Choi Woo-shik
A Canadian actor who became a beloved face of Korean cinema, stealing scenes in global sensations from zombie hordes to a wealthy basement.
Born 1990 (age 36)·Canadian actor·Birthday: March 26·Millennials
Biography
Choi Woo-shik's rise is a cross-cultural success story. Born in Seoul but raised in Vancouver, he returned to South Korea for university and an acting career, bringing a unique, gentle earnestness to his roles. His early work in indie films showcased a raw vulnerability, but it was his turn as a high school baseball player fighting for survival in 'Train to Busan' that introduced him to a worldwide audience. That global fame skyrocketed with Bong Joon-ho's 'Parasite,' where his portrayal of the naive, college-going Kim Ki-woo served as the audience's entry point into the film's sharp class satire. Rather than being typecast, Choi leveraged this fame to showcase his range, from the nostalgic romantic lead in 'Our Beloved Summer' to darker, more complex characters, proving his skill extends far beyond the innocent young man he first became known for.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Choi was born in 1990, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Choi Was Born
The biggest hits of 1990
#1 Movie
Home Alone
Best Picture
Dances with Wolves
#1 TV Show
Roseanne
Choi's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1990Born
Hubble Space Telescope launched; Germany reunifies
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $79,100Min wage: $3.80/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"Hold On" — Wilson PhillipsBest Picture: Dances with Wolves
1995Started school
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
2003Became a teenager
US invades Iraq; Human Genome Project completed
Gas: $1.59/galHome: $146,000Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"In Da Club" — 50 CentBest Picture: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2006Could drive
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2008Could vote
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2011Turned 21
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2020Turned 30
COVID-19 pandemic shuts down the world
Gas: $2.17/galHome: $248,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Blinding Lights" — The WeekndBest Picture: Nomadland
2026Age 36 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Played a pivotal role in 'Parasite,' the first non-English language film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture.
- Gained international recognition for his performance in the groundbreaking zombie film 'Train to Busan'.
- Headlined the popular romantic drama series 'Our Beloved Summer,' which topped streaming charts in multiple countries.
- Won the Best New Actor award at the Busan Film Critics Awards for his role in 'Set Me Free' (2014).
Did You Know?
He is fluent in both English and Korean.
Choi lived in Canada for ten years, from age 5 to 15.
He is close friends with several actors from the 'Parasite' cast, including Park Seo-joon and Park Hyung-sik, forming a friend group known as the 'Wooga Squad'.
“I want to be an actor who can show sincerity through my roles.”
