[Exclusive]Choi Daniel, from 'Yumi's Cells' to 'Gugidong Friends'.. Between Everyone's Ideal and the Clumsy Uncle [★StarNews 22nd Anniversary Interview Part 1]

*This content was translated by AI.

About 20 years after his debut as "everyone's affectionate ideal," there is an actor whose image has completely shifted to that of a "clumsy uncle." That actor is Choi Daniel (40). In 2009, he captivated Korean women with his role as the bespectacled dandy Lee Ji-hoon in MBC's hit sitcom "High Kick Through the Roof," but who could have predicted that in 2025, on MBC's variety show "Omniscient Interfering View," he would showcase his natural eccentricity and carelessness through slapstick comedy, effectively bringing Mr. Bean to life, and go on to win the Best Entertainer in the Reality Category at the MBC Entertainment Awards that same year? Choi Daniel's signature "gentle eye smile" enhances appeal for both contrasting images.

Over 22 years since his debut, Choi Daniel has portrayed a wide spectrum of characters through various roles. Through dramas such as "Forever Young," "The Musical," "School 2013," "Expecting Love," "Big Man," "Jugglers," "Today's Detective," "Today's Webtoon," "Fly, Butterfly," "Mask Girl," "I'm Still Ji-song Today," and films including "Cyrano; Love Manipulation," "Conspirators," "Eleven O'Clock," "Chronicle of Evil," "Extraterritorial," "BEAST," "Sunny Day," and "I Am Here," he effortlessly moved between intellectual and gentle characters and chilling villains, balancing warmth and chill as he pleased. His trademarks—the glasses and the eye smile—were sometimes perfectly matched to the occasion and at other times served as tools for dramatic twists.

This year, in particular, Choi Daniel delivered outstanding performances across multiple genres, appearing in TVING's drama "Yumi's Cells 3," tvN's variety show "Gugidong Friends," and MBC Every1's "The Great Guide 3." In "Yumi's Cells 3," he exuded the charm of an unrestrained and cheerful Power 'E' personality, standing in stark contrast to the introverted and calm Soon-rok (played by Kim Jae-won), serving as a key player who created thrilling tension and a love triangle between Yumi (played by Kim Go-eun) and Soon-rok. In "Gugidong Friends," he appeared alongside his 1985-born peers, fully displaying his unique blend of clumsiness and genuine warmth. On "The Great Guide 3," he delivered big laughs with his cheerful energy, quirky competitive spirit, and moments of humiliation.

Amid these activities, Choi Daniel also runs the YouTube channel "Choi Daniel" while leading a busy life. He has become even more familiar to the public through everyday content such as mukbang (eating shows), advice sessions, Temu hauls, and unplanned trips to Hoengseong, Gongju, Pyeongtaek, Osong, and Seoul. His trip to Japan to meet Japanese actress Takada Kaho, whom he met on MBN's "Hanil Romance: Pre-marital Love" in 2024, also conveyed the thrilling excitement of reality dating. Recently, he has newly released podcast content, adding sincere talk segments and further showcasing his charm.

This year marks 22 years since Choi Daniel began his career. He sat down for an interview with StarNews, which is also celebrating its 22nd anniversary.

-You've been very active this year as well. How have things been since you finished your recent projects?

▶I almost completed filming for the first half of the year and plan to shoot one film in the second half. I'm also working on my personal YouTube channel whenever I have time. I've always loved games, so I used to watch many streamers' game broadcasts. Recently, YouTube has become more production-oriented, but I wanted to create relaxed videos like road movies with a nostalgic feel. The Osong trip content, which was unplanned, is a good example of that. It's like the taste of Pyongyang Naengmyeon. I'm also planning to do podcasts—sharing my personal experiences and thoughts in a calm, conversational way, creating content suitable for listening while taking a walk or before bed. I wanted to challenge myself with formats different from TV and YouTube.

-You had great performances this year appearing in TVING's drama "Yumi's Cells 3," tvN's variety show "Gugidong Friends," and MBC Every1's "The Great Guide 3." How will you remember each of these works?

▶My polished image has already been shown through various dramas and photo shoots, so for "Gugidong Friends," which has a strong sense of real-life observation, I tried to show myself without makeup, as if I had just woken up at home. In "Yumi's Cells 3," I realized that my perception of myself differs greatly from how viewers see me. People can appear in many different ways depending on the situation, and I think this time I was able to present a new side of myself. The character Kim Ju-ho felt realistic, which made him charming. While this character needed to be unlikable yet still have charm, that balance was challenging, so I tried to incorporate my own sense of cuteness and mischief. The director, staff, and fellow actors were all very helpful. "The Great Guide 3" began not as a trip but as an "adventure." I aimed to evoke the feeling of "Indiana Jones" or "Treasure Hunter." The most difficult moment was when we tried to reach the summit of Mount Atlas in Tubkal. After sleeping on the snowy mountain and waking up, it had snowed heavily. So although we didn't reach the very top, we climbed up to around 3,000 meters above sea level. Still, it was a memorable time. Casablanca in Morocco was also truly wonderful. Located by the sea, it had a romantic atmosphere.

-You debuted as a model for the "Lotte Pepero" commercial in 2003, which coincides with StarNews' 22nd anniversary and your own 22 years of activity. Looking back, what was the process like when you debuted as an actor, and how do you reflect on your early career?

▶When I was young, my dreams were to become a scientist, an artist, or a cartoonist. I loved drawing, though I never received formal training. My older brother was also good at drawing. I read many manga from Weekly Shonen Jump and Champ, and I won numerous art awards during my school years. I even remember feeling shy and having my heart race when receiving those awards. (Laughs) Acting seemed like something I could challenge with just my body, so that's how I started. When I first appeared on "Star Golden Bell" as a rookie, I introduced myself as both a model and an actor. But while acting, I developed a strong desire to express things exactly as I intended.

-To be continued in Interview Part 2

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*This content was translated by AI.