"You can have a marital fight, but you can't divorce"... Choi Min-sik's 'acting' love [Interview ②]

*This content was translated by AI.

• Netflix "The Last Line Boy" interview with Choi Min-sik

Actor Choi Min-sik revealed his unique affection for acting.

On the morning of the 2nd, Choi Min-sik held an interview for the Netflix series "The Last Line Boy" at a café in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, sharing various stories about the work.

"The Last Line Boy" is a suspense drama depicting the story of Heo Moon-oh (played by Choi Min-sik), a failed writer and Korean literature professor, who discovers the genius of Lee Kang (played by Choi Hyun-wook), a student sitting in the back row of his classroom, and becomes obsessed with his writing. Choi Min-sik leads the drama as Heo Moon-oh, a Korean literature professor consumed by feelings of inferiority.

No one can question Choi Min-sik's acting skills. Recently, he has gained popularity through films like "Exhuma" and Disney+'s "Casino," achieving a second golden age not only for his acting but also for his popularity.

He said, "I haven't been swayed by popularity or such things for a long time. It's not because of some great realization; I think it's simply that I've already passed my 60th birthday. What matters is the meaning of doing this work. There were late actors like Lee Soon-jae, Shin Goo, and Park Geun-hyung, but as I age, I find myself thinking, 'How many more good works can I do in the future?' My only thought is to make them truly worthwhile." He added, "Of course, it's great if the public likes it. But what's most important is my own satisfaction. I've said that this is an egoistic endeavor. One of the three major elements of theater is the audience, or the public, which could be seen as contradictory in a way. However, looking at it closely, I think it becomes like Heo Moon-oh. If I can be satisfied and find happiness through this work, then that's good. I am happy to have chosen 'The Last Line Boy'."

When asked which of his works he is most satisfied with, Choi Min-sik replied, "All of them are satisfying. Although 'Exhuma' and 'Noryang' reached 10 million viewers, I also love the film 'Pain.' Such films are good. The theater and cinema itself are a mix of business and art. Artistic value does not necessarily translate into box office success. Nevertheless, during those few months of making the work, and by the fact that I have thrown this story into the world, I felt satisfied."

Choi Min-sik said, "In fact, when I decided to make 'Pain,' everyone advised against it. It was after 'Shiri' ended, and people around me said, 'Something is coming,' or 'A big thing will come.' I asked them, 'What's coming, you idiot?' I turned down 'Friend' and made 'Pain.' But I have no regrets. I have my own standards; I must want to do it myself. I choose works that can convince me. That has always been the case." He continued, "So sometimes I take long breaks. 'The Last Line Boy' was done after resting for about a year following 'Exhuma.' If there were other things to do, I could have done them. After all, I need to make a living. But when things get tight, something I want to do comes along. Around the time my wife would give me subtle hints with a 'hm-hm' and say, 'Go out and check it out,' that's exactly when it came, and I am grateful for that," eliciting laughter.

When asked about the driving force behind his acting career spanning over 40 years, Choi Min-sik said, "If movies or theater are like a marriage to me, then there are times we fight. But we cannot divorce. Love must not end." He expressed his deep affection for his craft.

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*This content was translated by AI.