Actor Choi Dae-hoon Breaks Down Remembering Late Father: “I Promised Him a Car…”
On April 23, tvN’s “You Quiz on the Block” released Episode 290, featuring Choi Dae-hoon as the guest alongside Kang Ha-neul.
About Mr.Hak in “When Life Gives You Tangerines”
Choi Dae-hoon, who gained popularity for his role as “Mr. Hak” in Netflix’s When Life Gives You Tangerines, spoke candidly about his sudden fame. “People recognize me a lot more now. Some even call me ‘Hak-ssi’ as soon as they see me, even though we’ve never met before,” he said.
When asked if he’s feeling the popularity, he joked in his character’s iconic tone, “I love it. I really love it.” He also shared that even his 10-year-old daughter jokingly mimics his character when doing homework, saying, “Hak-ssi, what do you do?”
In a more reflective moment, Choi Dae-hoon spoke about his real-life personality, saying that despite his bold character on screen, he’s more like the affectionate “Gwan-sik” from the series when at home. He recounted how his wife once referred to him as “Gwan-sik” to her friend, revealing his sweet and supportive nature.
Struggles and Sacrifices Behind the Spotlight
Choi Dae-hoon then grew emotional when speaking about his parents. Reflecting on his long journey, Choi admitted he lived with his parents until he got married at age 36. “I asked my dad to wait 12 more years. I said by then I’d buy him the car he always wanted, but I couldn’t,” he said with visible regret.
He spoke emotionally about the hardships during his unknown years. “After my father collapsed, we were struggling with medical expenses. I once worked on a shoot but didn’t get paid. I drove 1,400 kilometers across the country and still got nothing. I even thought about taking their equipment out of spite.”
A Father’s Long Illness and Lasting Grief
Speaking of his father, who passed away three years ago after suffering a stroke and brain hemorrhage, Choi recalled, “I came home after filming and saw him sleeping on the floor. I covered him with a blanket. But the next morning, I realized I missed the golden hour. No matter how hard I slapped his cheeks, he wouldn’t wake up. I blamed myself.”
He added, “There were times I thought, ‘If this is how he has to live…’ I even prayed to my late grandmother, asking if she could take my dad. When he got COVID during the pandemic, I wasn’t even allowed in the hospital. That was the most painful part,” he said, shedding tears.
Choi Dae-hoon’s heartfelt appearance on You Quiz on the Block revealed a story of perseverance, family devotion, and emotional resilience. Behind the success of “Mr. Hak” is a man who has endured deep struggles, making his current recognition all the more meaningful.