Namkoong Min says Choi Jin-sil opened his path to acting

Namkoong Min spoke about his connection with the late Choi Jin-sil on KBS2's variety show Problem Child in House, which aired on the 10th. Appearing as a guest, Namkoong said Choi was the person who helped open his path into acting.

During the program, Namkoong looked back on becoming an actor who won acting grand prizes three times for Stove League, The Veil and My Dearest. He said he studied mechanical engineering and had aimed to become a researcher at a large company, but the field did not suit him and he gave up on graduating.

Namkoong said a TV notice became a turning point. He recalled, 'I saw the MBC open recruitment notice for talent and thought about applying. People around me also suggested that I try acting.'

He said his first attempt did not work out. Namkoong said, 'I took profile photos and applied for the open recruitment, but I was rejected right away,' adding that his heart pounded when he went to the broadcasting station and that his interest in acting led him to start with small roles.

Namkoong said he later met Choi during an advertising shoot. He said Choi was the main model at the time while he filmed the commercial as a supporting model, and that Choi introduced him to a manager through that connection, allowing him to begin acting work in earnest.

He said, 'The person who opened the path to acting for me was Choi Jin-sil.' Namkoong also recalled on another broadcast that Choi had a human warmth, saying she was very warm and did not feel like a celebrity.

Namkoong also discussed comments he heard early in his career. He said one industry figure told him, 'You can never become a lead,' and when he said he wanted to become a lead the next year, the person told him he was too old.

Asked about his parents' response, Namkoong said they used to worry about his acting but now watch his work comfortably. The cast responded that if family members can watch comfortably, it means the acting is truly good.