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Choi Jin-Sil
Korean actress-Choi Jin-sil-Segye Ilbo.jpg
Choi Jin-Sil in September 2008
Born (1968-12-24)December 24, 1968
Died October 2, 2008(2008-10-02) (aged 39)
Nationality South Korean
Occupation Actress
Years active 1988–2008
Spouse(s) Cho Sung-Min (2000–2004; divorced)
Children 2
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised Romanization Choe Jin-sil
McCune–Reischauer Ch'oe Chin-sil

Choi Jin-Sil (December 24, 1968 – October 2, 2008) was a famous South Korean actress. Many people thought she was one of the best actresses in South Korea. They even called her "The Nation's Actress." She starred in 18 movies and 20 TV shows. She also appeared in 140 commercials! Choi Jin-Sil won the 33rd Grand Bell Award for Best Actress. She was a beloved star who left a big mark on Korean entertainment.

Early Life

Choi Jin-Sil was born in Seoul, South Korea, on December 24, 1968. She was the first child of her parents, Choi Guk-Hyeon and Jeong Ok-Suk. She also had a younger brother, Choi Jin-young, who became an actor and singer too.

Her family faced tough times when she was young. Her mother even ran a pojangmacha, which is a small street food stall, to support the family. Choi Jin-Sil dreamed of becoming a star to help her family. She once shared that her nickname in school was "Choisujebi." This was because she often ate sujebi (a simple dumpling soup) instead of regular meals due to their financial situation. Even after she became a very successful actress, she was known for being careful with money. She even received awards for her smart saving habits!

Career Highlights

Choi Jin-Sil finished high school in 1987. She started her career in entertainment by modeling for advertisements. She became famous after appearing in a commercial for Samsung Electronics. In this ad, she played a newly married housewife.

In 1988, she became a TV actress. Her first role was in the MBC historical drama, 500 Years of Joseon. Her first movie was North Korean Partisan in South Korea in 1990. After playing smaller roles in TV shows, Choi Jin-Sil got lead roles. She starred in the movie My Love, My Bride (1990) and the MBC drama Jealousy (1992).

In 1998, Choi Jin-Sil wrote a book about her life called Yes, Let's Live Truthfully Today Too. It shared her journey from a regular high school student to a famous actress. After her divorce in 2004, she spent more time raising her two children. She made a big comeback in 2005 with the TV show My Rosy Life. This role helped her career shine again. Her last TV show was Last Scandal in 2008. It received many good reviews from both critics and viewers. There were even plans for a second season of Last Scandal before she passed away. She also hosted a talk show called Choi Jin-sil 'Truth and Lie' in 2008.

Personal Life

In 1994, Choi Jin-Sil faced a difficult time when her former manager had a serious incident. This event shocked many people in Korea. Sadly, false rumors spread about her, which caused her a lot of distress.

Family Life

In 2000, Choi Jin-Sil married Cho Sung-min. He was a professional baseball player from Japan. They first met on a TV show in 1998. Choi Jin-Sil and Cho Sung-min had two children: a son named Hwan-Hee (born in 2001) and a daughter named Joon-Hee (born in 2003).

After some challenges, Choi Jin-Sil and Cho Sung-min decided to divorce in 2004. Choi Jin-Sil gained custody of their children. This meant she would be the main parent caring for them. Cho Sung-min was still able to visit his children regularly, as they had agreed.

In 2008, a change in South Korean law allowed children to use their mother's family name. Because of this, her children changed their last name from "Cho" (their father's name) to "Choi" (their mother's name).

After Choi Jin-Sil's passing, her mother took care of her children and managed her inheritance. Her older child, Choi Hwan-hee, is now a singer. He uses the stage name Z.flat and started his music career in November 2020.

