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Choi Won-young

Choi Won-young

Actor · Born January 10, 1976 (50) · South Korea

Choi Won-young (born Choi Seong-wook) is a South Korean actor. After making his acting debut in Sex Is Zero, Choi has appeared in both film and television. But his most notable roles have been in the TV dramas While You Were Sleeping and A Hundred Year Legacy, as well as the low-budget crime thriller Your Time Is Up, which premiered at the 2012 Busan International Film Festival. In December 2013, Choi became engaged to actress Shim Yi-young whom he met while playing a married couple in the series A Hundred Year Legacy. The couple got married on February 28, 2014, at the Grand Ballroom of the COEX Walkerhill Hotel in Samseong-dong and on June 22, 2014, they welcomed their first child, a daughter. June 14, 2017 couple welcomed their second daughter.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
January 10, 1976 (50)
From
South Korea
Works as
Actor
Titles
28 on Motif · 69 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 157 days to Oct 28Up 28% in 30 days

What are Choi Won-young's films like?

Across their 20 Motif titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Self and Morality.

Genres

Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 96th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their Motif films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Self
26%
Morality
22%
Bonds
21%
Power
12%
Survival
8%
Society
6%
Ideas
5%
Family bonds6 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity4 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose3 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal2 titles, browse their movies with this themeFreedom2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 6 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 3 · Serious 2 · Dark 1

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 4 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 3 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 2 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 3 · Engaged 2 · Full focus 1

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

A split, not a type: Resolved 3 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 2

Roles they play

5 analyzed roles

Usually the Mentor: 3 of 5 analyzed roles.

Mentor
3 of 5
Shadow
2 of 5

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Melancholic
9
Warm
5
Hopeful
5
Joyful
5
Other
20

How their films linger

Bittersweet9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking9 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet12
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Choi Won-young's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 23 of their 28 Motif titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Netflix (9).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Choi Won-young's titles on Motif; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

69 credits, 28 with a Motif page; 3 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Dora (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2026)

    as Sang-hun

  • We Are All Trying Here(2026)

    Show 12 episodes · as Choi Dong-hyeon

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • Phantom Lawyer(2026)

    Show 4 episodes · as Shin Gi-jung

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all shows

  • The Practical Guide to Love (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 12 episodes · Actor

  • 평행이론 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Undercover Miss Hong(2026)

    Show 16 episodes · as Kang Myeong-hwi

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • To My Beloved Thief (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2026)

    Show 16 episodes · as Lim Sa-hyeong

  • The Murky Stream(2025)

    Show 9 episodes · Actor

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Our Chocolate Moments(2025)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mr. Hong

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all shows (provisional, few ratings)

  • Shin's Project(2025)

    Show as Kim Yeong-ho

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all shows

  • Family by Choice (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2024)

    Show 16 episodes · as Yun Jeong-jae

  • Land of Happiness (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2024)

    as Baek Seung-gi

  • Hierarchy(2024)

    Show 7 episodes · as Jug Gi-yeong

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all shows

  • Twinkling Watermelon (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2023)

    Show 16 episodes · as Eun-gyeol's Father

  • Past Lives(2023)

    as Nora's Dad

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • The First Responders(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Ha Young-doo

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Under the Queen's Umbrella(2022)

    Show 16 episodes · as King Lee Ho

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • The Golden Spoon(2022)

    Show 16 episodes · as Hwang Hyeon-do

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • O’PENing (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · as Kim Kang-su

  • Yaksha: Ruthless Operations(2022)

    as Lee Chan-young

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • When Flowers Bloom, I Think of the Moon(2021)

    Show 16 episodes · as Lee Shi-heum

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all shows

  • Reflection of You(2021)

    Show 16 episodes · as An Hyeon-seong

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all shows

  • Youth of May(2021)

    Show 1 episode · as Hwang Hee-tae (adult)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • The Book of Fish(2021)

    as Jeong Yak-jong

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • My Dangerous Wife (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 16 episodes · as Kim Yoon Cheol

  • Oh! My Gran(2020)

    as Detective Kang

    Midcredits score: 52nd percentile of all films

  • Alice(2020)

    Show 16 episodes · as Seok Oh-won

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Mystic Pop-up Bar(2020)

