Choi Dae-hoon delivers career-defining performance in 'When Life Gives You Tangerines'
Actor Choi Dae-hoon portrays Bu Sang-gil in “When Life Gives You Tangerines.” Courtesy of Ace Factory
Actor Choi Dae-hoon delivered a breakout performance in the Netflix original series “When Life Gives You Tangerines,” hailed by many as a defining moment in his career. Playing Bu Sang-gil, a gruff, foul-mouthed man, Choi brought a deeply human character to life, generating a wave of memes, fan affection and critical acclaim.
The drama follows the sweeping life stories of Ae-sun (IU), a spirited rebel from Jeju Island, and Gwan-sik (Park Bo-gum), a loyal and unwavering man. Told over four seasons of their lives, the series quickly climbed to the top of Netflix charts both in Korea and globally, resonating with viewers across generations.
In the role of Bu Sang-gil, Choi portrayed a man who charges through life, powered only by bravado. In his youth, Sang-gil is explosive and brash, navigating a world where kindness is replaced by bribery and resentment overshadows sincerity.
As the decades pass, he becomes a father who may seem selfish and immature but, in time, shows himself to be capable of humility and love when it comes to his children. Through every phase of Sang-gil’s transformation, from his 30s to his 60s, Choi inhabited the character with a natural ease that made him feel remarkably real.
His repeated, exasperated exclamation of “Hak-ssi!” became a fan-favorite line, and his expressive eyes, darting around to gauge others’ reactions, hinted at the vulnerable man behind the bluster. Even at Sang-gil’s most unlikable moments, Choi gave him depth, gradually earning viewers’ empathy.
His comedic timing, emotional restraint, and layered portrayal turned what could have been a caricature into one of the show’s most complex and relatable figures.
From bursting with confidence in his youth, shoulders squared, hands on hips, to walking with a slower, heavier gait as he aged, Sang-gil’s physicality alone told a story of time and change.
In his quiet envy of parents loved by their children, or in the childlike joy he shows while riding a bike with his wife for the first time, Choi drew out the bittersweet essence of the character. It’s a performance that made audiences laugh, tear up, and ultimately think of their own fathers.
Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik and Choi Dae-hoon as Bu Sang-gil in "When Life Gives You Tangerines" / Courtesy of Netflix
A scene-stealer
The role stands in sharp contrast to Choi’s chilling performance as a psychopath in Disney+’s "Trigger," proving his extraordinary range. Whether portraying extreme villainy or quiet vulnerability, he continues to deliver every role like a tailor-made suit.
In previous works such as "The Good Detective 2," "One Dollar Lawyer," and even special appearances in "Extraordinary Attorney Woo" and "The Secret Romantic Guesthouse," Choi has consistently elevated each project with his presence.
Now widely recognized as a scene-stealer, Choi’s reputation as one of Korea’s most versatile and compelling character actors is only growing. With Bu Sang-gil, he has created not just a memorable character but one that resonates deeply with viewers, an unpolished, flawed, yet quietly lovable portrait of a man worn down by life and softened by love.
Up next, Choi will appear in the Netflix series "The Wonder Fools," currently in production. Set in 1999 at the height of millennial doomsday fear, the comic-action series follows a group of small-town misfits who gain supernatural powers and battle a villain threatening the peace of Haeseong City.
Choi takes on the role of Son Gyeong-un, the town’s notorious troublemaker armed with imperfect powers and a maximal attitude, offering another chance for the actor to deliver a fresh and unforgettable performance.
With every project, Choi Dae-hoon continues to earn the trust of audiences, not just as a skilled actor but as one who brings heart, complexity, and truth to every role he takes on.
This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.