Filmography

Film

Year Title Korean Romanization
1990 Nambugun 남부군 Nambugun
You Know What? It's a Secret 2 있잖아요 비밀이에요 2 Itjanayo Bimiriyeyo 2
Kkokjiddan 꼭지단 Kkogjidan
My Love, My Bride 나의 사랑, 나의 신부 Naui Sarang Naui Sinbu
1991 Susanne Brink's Arirang 수잔 브링크의 아리랑 Sujan Beuringkeu-ui Arirang
The Room in the Forest 숲속의 방 Supsogui Bang
1992 Mister Mama 미스터 맘마 Miseuteo Mamma
1993 The Girl for Love and The One for Marriage 사랑하고 싶은 여자, 결혼하고 싶은 여자 Saranghago sipeun Yeoja, Gyeolhonhago sipeun Yeoja
1994 How to Top My Wife 마누라 죽이기 Manura Jugigi
I Wish for What Is Forbidden to Me 나는 소망한다, 내게 금지된 것을 Naneun Somanghanda Naege Geumjidoen Geoseul
1995 Mom Has a New Boyfriend 엄마에게 애인이 생겼어요 Eommaege Aeini Saenggyeosseoyo
Who Makes Me Crazy 누가 나를 미치게 하는가 Nuga Nareul Michige Haneunga
1996 Ghost Mamma 고스트 맘마 Goseuteu mamma
1997 Baby Sale 베이비 세일 Beibi Seil
Holiday in Seoul 홀리데이 인 서울 Holidei in Seoul
The Letter 편지 Pyeonji
1999 Mayonnaise 마요네즈 Mayonejeu
2000 The Legend of Gingko 단적비연수 Tan Jeok Bi Yeon Su

TV drama

Year Title Korean Romanizaton
1988 500 Years of Joseon: The Memoirs of Lady Hyegyeong 조선왕조 오백년: 한중록 Joseon Wangjo Obaengnyeon: Hanjungnok
1989 500 Years of Joseon: Pamun 조선왕조 오백년: 파문 Joseon Wangjo Obaengnyeon: Pamun
Sleepless Tree 잠들지 않는 나무 Jamdeulji anneun Namu
1990 Gaksibang Sarang Yeollyeonne 각시방 사랑 열렸네 Gaksibang Sarang Yeollyeonne
Our Paradise 우리들의 천국 Urideurui Cheon-guk
1992 Enchantment 매혹 Maehok
Jealousy 질투 Jiltu
1993 Stormy Season 폭풍의 계절 Pokpung-ui Gyejeol
1994 Scent of Love 사랑의 향기 Sarang-ui Hyanggi
1995 Asphalt Man 아스팔트 사나이 Aseupalteu Sanai
Jazz 째즈 Jjaejeu
APT 아파트 Apateu
1996 Promise 약속 Yaksok
1997 Star in My Heart 별은 내 가슴에 Byeoreun Nae Gaseume
You and I 그대 그리고 나 Geudae Geurigo Na
1998 Memories 추억 Chueok
1999 Roses and Bean Sprouts 장미와 콩나물 Jangmiwa Kongnamul
2002 Since We Met 그대를 알고부터 Geudaereul Algobuteo
2004 War of the Roses 장미의 전쟁 Jangmiui Jeonjaeng
2005 My Rosy Life 장밋빛 인생 Jangmitbit Insaeng
2007 Bad Woman, Good Woman 나쁜여자 착한여자 Nappeun Yeoja, Chakhan Yeoja
2008 Last Scandal 내 생애 마지막 스캔들 Nae Saeng-ae Majimak Seukaendeul

Awards and Recognition

Film Awards

  • Grand Bell Awards
    • 1995 (33rd) - Best Actress for How to Top My Wife
    • 1993 (31st) - Most Popular Actress
    • 1991 (29th) - Best New Actress for My Love, My Bride
  • Blue Dragon Film Awards
    • 1991 (12th), 1992 (13th), 1993 (14th), 1994 (15th), 1995 (16th), 1997 (18th), 1998 (19th) - Popular Star Award
    • 1990 (11th) - Best New Actress for Nambugun
  • Baeksang Arts Awards
    • 2006, Best Actress for Television
    • 1991, 1995, 1997 - Most Popular Actress
  • Chunsa Film Art Awards
    • 1991, Best New Actress

Broadcasting Awards

  • KBS Drama Awards
    • 2005, Top Excellence Award, Actress; Netizen Award; Best Couple Award
    • 1998, Top Excellence Award, Actress
  • MBC Drama Awards
    • 1997, Top Excellence Award, Actress
    • 2008, Achievement Award
  • SBS Drama Awards
    • 1994, Top Excellence Award, Actress
    • 1995, Top Excellence Award, Actress
  • Grimae Awards
    • 1998, Best Actress
  • Korea Broadcasting Association Awards
    • 1998, Best Actress

Broadcasting Nominations

  • 2008 MBC Drama Awards
    • Top Excellence Award, Actress
    • Best Couple Award
  • 2007 MBC Drama Awards
    • Top Excellence Award, Actress
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