Choo Young-woo aims for higher praise next year

Actor Choo Young-woo poses during an interview for his first big-screen film, Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight

Actor Choo Young-woo said he hopes to become “an even more praised actor” next year as he looks back on his first big-screen role in Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight, which opened in theaters on Dec. 24.

“Because it was my first time on the big screen, I was nervous and worried,” Choo said in a recent interview. “People around me only say good things, so I’m thinking of wearing a hat and going to the theater alone to watch it.”

In the film, Choo plays Kim Jae-won, a high school boy who tenderly records each day for a girl who loses her memories overnight. The movie is directed by Kim Hye-young and is based on the bestselling Japanese novel of the same name by Ichijo Misaki, which has sold more than 1.3 million copies worldwide.

As a longtime fan of the original novel, Choo said joining the project was an honor, but also a source of pressure given the story’s popularity in Japan. “I worried because I felt different from the male lead in the Japanese version,” he said. “But when I saw the Korean adaptation, I realized the tone and the storytelling were clearly different.”

To prepare for the role, Choo lost about 13 kilograms. “Because of my natural build, I didn’t end up looking as slim as I expected,” he said. “Before filming, the director told me she wanted me to lose muscle, so I even avoided working out.”

In 2025 alone, Choo appeared in five projects, including The Tale of Lady Ok, Trauma Center, The Square, Gyeonwoo and the Fairy, and Even If This Love Disappears from the World Tonight. He said portraying Kim Jae-won was more difficult than expected because the character felt closer to everyday life than his previous roles.

“I was worried people might see the character as too ordinary or bland,” he said. “But after watching the screening, I let go of that fear. That sense of ordinariness actually helped the film.”

Choo also spoke warmly about working with his co-star Cynthia. “When she smiles, there’s an innocence that fits Seo-yoon perfectly,” he said. “She embraced everything I tried in my performance, and you can feel the affection in the montage scenes. I was really grateful.”

Reflecting on the attention he has received this year, Choo said he wants to repay audiences by continuing to grow as an actor. “Right now, work matters more than personal time,” he said. “I’ve run without regrets, and I’m thankful for the love beyond what I imagined. Next year, I want to go beyond the praise I’ve received and earn even more by working harder and learning more.”

ⓒ "젊은 파워, 모바일 넘버원 아시아투데이"