Choi Woo-shik is a Canadian actor based in South Korea who has become one of the most internationally recognized Korean stars of his generation, thanks to his standout performances in critically acclaimed films such as Parasite and Train to Busan. Born on March 26, 1990, in Seoul, South Korea, he moved to Canada with his family at a young age, settling in Vancouver, British Columbia. He attended the University of British Columbia before deciding to pursue acting, returning to South Korea to enroll at Chung-Ang University's theater program. His multicultural background and fluency in both English and Korean have since become valuable assets in his career.

Choi Woo-shik made his acting debut in 2011 with a supporting role in the television series The Duo, but his early career was marked by smaller parts in both film and television. He first began to gain recognition for his leading role in the independent film Set Me Free (2014), which earned him critical praise and several Best New Actor awards. He followed this with a memorable performance in the romantic comedy television series Hogu's Love (2015), where he played the title character, a naive and earnest deliveryman. These early roles showcased his versatility and natural screen presence, setting the stage for his breakout.

Choi Woo-shik’s international breakthrough came in 2016 with his role as Yong-guk, a young baseball player, in the zombie thriller Train to Busan. The film was a massive commercial and critical success, becoming the highest-grossing film in South Korea that year and earning a global following. His performance, which balanced youthful bravado with moments of genuine vulnerability, resonated with audiences worldwide. This success was followed by a series of notable projects, including the well-reviewed film Okja (2017), directed by Bong Joon-ho, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and further raised his international profile.

The defining moment of Choi Woo-shik’s career arrived in 2019 when he starred as Kim Ki-woo in Bong Joon-ho’s masterpiece Parasite. The film became a global phenomenon, winning the Palme d'Or at Cannes and later the Academy Award for Best Picture, among numerous other accolades. Choi Woo-shik’s portrayal of the resourceful and increasingly desperate young man at the center of the film’s social satire was widely praised for its nuance and emotional depth. This role cemented his status as a leading actor of his generation and opened doors to a wider international audience.

Following the historic success of Parasite, Choi Woo-shik continued to build an impressive filmography. He starred in the romantic comedy-drama series Our Beloved Summer (2021–2022), which became a major hit for its charming story and his chemistry with co-star Kim Da-mi. He also took on a leading role in the crime thriller The Policeman's Lineage (2022) and appeared in the sci-fi drama Wonderland (2024). In 2024, he headlined the Netflix original series A Killer Paradox, a dark comedy thriller that showcased his range in a more complex, morally ambiguous role. Choi Woo-shik remains one of the most sought-after actors in South Korea, known for his ability to move seamlessly between blockbuster films, independent cinema, and popular television dramas, and his career continues to evolve with each new project.