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.
Born
January 22, 1962 (age 64)
Birthplace
Seoul, South Korea
Filmography
41 films, 10 shows


The Intern
2026 · 2h 13m
country: South Korea
A story about what happens when Seon-wu, the CEO of a fashion company who is more passionate than anyone when it comes to work, hires Ki-ho, who has a wealth of life experience, as a silver intern.


Exhuma
2024 · 2h 14m
country: South Korea
After tracing the origin of a disturbing supernatural affliction to a wealthy family's ancestral gravesite, a team of paranormal experts relocates the remains—and soon discovers what happens to those who dare to mess with the wrong grave.


In Our Prime
2022 · 1h 57m
country: South Korea
Ji-woo, an outcast at a prestigious private school, meets Hak-sung, the school janitor who is actually a mathematical genius who defected from North Korea.


Heaven: To the Land of Happiness
2021 · 1h 40m
country: South Korea
In order to find the last happiness of his life, inmate 203 escapes from prison. Nam-sik is poor and sick. These two men happen to meet and obtain a large amount of money. Nam-sik joins inmate 203's journey to find the last happiness.


Forbidden Dream
2019 · 2h 12m
country: South Korea
A true historical drama about King Sejong, the greatest ruler in Joseon history who sought to enhance national prosperity and military power through astronomy, and Jang Yeong-sil, the most remarkable scientist.


The Battle: Roar to Victory
2019 · 2h 15m
country: South Korea
Over a 4 day period, a fierce battle takes place between Korean independence militias and imperialist Japanese forces in Manchuria, China. The militia includes a master swordsman and an expert marksman.


Heart Blackened
2017 · 2h 5m
country: South Korea
A father goes all out to clear his daughter from any wrong doing in the murder of his fiancée. When all evidence points to her, he takes matters into to his own hands to save his daughter and outwit the judiciary system.


The Mayor
2017 · 2h 10m
country: South Korea
For the first time in Korean history, the mayor of Seoul attempts a third term in office, with his entire campaign team ready to soil their hands.


Old Days
2016 · 1h 50m
country: South Korea
Old Days is a documentary about Park Chan-wook's original masterpiece, Oldboy. It was created for Plain Archive's Blu-ray release and first screened at the Jeonju International Film Festival.


The Tiger
2015 · 2h 19m
country: South Korea
In 1925 Korea, Japanese rulers demand the last remaining tiger be killed. The tiger easily defeats his pursuers until a legendary hunter takes him on.


The Admiral: Roaring Currents
2014 · 2h 6m
country: South Korea
Admiral Yi Sun-sin faces a tough challenge when he is forced to defend his nation with just 13 battleships against 300 Japanese enemy ships in the Battle of Myeongryang.


Lucy
2014 · 1h 29m
country: France
A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic.


In My End Is My Beginning
2013 · 1h 27m
country: South Korea
When Jung-ha loses her husband in an accident, Naru, her husband's secret lover, comes to her. Naru begs Jung-ha that she will do anything if only she will let her stay at her house. Jung-ha denies her at first, but eventually their strange arrangement of living together begins.


New World
2013 · 2h 14m
country: South Korea
An undercover cop has his loyalties tested when the boss of the corporate gang he's spent years infiltrating dies.


Ari Ari the Korean Cinema
2012 · 1h 23m
country: South Korea
Director Chung Ji-Young criticizes the thought that older directors have difficulties in making certain movies. Actress Yoon Jin-Seo agonizes over her identity as an actress. In 2009, before the movie "Unbowed" was made, they met and planned a documentary about Korean movies, including the processes a Korean movie goes through and difficulites. "Ari Ari the Korean Cinema" is a documentary with interviews of Korean directors, actors and actresses.


Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen
2012 · 1h 24m
country: Hungary
A film where anything can happen - the hero and the heroine changes their faces, age, look, names, and so on. The only same thing: The love between man and woman... in an archetypical love story cut from 500 classics from all around the world.


Nameless Gangster
2012 · 2h 13m
country: South Korea
Ik-hyeon, a corrupt officer, joins forces with another crook, Hyung-bae, to continue his illegal activities before he loses his job. Eventually, he decides to escape and pin the blame on his partner.


Leafie, a Hen Into the Wild
2011 · 1h 33m
country: South Korea
Based on a bestselling preteen novel of the same title that has sold more than 1 million copies in Korea, “Leafie, A Hen into the Wild” is about a laying hen named Leafie who is destined to live the “same old” repetitive life confined on the chicken farm. Her fate changes when she escapes from the chicken farm and hatches a duck egg. With the duckling (who believes Leafie to be his mother), sets off on a journey into the wild with her new son to find her freedom.


I Saw the Devil
2010 · 2h 24m
country: South Korea
Kyung-chul is a dangerous psychopath who kills for pleasure. Soo-hyeon, a top-secret agent, decides to track down the murderer himself. He promises himself that he will do everything in his power to take vengeance against the killer, even if it means that he must become a monster himself.


