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.
