Choi Dae-hoon graduated from the Department of Theater at Chung-Ang University. He made his screen debut in 2002 with the short film In The Jungle (Javan Mackerel) that was screened in Jeonju International Film Festival.[1] Following his debut, he focused on performing in plays and musicals.[2][3]
In 2013, Choi appeared in popular television dramas such as Bridal Mask and Big.[4] This was followed by a lead role in the tvN drama Crazy Love.[5] Choi then appeared in a supporting role in the drama The Queen of Office and the film The Terror Live.[6] In 2014, his dramas included KBS Drama Special Season 5 - I'm Dying Soon, You're Only Mine, Hotel King, and Mom's Choice.
In 2015, Choi acted in the SBS daily drama The Return of Hwang Geum-bok. He then gained more popularity for his breakthrough role as a SungkyunkwanConfucian student Jo Mal-saeng in the SBS historical drama Six Flying Dragons. In episode 35, Jo Mal-saeng made his first appearance and saved the lives of Lee Seong-gye (played by Chun Ho-jin) and Lee Bang-won (played by Yoo Ah-in). Lee Bang-won tried to escape from Byeokran Island with Lee Seong-gye and returned to Gaegyeong with Jo Mal-saeng's help.[7]
In 2017, Choi left a strong impression on TV viewers in the role of the righteous elite prosecutor Kim Yoon-soo in the SBS drama Oh, the Mysterious. He was praised to have perfectly embodied the character of a smart prosecutor with his emotional acting.[8]
Critical acclaim and recent projects
On May 10, 2018, Choi signed an exclusive contract with Star Camp 202. Two days later, on May 12, he made his appearance in first episode of tvN drama Lawless Lawyer as Seok Gwan-dong, the leader of the East Crown gang in Seoul. The show follows a lawyer who fights against corruption using his fists instead of the law.[8]
In July, Choi confirmed his appearance in the SBS drama Heart Surgeons. He portrayed the character Gu Dong-jun, a young man from a wealthy family. Choi's performance blended maturity and childlike charm. His ability to create strong on-screen chemistry with the other actors was praised. Choi's portrayal was highlighted for his witty dialogue, refreshing expressions, and endearing silliness, which made the character a standout. Choi also effectively conveyed the character's serious and knowledgeable traits as he developed into a real doctor. Viewers commended Choi's performance as funny, cute, and cunning, bringing a cheerful and playful energy to the story.[9] This led to his nomination for Best Supporting Actor at the 2018 SBS Drama Awards.[10]
In the end of 2019, Choi wast cast in Park Ji-eun's drama Crash Landing on You as Yoon Se-jun, the eldest brother of Yoon Se-ri (Son Ye-jin). Despite being the eldest son of a chaebol, he was somewhat foolish and sloppy, contrary to his ambitions. Choi wittyly expressed the character's personality with a light attitude and a speedy dialogue tone.[14]
In 2020, Choi proved his acting prowess with the cool, level-headed team leader Lee Woo-cheol in the tvN drama Flower of Evil. He transformed into a sharp-eyed, brooding detective, embodying the character's weighty presence and cold demeanor. Additionally, he showcased dynamic action sequences that had not been seen in his prior roles.[14] Choi also appeared in dramas, Extracurricular, Mystic Pop-up Bar, and Do You Like Brahms?.[15]
