Son Suk-ku credits Choi Hee-seo for life-changing career opportunities

Actor Son Suk-ku revealed on the 23rd that his long-time friend Choi Hee-seo was the benefactor who helped him secure a role in the Netflix drama 'Sense8' after she encouraged him to produce a stage play.

Actor Son Suk-ku has expressed extraordinary gratitude toward Choi Hee-seo, who guided him toward the path of acting during his unknown years. Demonstrating deep trust by stating, "I'll do anything if Hee-seo tells me to," he revealed that Choi's advice was present during every decisive moment that changed his life. In particular, the story of how a stage play produced with just 1 million won led to his casting in the global drama 'Sense8' highlights the special bond between the two.

During the broadcast of the SBS entertainment program 'Whatever You Wish – Secretary Jin' on the 23rd, Son Suk-ku appeared as a guest and shared the ups and downs he experienced before establishing himself as an actor. Reflecting on his acting career while traveling for the Busan International Film Festival, he revealed that he debuted as an actor at a relatively late age. Son stated, "I debuted in my mid-to-late thirties," prompting surprise from Lee Seo-jin, who remarked, "It is not easy to debut at that age and succeed. Didn't people try to stop you?"

Son admitted there was significant opposition from those around him. Recalling a time when he nearly gave up on the path of acting, he said, "They tried to stop me a lot, and I also intended to quit." He explained, "Just before I quit, something happened, and I've continued until now." The catalyst was the Netflix drama 'Sense8'. After joining the production through an audition, he built public recognition through works such as 'My Liberation Notes' and the movie 'The Roundup', eventually reaching his current position. However, Son did not attribute his success solely to his own efforts, naming his long-time friend Choi Hee-seo as the person who played a decisive role in the process.

“Hee-seo and I are long-time friends. Even now, I'll do anything if Hee-seo tells me to. If I listen to her, everything goes well,” Son said. While the expression may sound like a joke, it demonstrates the immense trust he places in Choi Hee-seo. Not only was Choi recognized as an actress first, but she was also the person who pushed him to act on his own potential. Son recalled that his friend's judgment and sense actually brought changes to his life.

Their connection dates back to before Son had achieved clear success as an actor. Son revealed that he watched from home as Choi Hee-seo gained fame and won a Best Actress award for the movie 'Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet'. At that time, while Choi was already achieving success as an actress, Son was still contemplating his career path. To him, Choi suggested that he should not just stay at home but instead produce a stage play together. Son recounted that Choi said, "Oppa, don't just stay at home; if you have 1 million won, let's produce a stage play together using 3 million won."

Choi's suggestion was not merely about creating an opportunity to take the stage. Son explained that the purpose of producing the play was not just to gather a large audience, but to invite industry professionals he had met while filming movies to watch the performance. He highly praised Choi's planning abilities, calling it "extremely smart." Instead of waiting for an opportunity to be known as an actor, they created the work themselves and arranged a chance to show their acting to the people they met in the process. Choi's proposal contained a strategic judgment to connect Son's potential to actual opportunities.

This stage play ultimately became the decisive turning point in Son's life. A casting director for 'Sense8' attended the play's showcase at the time, which led to Son joining the production. "The 'Sense8' casting director came to the play showcase back then, and that is how I was cast. She is my benefactor," Son said. Given that without Choi's proposal, there might not have been the opportunity to make the play or the chance to show his acting to casting professionals, it remains an unforgettable moment for him.

Even more surprising is that Son was not actively pursuing the 'Sense8' audition from the beginning. He revealed that he intended not to audition, but Choi Hee-seo strongly encouraged him. Son said, "I got scolded by Hee-seo," noting that she persuaded him by saying, "See, it looks like it will work," and "It looks like it will work. I have a feeling." He added, "She really has that kind of temperament." Even at a moment when he could not be certain of his own potential, his friend recognized it first and led him to take action.

Listening to the story, Kim Kwang-kyu reacted by saying, "I should go and show her my best side today," drawing laughter. The anecdote shared by Son showed that beyond a long friendship, recognizing a colleague's potential and connecting it to actual opportunities can create significant change. Believing in someone's talent goes beyond mere encouragement; sometimes it leads to concrete actions like persuading a hesitant person, creating the stage themselves, and standing them before those who can recognize that potential.

Son also recalled being selected alongside Choi Hee-seo in a newcomer training program at the Busan International Film Festival in the past. About 15 years have passed since they filmed a movie together and returned to the Busan International Film Festival. He confessed, "I came back after 15 years because I filmed a movie with Hee-seo. It feels very new to be back after filming a movie for over ten years. It brings back many old memories, and I am grateful to Hee-seo." The experience of returning to the film festival as an actor after spending their rookie days together seemed to hold special meaning for him.

Son added warmth to the occasion by publicly declaring Choi Hee-seo to be the benefactor who changed his life during a stage greeting. Looking back at the process—from his late debut and the struggle before nearly quitting to the unexpected casting opportunity—it is evident that his gratitude toward Choi goes beyond simple friendship. Choi was a colleague who prepared specific opportunities so that Son could continue his path as an actor, and Son has not forgotten that help even after a long time has passed.

After beginning his full-scale acting career with the 2017 American drama 'Sense8' Season 2, Son built his filmography through appearances in tvN's 'Mother', 'Designated Survivor: 60 Days', and JTBC's 'Be Melodramatic'. He later gained widespread popularity as 'My Liberation Notes' on JTBC and the movie 'The Roundup' gained attention in 2022. While he has now become an actor who exerts presence in various works, his starting point was the advice and actions of a friend who believed in him. Son's confession, "I'll do anything if Choi Hee-seo tells me to," was both an expression of long-standing friendship and a sincere thank you to the person who provided the decisive opportunities of his life.

Read the original (Korean)