Veteran South Korean actor Choi Jung-woo has passed away at the age of 68. His agency, Bless ENT, confirmed the sad news on May 27, stating, “We received the news of his passing this morning. The exact cause of death is currently under investigation.”
Although previous reports suggested that Choi Jung-woo had been struggling with chronic illnesses and even suffered from Bell’s palsy last year, the agency refuted these claims. In a statement to OSEN, they clarified, “Reports that he had been suffering from chronic illnesses are not true. We don’t know why such reports surfaced.”
Choi Jung-woo is also said to have battled panic disorder and depression, though no official cause of death has been released as of now.
Born in 1957, Choi Jung-woo began his acting career in 1975 with the stage play The Life of an Actor and joined Tongyang Broadcasting as a voice actor in 1980. Over nearly five decades, he built a prolific career in theater, voice acting, film, and television. His screen credits include iconic roles in films such as Two Cops, Lady Vengeance, Secret Reunion, The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion, Unofficial Operation, and The Moon. He also appeared in hit dramas like Shining Inheritance, Deep Rooted Tree, God’s Quiz, Aide Season 2, Call It Love, Suspicious Partner, and The Tale of Lady Ok.
Choi Jung-woo continued acting up until recently and was widely praised for his charismatic performances, often portraying memorable villain roles. In 2023, he appeared on MBN’s talk show Dongchimi, where he candidly discussed his two divorces and spoke affectionately about his third wife, a Korean-Japanese woman 11 years his junior, calling her “the strongest wife.”
Choi Jung-woo’s passing has left the entertainment industry and his fans in mourning. His funeral parlor has been set up in Room 5 of the Gimpo Woori Hospital Funeral Home, with the funeral procession scheduled for 10 a.m. on May 29. He will be laid to rest at Suwon Yeonhwa Crematorium. His wife and brother-in-law have been named chief mourners.
