Choi Min-sik returns in Netflix thriller ‘Notes from the Last Row’

Veteran actor Choi Min-sik, left, and rising star Choi Hyun-wook pose during a press conference for Netflix series "Notes from the Last Row" at Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery, Wednesday. Yonhap

Veteran actor Choi Min-sik is set to delve into the intricate layers of human nature in his highly anticipated Netflix project "Notes from the Last Row."

The psychological suspense drama centers on Heo Mun-oh (Choi), a failed writer and Korean literature professor. His life takes a sharp turn when he uncovers the raw genius of Lee Kang (Choi Hyun-wook), a mysterious student who sits in the very back row of his classroom.

Choi Min-sik, celebrated globally for his powerhouse performances in "Exhuma" (2024) and "Big Bet" (2022), masterfully portrays Mun-oh, a professor consumed by a deep sense of inferiority.

"I found myself yearning for a project imbued with a rich literary fragrance," Choi said during a press conference at the Hotel Naru Seoul MGallery, Wednesday. "While there are plenty of highly popular and entertaining shows these days, I felt this script really gave the audience room to think. People might find Mun-oh's flaws hitting a bit too close to home, allowing viewers to see themselves in him."

He added, "The message of the piece and the dynamic between the teacher and student might seem a bit far removed from current trends, but that’s exactly what felt so refreshing about it."

Choi Min-sik is seen in a scene from Netflix series "Notes from the Last Row." Courtesy of Netflix

The story takes off when Mun-oh, frustrated by his unfulfilled dreams, starts private literature lessons with Kang. The young student's brilliant writing brings back the professor's lost passion for creativity.

Describing his character, Choi noted, "Envy and inferiority are universal human traits, but Mun-oh experiences them to an agonizing degree. To ensure his trajectory felt authentic, I adhered strictly to the script while engaging in exhaustive dialogues with the creative team to meticulously sculpt his internal world."

Director Kim Gyu-tae — revered for his delicate, incisive explorations of human psychology in dramas like "Our Blues" (2022) and "The Trunk" (2024) — shared how the material captivated him.

"The moment I laid eyes on the script, it had this unpredictable power that left me dying to know what happens next. I read the entire thing in one sitting, without stopping," he said. "I was incredibly drawn to it because it seamlessly blends mainstream entertainment value with literary depth."

At the heart of the drama's success is the chemistry between its leads, as Choi Hyun-wook delivers a mesmerizing performance as the enigmatic student.

"Choi is an actor whose very gaze radiates suspense. He possesses a rare, tranquil intensity that effortlessly commands tension. On set, the moment the camera rolled, he underwent a startling transformation, unleashing a volatile energy and showing absolute immersion. His ceiling as an actor is truly limitless," the director said.

Choi said, "I was instantly drawn to Lee Kang because he is a character of profound restraint, yet harbors so many complex, hidden layers." He added, "Throughout production, I was utterly captivated and at times overwhelmed by Choi Min-sik’s fierce, tiger-like screen presence. If not for his incredible guidance and mirroring energy, I could never have realized the depth of Lee Kang."

Kim said he wanted the series to evoke a sense of classic elegance. "My focus was not on superficial aesthetics but on the raw geography of the characters' emotions and psychological warfare. It is a dense, powerful piece designed to linger in the mind long after the screen goes dark," he said.

Choi Min-sik noted the show's poetic allure. "It is a series best experienced in the quiet hours of the night, turned over like the pages of a beloved, heavy book. It will not leave you with a sense of easy comfort. Instead, it demands that you ponder the very essence of human nature and the complexities of life," he said.

The six-part drama will premiere in its entirety on Netflix, June 26.