    Show 12 episodes · as Team Leader Gwi

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Scouting Report (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    as Kyung Woo

  • Jesters: The Game Changers (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    as Hong Yoon-sung

  • Nokdu Flower(2019)

    Show 48 episodes · as Hwang Seok-Joo

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all shows

  • Doctor Prisoner (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2019)

    Show 32 episodes · as Lee Jae-Joon

  • SKY Castle (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 20 episodes · as Hwang Chi-young

  • 따로 또 같이 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Where Stars Land (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2018)

    Show 32 episodes · as Han Jae-young

  • Oh, the Mysterious (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 40 episodes · as Jang Pil-Sung

  • Mad Dog(2017)

    Show 16 episodes · as Joo Hyun-Ki

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • While You Were Sleeping (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 2 episodes · as Nam Chul Doo [Hong Joo's father]

  • Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 20 episodes · as An Ji-Gong

  • The Gentlemen of Wolgyesu Tailor Shop (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 54 episodes · as Sung Tae-Pyung

  • Come Back Alive (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 16 episodes · as Cha Jae Gook

  • Second 20s(2015)

    Show 16 episodes · as Kim Woo-Cheol

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • Looking for My Family (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    as Tae-seong

  • Hello Monster (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 16 episodes · as Lee Joon-ho/Lee Joon-yeong

  • Kill Me, Heal Me (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 20 episodes · as Chief Ahn Gook

  • Secret Door (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 24 episodes · as Chae Je-gong

  • Climb The Sky Walls (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2014)

    Show 1 episode · as [Climbing coach]

  • Three Days(2014)

    Show 16 episodes · as Kim Do-jin

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all shows

  • The Plan Man (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2014)

    as Kang Byung-soo

  • Shorts Meet Shorts (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2013)

    as Dong-kyu

  • Heirs(2013)

    Show 20 episodes · as Yoon Jae-ho

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all shows

  • Your Time is UP (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2013)

    as Seok-ho

  • Love in Memory (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 6 episodes · as Ki Soo

  • A Hundred Year Legacy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 50 episodes · as Kim Chul-gyu

  • Confession of Murder(2012)

    as Jung Tae-suk

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Grape Candy (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2012)

    as Ji-hoon

  • 아드레날린 (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • While You Were Sleeping (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2011)

    Show 5 episodes · as Yoon Min-joon

  • In Love and the War (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Earth Rep Rolling Stars (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2011)

    as Jack (voice)

  • After the Opera (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • KBS Drama Special (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Outlaw (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    as Park Sung-chul

  • Definitely Neighbors (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 65 episodes · as Chae Ki-hoon

  • The Great Queen Seondeok (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 62 episodes · as General Gyebaek

  • Cheaters (not in the Motif catalog yet)(2007)

    as Seok Ho

  • Love in Magic(2005)

    as Han Joon-seok

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • To Catch a Virgin Ghost(2004)

    as Han-seok

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Sex Is Zero(2002)

    as Park Chan-soo

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 68 titles from 2002 to 2026; peak year 2023.

Biggest box office

Past Lives (2023)

$43M worldwide

Highest rated

Past Lives (2023)

Midcredits 98th

Film career

20022026

Peak 2023 · their film career is on the way up. Top draw in 6 Motif titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 2002Screen debut· Sex Is Zero
  • 2023Career best· Past Lives

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting68 of 68: 68 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score74th

By decade

2000s5 · acting2010s36 · acting2020s27 · acting

Billing

usually 7th · top billed in 0% of 7 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on Motif, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Choi Won-young's films land?

Their typical Motif film has a Midcredits score in the 60th percentile, the median of all 8; across their 6 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 69th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

69thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Approval · how many liked their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Reach · how many have seen their films

75thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Midcredits score across 28 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up13
  • 50th to 74th11
  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

15 of their 28 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Crowd Pleaser15
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Reflection of You (2021)

64th percentile spread · 17% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Past Lives (2023)

Midcredits 98th · 86% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 4 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 53. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on Motif; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their Motif titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Choi Won-young work with?

People who share at least 2 of Choi Won-young's Motif titles, grouped by what they did on them; Kim Sang-ho shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Editors