The fashion magazine ‘Harper's Bazaar’ Korea has unveiled the cover of its March 2025 issue featuring actor Choo Young-woo.
His defiant gaze and bold styling, which are quite different from his good-natured image in dramas, capture attention. The cover highlights a hot moment for Choo Young-woo, who has risen to prominence with the theme ‘New Era, New Man,’ following the success of two consecutive hits, ‘The Lady in Dignity’ and ‘Trauma Center.’
In the three released photos, he is seen wearing a formal suit or shirt with a tie, paired with various Cartier jewelry and watches.
In particular, a shot where he unbuttons his shirt to reveal his hidden abs seems sure to captivate fans. Even in the freezing weather with heavy snowfall, he managed to pull off an outdoor shoot in a sleeveless outfit, earning cheers and applause from the crew.
In a follow-up interview after the shoot, he opened up about his rise to fame as a rising star.
"It’s been a very short period, and I don’t think much has changed. I eat the same, sleep the same, and meet the same friends. I feel it’s right to work while feeling the responsibility and pressure that comes with it. I think I’ve tried to fully accept both the responsibility and pressure rather than trying to alleviate them. It’s not just about me feeling relieved. So many people are giving me help and love, so I feel I need to do even better moving forward,” he said.
He also discussed ‘The Lady in Dignity’ and ‘Trauma Center.’ Regarding his dual role in ‘The Lady in Dignity,’ he said, “I’ve talked about playing dual roles in other interviews, but I realized something while discussing acting with a friend yesterday. Every time a person interacts with another, the temperature is different. It’s different when dealing with someone you like versus someone you dislike. Just as your tone and behavior change in front of someone you find difficult or a cute child, I kept in mind that each person has a different personality and identity.”
On the other hand, regarding his role in ‘Trauma Center,’ which left a new impression with its natural comedic acting, he said, “The character I play, Jae-won, tries to do everything Professor Baek Kang-hyuk asks, but his immaturity inevitably shows. I aimed to express that situation in a cartoonish way. Since Netflix series can be viewed by audiences worldwide, I thought that expressing it clearly and boldly like a cartoon would make it easier for diverse people to accept. Jae-won compensates for the clumsiness that the perfect character Baek Kang-hyuk lacks. I tried to create Jae-won’s unique charm.”
When asked what he most wants to emphasize about himself as an actor, including his past, he said, “I’ve received various evaluations so far. ‘He seems mature, but still a bit childish. He seems to act well, but still has room for improvement.’ Strangely, I don’t feel bad about it. In a way, it means I’m an ambiguous person. I have a charm that others may not possess, so I hope you’ll continue to watch over me lovingly until my charm becomes more defined.”
[Jin Ju-hee, MK Sports Reporter]
