CJWFC

These days, hundreds of Korean celebrities enjoy global popularity thanks to streaming and social media. But long before the likes of Netflix and Facebook existed, Choi Ji-woo was among an elite number of Korean actors to enjoy Pan-Asian stardom. Credited as one of the early driving forces behind the Hallyu wave, Choi Ji-woo’s legendary beauty and empathetic acting in the melodramas “Beautiful Days” (2001), “Winter Sonata” (2002), and “Stairway to Heaven” (2003) captivated fans throughout the region and beyond. “Winter Sonata,” in particular, launched her and co-star Bae Yong-joon’s popularity to stratospheric levels. The drama is so iconic that its filming location, Nami Island, has become a popular tourist destination and pilgrimage site for k-drama fans who come to have their photos taken by the statue of the two stars. Choi Ji-woo’s early Pan-Asian success led her to acting projects in both China (“101st Proposal”) and Japan (“Rondo”), requiring her to reside abroad for several years. Upon her return to Korea, she continued to actively appear in films, dramas (“Suspicious Housekeeper,” 2013; “Temptation,” 2014”) and eventually even expand to variety programs (“Grandpas Over Flowers,” 2015; “Coffee Friends,” 2019), all the while receiving love from her loyal, adoring audiences. While it may be hard to find DVD copies of her early work (that’s how you know she’s been around so long!), you can stream the newer dramas of this OG Hallyu Goddess on Netflix (“Second 20s”) and Viu (“Woman with a Suitcase”). You can also catch her hilarious cameo as herself in "Crash Landing On You," a nod to her "Stairway to Heaven" character! These days, she relishes her new real-life role as a mother to an adorable baby girl! Happy Birthday, Choi Ji-woo!

 

 

 

 

 

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