Choi Min-shik, a talented thespian, initially made a name for himself in the realm of theater before transitioning to the film world with a pivotal role in Park Chong-won's critically acclaimed masterpiece, "Our Twisted Hero", released in 1992. Throughout the mid-1990s, he continued to hone his craft by appearing in numerous theater productions as well as several television dramas, including the esteemed "Moon Over Seoul" alongside the illustrious Han Seok-gyu.
As the late 1990s unfolded, Choi Min-shik returned to the big screen with a commanding performance as a tough-talking police investigator in Song Neung-han's gripping drama, "No. 3", which premiered in 1997. His most significant role to date, however, was his portrayal of a North Korean agent in Korea's most successful film ever, "Shiri", released in 1999. This iconic performance earned him widespread acclaim and the prestigious Best Actor Award at the 1999 Grand Bell Awards.
Following his stint in a theater production of Hamlet in the spring of 1999, Choi Min-shik took on the complex role of a husband who uncovers his wife's infidelity in the drama "Happy End", which premiered in 1999. He then starred alongside the talented Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung as a third-rate gangster in the highly acclaimed "Failan", which debuted in early 2001. In 2003, Choi Min-shik cemented his status as a cinematic legend with his unforgettable performance in the now-classic "Oldboy".
