Veteran actor Choi Min-sik has expressed his admiration for his younger co-star, Choe Hyun-wook, who plays a pivotal role in the recently released Netflix series The Atypical Family. Choi Min-sik, who portrays the complex character of Huh Woo-jin, a literature professor and failed writer, shared his surprise and respect for the 40-years-younger actor’s performance.
A Meeting of Generations in ‘The Atypical Family’
The Atypical Family, directed by Kim Gyu-tae, known for his work on dramas like It’s Okay, That’s Love and Our Blues, centers on the story of Huh Woo-jin (Choi Min-sik) discovering the genius of Lee Kang (Choe Hyun-wook), a student relegated to the back row of his class. The series delves into their intertwined lives as Woo-jin becomes fixated on Kang’s writing.
Choi Min-sik, making his return to series television after a three-year hiatus since Disney+’s Casino 2, embodies the eccentric and imposing figure of Professor Huh Woo-jin with remarkable depth. He partnered with Choe Hyun-wook, who is four decades his junior, for this project. The anticipation for their collaboration was high even before the series’ release.
The series has garnered significant attention globally, entering the Top 10 in 32 countries, including South Korea, Greece, Malaysia, Morocco, Vietnam, Singapore, the UAE, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Hong Kong, according to FlixPatrol, a global OTT ranking site. This widespread popularity underscores the compelling narrative and strong performances within the show.
Choi Min-sik’s Astonishment at Choe Hyun-wook’s Talent
During an interview held at a cafe in Samcheong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul, Choi Min-sik candidly discussed his experience working with Choe Hyun-wook. “There are many juniors who serve as motivation. For instance, I was astonished by Choe Hyun-wook. I didn’t even know he was in the popular drama The Dragon, but I heard he was,” Choi Min-sik remarked.
He recalled the initial casting process, mentioning that director Kim Gyu-tae had asked him to “pay attention to this friend, Choe Hyun-wook, as he’s coming for an audition.” Choi Min-sik admitted that during the audition, he initially thought, “How can I possibly know someone’s potential from just a few lines in a short time?” He noted that Choe Hyun-wook’s speech was a bit slow, but observed, “Seeing him sitting in the back row with that kind of gaze, I thought he might be alright.”
However, the reality of Choe Hyun-wook’s performance on set left Choi Min-sik genuinely surprised. “After we actually started filming, I was truly taken aback,” he confessed.
A Collaborative Dynamic on Set
Choi Min-sik elaborated on the dynamic between the two lead actors, stating, “As I mentioned at the press conference, I felt that my role was to ‘just follow him well.’ I decided that my main task in this drama was to receive his performance effectively. Choe Hyun-wook is the eye of the storm. He gets caught up in the situations and frameworks that Lee Kang (his character) creates, essentially becoming the focal point. I realized my role was to actively react to what Choe Hyun-wook was doing. I decided not to try and force anything myself.”
Expressing his satisfaction, Choi Min-sik added, “It’s amazing. He’s so young, in his twenties, and it makes me wonder, ‘Did I do that well at that age?'” He hopes that such experiences will lead to more diverse roles and projects in the future. “Because we’ve done dramas like The Atypical Family, I hope he can take on a variety of characters in various works,” he concluded, offering his sincere support.
The Atypical Family premiered globally on Netflix on May 26th, reaching audiences in over 190 countries.
