Choi Woo-shik (Fight My Way) has signed onto film director Park Hoon-jung’s latest project Witch. It’s about a female high school student who has been raised by an old couple who adopted her when she was young after she’s in an accident that caused her to lose all her memories. When a mysterious person appears, questions about her past come to the surface. Choi Woo-shik has confirmed that he’ll play a leading role, but specifics on his character have not been released.
Because of the vague synopsis, the movie could go in any number of ways, but I’m expecting an edge-of-your-seat dark thriller element. Director Park Hoon-jung’s filmography, which includes the blockbuster action films New World and VIP, tends toward movies that show the gritty underside of the human condition. As for Choi Woo-shik, I know he’ll have no problem adapting to any range of characters that he may receive. He can play anything from self-serving slimeball (You’re All Surrounded) to adorably naive puppy (Ho-gu’s Love) with a unique flair that makes his characters believable, which is why he’s one of my favorite actors from the younger generation.
He’s definitely been more successful in the film world, having had an explosive start with his indie coming-of-age movie Set Me Free, for which he received many awards, followed by box office hit Train to Busan. Personally, I’ve enjoyed most of his drama appearances as well, though most have been secondary or guest characters. Argh, I really want him to be the main lead in a drama so I can watch him for more than two hours every couple months. He does have the travel drama The Package with Lee Yeon-hee coming up soon, where he’s set to become the heartbreaking object of my second lead syndrome.
Choi Woo-shik is scheduled to begin filming for Witch, which has a tentative premiere date for 2018, after he finishes wrapping up his work for Joseon sageuk movie Strange Object.