Choo Young-woo: Rising Star of 2025 with a Breakthrough Film Debut

If there's one actor who has had an exceptionally busy year in 2025, it's Choo Young-woo. This year, he starred in several dramas including 'The Tale of Lady Ok', 'The Trauma Code', 'Mercy for None', and 'Head Over Heels', and also made his film debut. The movie he starred in is the youth romance 'Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight' (hereafter 'EITLD'). Observers note that Choo Young-woo is solidifying his status as a leading actor in the film industry.

'EITLD' is a youth romance about Seo-yoon (played by Shin Si-a), who suffers from anterograde amnesia and loses her memory of the day every time she sleeps, and Jae-won (played by Choo Young-woo), who fills her memory daily. The film is an adaptation of Misaki Ichijo's bestselling novel, which has sold over 1.3 million copies worldwide. Choo Young-woo plays Jae-won, a high school student living a monotonous life.

Choo Young-woo expressed his excitement, saying, "I'm nervous and thrilled. Debuting on the big screen has always been a dream." He added, "I want to secretly book a ticket and watch the audience's reactions in the theater. I plan to sneak in soon to hear what people say, whether it's praise or criticism, as they leave the theater."

In the film, Jae-won appears to be an ordinary high school student but is actually suffering from a heart condition. While the role required a certain 'frail beauty', Choo Young-woo's on-screen presence exudes health, which might puzzle some viewers. He explained, "I did lose weight, about 13kg, but it didn't show much due to my natural build." He added, "Next time I play a character who needs to look sick or thin, I'll aim to lose around 20kg. I've learned from this experience and plan to avoid exercising and just rest to lose weight."

His prominent veins and muscular arms, along with his tanned skin, convey more masculinity than boyish charm, which might not align with the character's intended portrayal. Choo Young-woo commented, "Veins run in my family; it's genetic. Filming outdoors in the summer, my skin tanned despite using sunscreen, making me look healthier."

The dating scenes between the two young characters in the film are heartwarming. Choo Young-woo highlighted the kiss scene on a cruise as a particularly memorable moment, saying, "We filmed almost all night, doing about six to ten takes."

Choo Young-woo also incorporated aspects of his own school days into his character. He shared, "Sometimes, when talking with friends, I used a more mature tone. Jae-won is a naive and pure high school student who isn't perfect at expressing emotions. I tried to think of more beautiful expressions and gestures that fit the character, drawing from my own experiences." He added, "I've changed a lot since then, but my childhood friends who watched the movie said it reminded them of my younger self, which was nice to hear."

The film's depiction of young love is sure to resonate with audiences. When asked about his own first love, Choo Young-woo shyly recalled, "There's someone who comes to mind when I think of first love." He recounted, "At my high school, we had to take an entrance exam. After the exam, we all gathered in the auditorium. Among the 400 students, the top scorer was called to the stage, and it was like watching in slow motion. It was impressive, and we ended up in the same class." He continued, "She was an excellent student, and I studied hard to close the academic gap so we could attend classes together."

Fortunately, "It wasn't just a crush; we dated," he said. However, "I moved to pursue acting, and I don't know what she's up to now, but I heard she went to a prestigious university when we were 20."

Since his debut in 2021, Choo Young-woo has rapidly grown through various projects, including this year's dramas 'The Tale of Lady Ok', 'The Trauma Code', 'Mercy for None', 'Head Over Heels', and the film 'EITLD'. With his handsome looks and stable acting skills, he has become a 'trending actor' within a year. Choo Young-woo reflected, "I have no regrets because I worked hard. It was a fulfilling year. As an actor and as a person, I feel I'm changing for the better. I like who I am now, including my routine, personality, and values."

Regarding changes over the past year, he said, "I used to have a lot of worries and stress, but now I feel more at ease." He added, "I've cut out unnecessary things and focus on what's important. Recently, I quit alcohol and coffee. I used to drink 4-5 cups of coffee a day, but now I only have decaf occasionally. I haven't had alcohol for about three months and plan to continue abstaining." He explained, "With my schedule, I don't have much time to sleep, and adding these would be too much. It's for my health." However, "As a result, I don't go out or meet people much. I've been playing MapleStory at home since it's event season," he said, making listeners laugh.

Choo Young-woo is currently filming the new drama 'Love Doctor'(연애박사) directed by An Pan-seok, alongside Kim So-hyun. He is also considering a role in 'Long Vacation'. About filming 'Love Doctor', he said, "So-hyun is the same age as me but a senior I rely on a lot. It's my first time doing a traditional romance, and the character is in their mid-30s. I think it will showcase 'adult love'."

Kim Ji-won, TENASIA Reporter bella@tenasia.co.kr