Himalaya, Where the Wind Dwells
2009 · 1h 35m
country: South Korea
A Korean executive ventures into the Himalayas in order to deliver the remains of a Nepalese migrant worker to his family.


The Making of Lady Vengeance
2005 · 11m
country: Unknown
An EPK that offers a brief look at the making of the film that is busy with behind-the-scenes footage, including some amusingly light-heated moments such as Choi Min-sik fluffing his lines and crew members with bananas stuffed in their mouths to stop them laughing. A cheerless voice-over passes up no opportunity to compliment the fortitude, bravery and skill of the cast and crew.


Lady Vengeance
2005 · 1h 55m
country: South Korea
Released after being wrongfully convicted and imprisoned for 13 years, a woman begins executing her elaborate plan of retribution.


Crying Fist
2005 · 2h 1m
country: South Korea
Tae-sik, a troubled middle aged man and Sang-hwan, a troubled youth will meet in the ring with their respective mission. To change their life.


Autobiography of Oldboy
2004 · 3h 30m
country: Unknown
3 and a half hour making of documentary on Oldboy, covering nearly every scene


Springtime
2004 · 2h 8m
country: South Korea
A struggling musician takes a job teaching music to middle school children in a rural mining town.


Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War
2004 · 2h 28m
country: South Korea
When two brothers are forced to fight in the Korean War, the elder decides to take the riskiest missions if it will help shield the younger from battle.


Oldboy
2003 · 2h
country: South Korea
With no clue how he came to be imprisoned, drugged and tortured for 15 years, a desperate man seeks revenge on his captors.


Chihwaseon
2002 · 2h
country: South Korea
Jang Seung-eop, also known as "Chihwaseon," drinks and paints all day. Through Mae-hyang, he learns the meaning of fate, sees art beyond even the smallest things, and sets out for the path he seeks.


Failan
2001 · 1h 55m
country: South Korea
After losing both her parents, Failan emmigrates to Korea to seek her only remaining relatives. Once she reaches Korea, she finds out that her relatives have moved to Canada well over a year ago. Desperate to stay and make a living in Korea, Failan is forced to have an arranged marriage through a match-making agency.


Happy End
1999 · 1h 40m
country: South Korea
When a wife becomes the breadwinner of her family after her husband loses his job, adultery becomes part of her life.


Shiri
1999 · 2h 5m
country: South Korea
North Korea's 8th Special Forces hijack a shipment of CTX, a potent new liquid explosive, and threatens South Korea as part of a plot to re-unify the two countries. Ryu and Lee, special agents of O.P., South Korea's secret intelligence service, attempt to track down the terrorists and find the CTX. Meanwhile Hee, the 8th's ultra-bad female sniper, resurfaces to wreak havoc and haunt Ryu.


The Quiet Family
1998 · 1h 41m
country: South Korea
A family decides to buy a lodge in a remote hiking area. Their first customer commits suicide and the distraught family buries his body to avoid the bad publicity. But their luck gets worse, the bodies start piling up, and the family becomes frantic to rectify the situation.


No. 3
1997 · 1h 48m
country: South Korea
Tae-joo manages to rise in rank in a gang for saving the boss's life. However, prosecutor Dong-pal appears in front of him as his sworn enemy. Meanwhile, Jo-pil wants to get rid of Tae-joo's gang, training for revenge. The three men's goals intertwine.


Mom, the Star, and the Sea Anemone
1995 · 1h 53m
country: Unknown


Sara Is Guilty
1993 · 1h 40m
country: South Korea
Sara seduces her college roommate's boyfriend which results in her friend's death after the incident is exposed. Sara tries to break off the relationship but the man stalks her and kills her next lover in a jealous rage. Deciding they deserve each other and vowing undying love, they opt for a double suicide


May Our Love Stay This Way
1992 · 1h 35m
country: South Korea


Our Twisted Hero
1992 · 1h 59m
country: South Korea
Han Byung-tae, who teaches at a private after-school academy in Seoul, receives word that his old teacher has passed away and sets off to the rural village where he attended elementary school. In the train, he reminisces about the tough fights he used to get into back in the day.


All That Falls Has Wings
1990 · 2h 2m
country: South Korea
This youth melodrama tells the story of a law student from a small village in Korea, and the irresponsible girl with whom he falls in love. The girl leads a reckless life, working in bars in Itaewon, and in the U.S., while the law student follows her. Their relationship ends in tragedy with the man shooting the woman, and her confessing her true love before dying.


Kuro Arirang
1989 · 1h 47m
country: South Korea
The film depicts the story of four people working in a sewing factory in Guro Industrial Complex in Seoul and the problems they face.
On the Way to the Winter
On the Way to the Winter
1989 · 23m
country: South Korea
Gi-dal is preparing a new school play. His bossy professor sends him on errands and makes him prepare materials. On Christmas Eve, when he is supposed to meet his girlfriend, his professor, who is running late on a deadline, asks to copy his article.
Vapor
Vapor
1988 · 21m
country: South Korea
A typical couple like any else. No special events worth reminiscing. No intense fights. But, to them, these are special memories and an important part of who they are.