardom at lightning speed in just four years since his debut, as his lead roles in JTBC‘s ‘Madame Ok’s Story’ and Netflix‘s ‘Trauma Center’ became global hits. Afterwards, the fact that his father was a top model in the 1990s, Choo Seung-il, was revealed, and the public’s attention poured on him and his family.

Choo Young-woo said, “I‘m grateful, but I can’t quite believe this attention, so I‘m dumbfounded,” during an interview to commemorate the end of ‘Madame Ok’s Story’ held at a cafe in Gangnam-gu, Seoul on the 4th.

“I wonder why so many people like me. My father is happy, saying, ‘Thanks to you, I have a lot of promises.’ A lot has changed since my father was active, so rather than giving advice as a celebrity, he gives advice like, “Be nice to others,” which is so strong that it can’t be said enough times. “

Amid his overheated popularity, even his SNS follow list has come under scrutiny. Recently, there has been criticism among netizens that Choo Young-woo is following some controversial influencer accounts. He confessed, “This incident made me realize that I need to be careful with my every word and action as I receive so much love and attention.”

“Now, I always try to speak while being aware that my thoughts or intentions may not be conveyed as intended, and may be misunderstood if conveyed differently. I usually look at a lot of reels and shorts on SNS, but I really didn’t have any special intentions (regarding the SNS controversy). I apologize for any inconvenience caused by the controversy, and I will be more careful with everything in the future.”

Although it is true that I feel “intimidated” by the sudden popularity, Choo Young-woo said, “I love acting too much to overcome that burden, so I have no choice but to become a better actor and person in the future.” Lim Ji-yeon from ‘Madame Ok’s Story’ and Joo Ji-hoon from ‘Trauma Center’ have become good ‘teachers’ to Choo Young-woo.

“There is power in the words of my seniors, and I naturally follow them. Watching my seniors, I felt a lot that words come with a sense of responsibility. That’s why I also try to be responsible for my words in any situation, whether I’m asking for a favor or giving advice. I learned a lot.”

As he grows into a true ‘star of the home theater,’, he has already confirmed two next works. He is busy preparing for the dramas ‘Square’ and ‘The Fairy and the Cowherd.’.

“Until now, I have been lucky enough to digest unique materials such as historical dramas and medical dramas. In the future, I want to meet various personalities, ages, environments, and jobs. That is my own experience. Living many lives is also the unique charm of being an actor.”


Reporter Yoo Ji-hye yjh0304@donga.com

This article is automatically translated using Google AI. If you notice any inaccuracies, please let us know at allkstar@donga.com.