Veteran South Korean actor, Choi Jung-woo, renowned for his roles in popular dramas like City Hunter and The Legend of the Blue Sea, has passed on at the age of 68.
According to The Korea Times, the veteran thespian died in the early hours of Tuesday, as confirmed by his management.
Although the cause of death was not made public, reports indicate that the actor had been suffering from a long-term illness.
Born in 1957, Choi began his acting journey in 1975 with the stage play The Life of an Actor. He later became a voice actor for Tongyang Broadcasting Company in 1980, before moving into film and television.
He made a successful transition to the screen in the 2000s, featuring in several acclaimed productions. His film credits include Two Cops, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, The Chaser, The Witch, Smugglers, The Moon, and Project Silence.
On the small screen, Choi was known for his performances in series such as The Painter of the Wind, Prosecutor Princess, Tree with Deep Roots, My Daughter Seo-young, A Brilliant Legacy, Doctor Stranger, Five Children, Star Daughter-in-law, and Even If You Fall for Me, among others.
Just this year, he played the role of Park Joon-ki in The Tale of Lady Ok, portraying a character deeply suspicious of the heroine, Koo Deok-i, played by Lim Ji-yeon.
Choi’s funeral rites are ongoing at Woori Hospital’s funeral hall in Gimpo. The burial is scheduled to take place on Thursday at Suwon Yeonhwa Cemetery.
