Actor Son Seok-koo named his longtime friend Choi Hee-seo as the benefactor who changed his acting career. Son said that, at Choi’s suggestion, he had saved up 1 million won each to produce a play, and that a casting director for “Sense8” who watched it noticed him, leading to an acting opportunity. He expressed gratitude to the friend who built his career.
In Episode 8 of SBS’s “Will You Do Anything? – Secretariat,” broadcast on the 23rd, Lee Seo-jin and Kim Gwang-gyu transformed into Son Seok-koo’s managers as they accompanied him through his Busan International Film Festival schedule.
That day, ahead of a stage greeting at the Busan International Film Festival, Son Seok-koo revealed his special bond with fellow actress Choi Hee-seo. “I am doing a stage greeting with actress Choi Hee-seo,” he said, introducing her as “a longtime friend.”
He then added, “I do anything Hee-seo asks me to do. Things go well when I listen to her,” revealing his exceptional trust in Choi Hee-seo.
Son Seok-koo emphasized that Choi Hee-seo had a decisive impact on his acting career. “Hee-seo first gained public attention with the film ‘Dongju’,” he said, recalling the period when Choi Hee-seo was already known as an actress. He continued, “At a time when she had won Best Actress and things were going well for her, one day she asked me, ‘Don’t just stay home—do you have 1 million won?’”
At the time, Choi Hee-seo proposed to Son Seok-koo that they save money and produce a play themselves. “She said we should save up 3 million won and try producing a play,” Son recalled, noting that they actually made a play together. The purpose of that play differed from performances aimed at general audiences.
“The purpose of the play was not to show it to audiences, but to screen it for film industry people,” Son explained. He added, “Hee-seo is an incredibly smart person. Most people wouldn’t think of that,” marveling at Choi Hee-seo’s planning ability.
A casting director for the Netflix series “Sense8” who attended the play’s screening at the time also cast Son Seok-koo.
“The ‘Sense8’ casting director came to that play screening, and I got cast,” Son said. “She is truly a grateful benefactor,” expressing his gratitude toward Choi Hee-seo.
However, Son Seok-koo had not even considered auditioning for “Sense8.” “In fact, I initially said I wouldn’t go to the ‘Sense8’ audition, but Hee-seo immediately scolded me. She always has a good instinct,” he said, repeatedly expressing gratitude to Choi Hee-seo for actively guiding him.
Kim Gwang-gyu, who was listening, joked, “She is totally manager material. I should show her a good performance when I go today,” drawing laughter.
Later, Son Seok-koo did not forget to thank Choi Hee-seo during the stage greeting at the Busan International Film Festival either. “There is no other actress I am this grateful to besides Hee-seo,” he said, adding, “I do anything Hee-seo asks me to do,” demonstrating his unwavering trust.
In particular, Son Seok-koo stated, “She is the one who created my career,” emphasizing the impact Choi Hee-seo had on his life as an actor. He then added, “I want to say thank you to my friend once again,” publicly expressing his gratitude.
in ENTERTAINMENT