In 2021, Choi worked with Director Shim Na-yeon again after their previous collaboration in At Eighteen. He played Park Jeong-je in the drama Beyond Evil. Park Jeong-je is a police officer in the Munju Police Station's investigation support team, a close friend of Lee Dong-sik (Shin Ha-kyun) and the son of Munju City Councilor Do Hae-won (Gil Hae-yeon). He received the nickname "new acting monster" from viewers for his performance. He skillfully portrayed the character from multiple perspectives, bringing it to life in a vivid and three-dimensional manner.[16][17] As a result, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 57th Baeksang Arts Awards.[18]
In 2022, he appeared in many roles, Jang Seung-jun from Extraordinary Attorney Woo, Chun Sang-woo from Model Detective 2, Noh Seung-hwan from Insider, and the sleep clinic doctor from Decision to Leave.[2] He also appeared as Seo Min-hyeok in One Dollar Lawyer. Seo Min-hyeok is a prosecutor from a prestigious legal family who dreams of marrying his long-time crush, Baek Ma-ri, and expanding her family's law firm into "Baek & Seo". Though professional in his work, he is also a reckless "papa's boy" who consults his father on every decision. Despite his simple nature, viewers initially suspected Seo of being a "villain" character due to his behavior toward his former colleague, Cheon Ji-hoon.[19]
Personal life
Choi Dae-hoon and actress Jang Yoon-seo [ko] were married on April 10, 2015, at a chapel in Gangnam, Seoul. They initially met on the set of the 2013 tvN drama Crazy Love, and their relationship progressed from there.[20][21] In February 2017, news reported that they have a daughter born in 2016.[22][23]
^Kim, Samuel (2015-02-05). "배우 장윤서-최대훈 결혼…"자상한 매력에 반했다"" [Actors Jang Yoon-seo and Choi Dae-hoon get married… “I fell for their detailed charm”]. m.entertain.naver.com. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
^Lee Min-ji (July 15, 2021). "'멜랑꼴리아' 진경-최대훈→장현성-변정수, 황금 라인업 완성(공식)" ['Melancholia' Jin-Kyung-Choi Dae-Hoon → Jang Hyun-Sung-Byeon Jeong-Soo completes the golden lineup]. Newsen (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved August 25, 2021.
^Park, Jin-young (July 6, 2022). "최대훈, 오늘(6일) '이상한 변호사 우영우' 첫 등장...변호사 변신" [Choi Dae-hoon, first appearance in 'Strange Lawyer Woo Young-woo' today (6th)... lawyer transformation] (in Korean). Joy News. Archived from the original on August 19, 2022. Retrieved July 7, 2022.
^Yoon Sung-yeol (April 24, 2022). "[단독]최대훈, 검사 된다..'천원짜리 변호사'서 남궁민과 호흡" [[Exclusive] Choi Dae-hoon will be a prosecutor... Breathing with Namgoong-min in 'Thousand Won Lawyer'] (in Korean). MT Star News. Retrieved April 25, 2022 – via Naver.
^Son Jin-ah (September 19, 2022). "지승현·최대훈·황우슬혜·배해선, '커튼콜: 나무는 서서 죽는다' 합류" [Ji Seung-hyun, Choi Dae-hoon, Hwang Woo-seul-hye, and Bae Hae-seon join 'Curtain Call: Trees Stand and Die] (in Korean). MK Sports. Archived from the original on September 20, 2022. Retrieved September 19, 2022 – via Naver.
^"임진택의 창작판소리 세 바탕" [Three Pansori by Lim Jin-Taek]. www.daarts.or.kr (in Korean). Retrieved 2024-07-06.
^"뮤지컬 이야기쇼 이석준과 함께 10주년" [Musical Story Show 10th Anniversary with Lee Seok-jun]. www.playdb.co.kr. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
^"공연의 모든 것 - 플레이DB - 호이 스타일 매거진 쇼뷰티 라이프" [All about performances - PlayDB - Hoi An Style Magazine Show Beauty Life]. www.playdb.co.kr. Archived from the original on July 25, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022.
^"박동하 '김종욱 찾기'로 4년만에 고국 무대" [Park Dong-ha's 'Finding Kim Jong-wook' for the first time in his home country in 4 years]. Naver (in Korean). August 28, 2007. Archived from the original on March 24, 2024. Retrieved March 24, 2024.
^Kim Jin-seok and Jo Yeon-kyung (April 12, 2021). "57회 백상예술대상, TV·영화·연극 부문 최종 후보 공개" [57th Baeksang Arts Awards, finalists for TV, film, and theater]. isplus.joins (in Korean). Archived from the original on April 12, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2021.
