Actor Choi Hyun-wook has been named the seventh recipient of the "Next Actor" award at the 13th Muju Mountain Film Festival.
The Muju Mountain Film Festival's "Next Actor" program shines a spotlight on actors with a diverse range of potential, focusing on those who have shown exceptional promise. Since its inception in 2019 with actor Park Jung-min, the program has highlighted the most significant young talents of their time, including Go Ah-sung, Ahn Jae-hong, Jeon Yeo-been, Byun Yo-han, and Go Min-si, offering audiences unique experiences that have consistently garnered enthusiastic responses.
Choi Hyun-wook, selected as this year's "Next Actor," made waves in 2021 with his roles in the SBS dramas "Taxi Driver" and "Racket Boys," showcasing an impressive range from villainous characters to wholesome youth, which earned him the SBS Drama Awards' Best New Actor. Quickly rising to prominence, Choi continued to captivate audiences with his performances as the cheerful friend Moon Ji-woong in tvN's "Twenty-Five Twenty-One," the loyal fighter Ahn Su-ho in the Wavve original "Weak Hero Class 1," and the top-tier genius Seo Ho-su in the U+tv original "High Cookie" in 2023. His transformation into the 18-year-old retro boy Lee Chan in tvN's "Shining Watermelon" further solidified his status as a youth icon.
Beyond youthful roles, Choi also delved into complex emotions as the soldier Shin Ah-hwi, struggling with oppression and pain in the military in Netflix's original "D.P. Season 2." Most recently, he portrayed the mysterious and humanely deep character Ban Ju-yeon, a department head with a cold exterior, in tvN's drama "My Dearest Nemesis," leaving a strong impression on viewers once again.
The Muju Mountain Film Festival stated, "Choi Hyun-wook has consistently portrayed high school students on the brink of adulthood, showcasing an irreplaceable presence. In recent years, he has been recognized by both experts and the public as one of the most promising new actors. As of 2025, he embodies the potential of an actor capable of taking on any character and the promise of a star actor, making him one of the most anticipated 'Next Actors' in the country."
The 13th Muju Mountain Film Festival will explore Choi Hyun-wook's acting world through film screenings, audience Q&A sessions, special outdoor talks, and autograph signings. A "Next Actor" booklet, offering an in-depth look at Choi's versatile charm and acting world, will be officially published during the festival.
The 13th Muju Mountain Film Festival will take place over three days, from June 6 (Friday) to June 8 (Sunday), in Muju County.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)