Actor Choo Young-woo, 26, is still adjusting to his sudden rise to fame. "I’ve never received this much attention before, so I was extra cautious. I barely went outside during the Lunar New Year holiday," he said with a shy laugh. "Someone recognized me at the gym, and it felt surreal — almost like a dream."

After five years in the industry, Choo has become one of the most talked-about actors of the moment. He first gained recognition with his dual-role performance in "The Tale of Lady Ok," a historical drama that wrapped up last month.

However, it was his portrayal of the warm-hearted but clumsy doctor Yang Jae-won in Netflix’s "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" that propelled him to stardom.

Choo’s role in "The Tale of Lady Ok" marked two major milestones — it was his first historical drama and his first time playing two distinct characters in the same series. He portrayed Sung Yoon-gyeom, a nobleman married to legal advocate Ok Tae-young (played by Lim Ji-yeon), and Chun Seung-hwi, a traveling storyteller who captivates audiences with his performances.

To help him navigate the challenge, Lim gave him valuable advice. "She told me to treat the two roles as if they were from completely different dramas and to approach them separately," Choo said. "I focused on making sure viewers could tell them apart just from my stance and expressions."

His preparation was just as intense. Three months before filming, he trained in martial arts, horseback riding and archery for Yoon-gyeom’s role. For Seung-hwi, he took weekly singing and dance lessons, even performing "Let’s Never Break Up Again," an original track for the drama.

Despite his strong singing abilities, mastering traditional Korean storytelling vocals proved challenging.

"Even with private lessons from traditional music masters, I couldn’t fully match their level, which left me feeling a bit disappointed," he said.

From rising actor to global star

While "The Tale of Lady Ok" showcased his versatility, it was "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" that made him a household name. In the drama, Choo plays Yang Jae-won, a fourth-year resident under the mentorship of Baek Kang-hyuk (played by Ju Ji-hoon), a brilliant but abrasive surgeon who returns from war zones to teach at the trauma center of Korea University Hospital.

Despite having a fear of heights, Yang puts patients first, boarding helicopters for emergency rescues and working tirelessly to save lives.

"I did so much running in this drama, but I actually enjoyed the exhaustion," Choo said. "I wanted to capture the real sense of urgency and responsibility that doctors, police officers and firefighters experience every day."

His dedication has paid off, with the drama becoming a massive hit worldwide. According to FlixPatrol, "The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call" ranked No. 2 on Netflix’s global TV show chart as of Jan. 30, even surpassing "Squid Game" Season 2.

It also secured the No. 1 spot in 14 countries, including Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Family of performers

Choo’s artistic talents run in the family. His father, Choo Seung-il, was a top model in the 1990s alongside actor and model Cha Seung-won, while his mother, Kang Sung-jin, was also a model.

His younger brother, Cha Jung-woo, 22, is a rookie actor who even served as Choo’s body double in "The Tale of Lady Ok." Their family fully supported Choo’s acting ambitions, relocating from Sejong to Seoul to help him pursue his dream.

Interestingly, Choo’s career path could have taken a different turn. In high school, JYP Entertainment scouted him for an idol debut, but he turned down the offer.

"During career counseling at school, I realized there wasn’t a major I truly wanted to pursue," he recalled. "When I looked at what I loved — impersonations, voice acting, mimicking others — it all pointed to acting. That’s when I set my sights on drama school."

While studying at the Korea National University of Arts in 2018, he made an unexpected appearance on MBC’s variety show "You Quiz on the Block." When asked what he wanted to be known for in the future, he confidently answered, "Actor Choo Young-woo, Choo Young-woo’s acting, Choo Young-woo’s projects."

In 2021, he officially debuted with the web drama "You Make Me Dance." Now, just six years later, he is watching his dream unfold.

And his next goal? "I just want to make people smile," he said with a warm grin. "Whether it’s through comedy or just bringing joy, I hope I can spread a little more happiness." (The Korea Times)