Choi Jae-rim

Choi Jae-rim (; born on April 29, 1985) is a South Korean musical theatre actor. Since making his professional debut in 2009 as Tom Collins in Rent, he has portrayed a wide range of iconic roles, including Gabe in Next to Normal, Judas Iscariot in Jesus Christ Superstar, Lola in Kinky Boots, Gringoire in Notre-Dame de Paris, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical, Radames in Aida, the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, and Jean Valjean in Les Misérables. Known for his powerful vocals, precise diction, and commanding stage presence, Choi is regarded as one of the leading figures in contemporary Korean musical theatre.

He has received multiple accolades, including the Korea Musical Award for Best Actor for his performance as Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical (2019), and Best Supporting Actor for his role as Billy Flynn in Chicago (2022).

On television, Choi has played Jung Jae-woong in Green Mothers' Club (2022), Kim Yoon-beom in Lies Hidden in My Garden (2023), and Kwon Seong-soo in A Virtuous Business (2024).

In addition to his work on stage and television, he has appeared on two televised singing competition shows: The King of Masked Singers (; aired on MBC in 2020), where he became the 41st "King of Masked Singers," and Lotto Singer (; aired on MBN from 2020 to 2021), which he won after competing against 44 other professional singers.

Early life Choi Jae-rim was born on April 29, 1985, in Suwon, South Korea, while his father was serving as a fighter pilot at Suwon Air Base. His father, Choi Mi-rak, is a retired two-star major general in the Republic of Korea Air Force. Because of his father's military career, Choi's family moved frequently. During his childhood, Choi lived in Suwon, Osan, and Cheongju, where major Air Force bases are located. He also spent about a year in Montgomery, Alabama, in the United States, near Maxwell Air Force Base. The family later relocated to Gyeryong, home to the Republic of Korea Air Force Headquarters, where Choi spent most of his youth.

Choi attended Yongnam Elementary School, Yongnam Middle School, and Yongnam High School, institutions primarily serving children from military families. He later recalled being particularly mindful of his conduct at school, as he feared that any misbehavior might reflect poorly on his father.

Raised in a devout Catholic family, Choi regularly attended church and sang in the church choir with his older brother. His involvement in church choir, alongside his mother's encouragement, influenced his decision to pursue music in higher education. He began formal vocal training during his junior year of high school and was subsequently admitted to Kyungwon University as a classical voice major, later graduating as valedictorian.

While in college, Choi completed his mandatory military service in the Republic of Korea Air Force Band as a member of the military chorus. One of his fellow chorus members was a musical theatre actor, and their long conversations sparked Choi's interest in musical theatre. After completing his service, he sought professional training and auditioned for vocal instruction at Kolleen Park’s Kyyk Musical Academy. When he was being evaluated, the audition for the 2009 Korean production of Rent was taking place in the same building. Park and members of the production staff heard Choi singing "This Is the Moment" from Jekyll & Hyde and, impressed by his powerful voice, cast him as Tom Collins despite his lack of musical-theatre experience. The role became his professional stage debut and brought him early recognition in the South Korean musical theatre community.

Stage Musical

Opera Year Production Role Venue Dates Notes 2014 Rita Gaspar Chungmu Arts Center Theater Black November 8–9, 2014 Original Korean cast 2015 November 11–15, 2015 2016 October 28 – November 6, 2016

Play Year Production Role Venue Dates Notes 2017Guards at the Taj Humayun Daemyung Culture Factory Lifeway Hall August 1 – October 15, 2017 Original Korean cast 2025 LG Art Center Seoul U+ Stage November 12, 2025 - January 4, 2026

Filmography Television series + Year Title Role Notes 2022 Green Mothers' Club Jung Jae-woong Small screen debut 2023 Lies Hidden in My Garden Kim Yoon-beom 2024 A Virtuous Business Kwon Seong-soo 2026 The East Palace Royal guard

Television shows + Year Title Role Notes 2010 Qualifications of Men Choir Audition Judge / Vocal Trainer 2020 The King of Masked Singers Contestant Won and became the 41st "King of Masked Singers" 2020 - 2021 Lotto Singer Contestant Winner

Awards and nominations