Actor Choo Young-woo (26) took off his hanbok and put on a doctor's gown.
The Netflix series 'Trauma Center' tells the thrilling story of genius surgeon Baek Kang-hyuk (played by Jo Ji-hoon) who is assigned to revive a virtually non-existent trauma team. It is based on a popular webtoon of the same name, created by director Lee Do-yoon, who directed the film 'Good Friends', and writer Choi Tae-gang of 'Adamas'.
Recently rising to fame through the drama 'Ok-ssi's Lady', Choo Young-woo played the role of elite fellow Yang Jae-won in 'Trauma Center'. Although 'Ok-ssi's Lady' was released first, the filming for 'Trauma Center' took place earlier.
On the release date, the 24th, Choo Young-woo met in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, and said about 'Trauma Center', "I was happy throughout the filming, and I was really nervous because I love the movie 'Good Friends' by my favorite senior, director Lee Do-yoon, but it was a happy set." He added, "I usually keep up with webtoons, so I waited a week to watch it. There aren't many medical-related webtoons, but I found it interesting. I heard the script came to the company, and since it was with director Lee Do-yoon and senior Jo Ji-hoon from 'Good Friends', I said I wanted to do it no matter what."
He continued, "I watched it before it was released. I was very worried, but they edited it beautifully. So I am quite confident. To be honest, it's not about the appearance. Since I was on duty for 24 hours, I couldn't wash up well, and saving lives was the priority, so I filmed naturally without makeup to show that side. That aspect helped me in my acting," revealing his excitement before the release.
Regarding the similarity with Yang Jae-won, he said, "A person's behavior changes depending on their position. In 'Trauma Center', I was 99% similar to Yang Jae-won. I listened to the people around me and moved quickly. No matter how tired I was, I was the first to get up from the chair and ran without hesitation. I didn't go to the military, but I moved like a soldier," which drew laughter.
Previously naming Jo Ji-hoon as his role model, Choo Young-woo expressed his admiration, saying, "It all started with 'Goong'. When I was a preschooler, I watched the drama with my cousin that featured my senior. I thought the movie 'Along with the Gods' was cool, and I have seen works like 'Good Friends' and 'Asura' since I was young. My senior has played many characters that a man would admire at least once. I also want to do a work like 'Good Friends' that captures the deep friendship among men, just like my senior."
In particular, he mentioned that studying the script for 7-8 hours with Jo Ji-hoon, Ha Young, and Jung Jae-gwang before filming was very helpful.
Choo Young-woo said, "We had time to talk and get to know each other. I think my senior wanted to see what kind of person I am. He observed what I like and what makes me uncomfortable in my personal life, and I think he figured out what I can and cannot do. Even though my senior has a busy schedule and many things to do, he carefully observed and told me, 'You can do this too,' and I was grateful for that."
He added, "Since I am still inexperienced in acting, when I made mistakes, my senior lightened the mood with playful jokes. Since this is my first Netflix original, I felt a heavy sense of responsibility, but it was also a great support. I just had to follow Baek Kang-hyuk. Just like the line that says if I follow the professor's footsteps, I can become a doctor who saves people, I tried hard to follow my senior well."
He also mentioned, "Being with my senior gave me confidence. As long as the direction is right, I realized that it’s okay to do as much as I can. I learned that if I analyze the character and situation well and am confident in my character, it won't be over the top. There were times when I wondered if I could act like this, but my senior encouraged me to try, which was a great help."
He continued, "In 'Ok-ssi's Lady', Cheon Seung-hwi has a lot of flamboyant moments, and I was worried that since the male lead is a man, he should maintain his dignity, but I persuaded the director. Later, the director said after watching the edited version that I created a three-dimensional character that he hadn't thought of just by reading the script. That was the best compliment as an actor. I felt proud and grateful," confessing how he was able to grow.
Rising to fame through 'Ok-ssi's Lady', Choo Young-woo said, "I am very happy. Last year, I was running without a break, but this year, I am receiving attention and love, and I am energized for the projects I am filming. The director texted me saying, 'Thanks to you, the promotion is going well,'" and added, "I thought about checking the audience's reactions but couldn't. I laughed a lot at the comments on Instagram."
When asked if he felt the popularity, he replied, "Just the fact that I am doing this interview is one thing. It's the first time people have told me they enjoyed watching it. Not long ago, after the production presentation, my fans were waiting for me. I was so surprised and grateful that I signed for each one of them. They came to see me, so it was hard to let them go without saying anything," smiling.
Recently, it became a hot topic that Choo Young-woo's father is top model Choo Seung-il from the 1990s, and his mother is fashion model Kang Seong-jin. His younger brother Cha Jeong-woo (stage name) also appeared in 'Ok-ssi's Lady' recently.
Choo Young-woo said, "My father asked what on earth is going on. My parents tend to view my works and activities objectively, but since they have worked in the arts, they give me a lot of helpful advice and are happy. They said they enjoyed watching 'Ok-ssi's Lady' and are looking forward to 'Trauma Center'." He added, "I heard my father called a lot. Senior Hong Seok-cheon, who is friends with my father, also called me after filming 'The Jewelry Box'. He said my father is older than him, so he calls him 'hyung'. When I see my father contacting his old friends, I feel like I did well, but I also feel sorry that it might bother him when he goes out."
When asked if he inherited his father's charisma, he jokingly replied, "I think I inherited more of my mother's charisma. I resemble my mother in being affectionate, gentle, and a pacifist. My father is closer to Baek Kang-hyuk."
Choo Young-woo, who debuted in the web drama 'You Make Me Dance' in 2021, has built his filmography by appearing in dramas such as 'Police Class', 'School 2021', 'Opening - Babel Syndrome', 'Accidentally on the Farm', and 'Oasis'.
He said, "I am glad I chose to act," and added, "When I went to university, when I joined an agency, and when I did my first work and came out into the world, it was the same. Recently, I watched 'Ok-ssi's Lady' with fans at an event in a movie theater, and I was happy. 'Trauma Center' will remain a turning point and a valuable time for me. Since it hasn't been released yet, I can't dare to know people's reactions, but I think it will remain my most beloved work. Since Jae-won resembles people of our age, I feel attached and affectionate. I think I will miss it a lot," smiling.
[Yang So-young, Star Today Reporter]
