Choi Min-sik (born May 30, 1962), is a South Korean actor. Known for his intense and transformative performances, he first gained recognition with the television series The Moon of Seoul (1994). His film breakthrough came with Shiri (1999), which established Choi as a leading actor. However, it was his role in Oldboy (2003) that cemented his status as one of South Korea's greatest actors. His performance was critically acclaimed and won him Best Actor at the Baeksang Arts Awards, the Blue Dragon Film Awards, and the Grand Bell Awards. Choi continued to star in high-profile films such as Lady Vengeance (2005), I Saw the Devil (2010), Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time (2012), New World (2013), and The Admiral: Roaring Currents (2014), which became the highest-grossing film in South Korea. For his performance in the latter, Choi won the Grand Prize at the 51st Baeksang Arts Awards. In 2014, Choi came to prominence in Hollywood with his role in Lucy (2014). He was also listed as Gallup Korea's Film Actor of the Year. Following this, he remained active in Korean cinema with works such as Forbidden Dream (2019) and Exhuma (2024). Choi also made his return to television with Big Bet (2022), his first drama series in over two decades.

Filmography

• Notes from the Last Row — Heo Mun-oh
• 2026The Intern — Kim Ki-ho
• 2024Exhuma — Kim Sang-duk
• Big Bet — Cha Mu-sik
• 2022In Our Prime — Ri Hak-sung
• 2021Heaven: To the Land of Happiness — 203
• 2019Forbidden Dream — Jang Yeong-sil
• 2019The Battle: Roar to Victory — Hong Beom-do
• 2017Heart Blackened — Lim Tae-san
• 2017The Mayor — Byeon Jong-gu
• 2015The Tiger — Man-deok
• 2014Lucy — Mr. Jang
• 2014The Admiral: Roaring Currents — Admiral Yi Sun-Shin
• 2013In My End Is My Beginning — Doctor (voice) (cameo)
• 2013New World — Kang Hyung-chul
• 2012Final Cut: Ladies and Gentlemen — (archive footage)
• 2012Nameless Gangster — Choi Ik-hyun
• 2011Leafie, a Hen Into the Wild — Wanderer (voice)
• 2010I Saw the Devil — Kyung-chul
• 2009Himalaya, Where the Wind Dwells — Choi
• 2005Crying Fist — Gang Tae-shik
• 2005Lady Vengeance — Mr. Baek
• 2005The Making of Lady Vengeance
• 2004Autobiography of Oldboy
• 2004Springtime — Hyeon-woo
• 2004Tae Guk Gi: The Brotherhood of War — North Korean Captain
• 2003Oldboy — Oh Dae-su
• 2002Chihwaseon — Jang Seung-up
• 2001Failan — Kang-jae
• 1999Happy End — Seo Min-ki
• 1999Shiri — Park Mu-young
• 1998The Quiet Family — Chang-goo
• 1997No. 3 — Ma Dong-pal
• 1995Mom, the Star, and the Sea Anemone
• The 4th Republic — Kim Dae-jung
• The Moon of Seoul — Park Chun-seob
• 1993Sara Is Guilty
• 1992May Our Love Stay This Way — Jun-hyeok
• 1992Our Twisted Hero — Mr. Kim
• 1990All That Falls Has Wings — Tae-sik
• 1989Kuro Arirang — Jin-seok
• 1989On the Way to the Winter — Gi-dal
• 1988Vapor
• Gyosan

Appearances as themselves (8)

• New Old Boy : Dir. Park — Self
• Sohn's Questions — Self
• Blue Dragon Series Awards — Self
• Just an Excuse — Self
• Modern Korea — Self (archive footage)
• You Quiz on the Block — Self
• 2016Old Days — Self
• 2012Ari Ari the Korean Cinema — Self