Choi Jin-hyuk

Choi Jin-hyuk (; born Kim Tae-ho, February 9, 1986) is a South Korean actor. He gained attention for his supporting roles in Gu Family Book and The Heirs (2013), and then went on to star in lead roles in Emergency Couple (2014), Pride and Prejudice (2014–2015), Tunnel (2017), Devilish Charm (2018), The Last Empress (2018–2019), and Rugal (2020).

Career

Kim Tae-ho launched his acting career after he won the grand prize in the KBS reality talent show Survival Star Audition in 2006. He began using the stage name Choi Jin-hyuk in 2010, prior to the airing of family drama It's Okay, Daddy's Girl, in which he was cast in his first leading role. He also starred in the romantic comedies I Need Romance (2011), and Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog (2012). Choi made his big-screen debut in the romance film Love Clinique.

His breakout came in 2013 after a well-received appearance on fantasy-period drama Gu Family Book. Afterwards, Choi landed supporting roles in two high-profile projects: writer Kim Eun-sook's trendy drama The Heirs, and the action film The Divine Move. His costar in The Divine Move, Jung Woo-sung also directed him in the short film Beginning of a Dream (Choi had joined Jung's agency Red Brick House).

In 2014, he headlined his first miniseries, the cable romantic comedy/medical drama Emergency Couple. Choi then returned to network television with a supporting role in You Are My Destiny, a remake of the 2008 Taiwanese drama. Another leading role followed with the legal drama Pride and Prejudice. He was also cast in a minor role in the Japanese film Koisuru Vampire ("Vampire in Love").

Choi went on a hiatus from acting when he enlisted for mandatory military service on March 31, 2015. He had the option to join the Seoul Police Promotional Team, the theater unit under the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, but choose to serve as an active duty soldier. He was discharged from the army after just seven months due to a knee injury.

Choi made his return with the crime thriller Tunnel, which was a hit in China. In 2018, he was cast in the romantic comedy drama Devilish Charm, and mystery thriller series The Last Empress.

In 2019, Choi was cast in the thriller drama Justice.

In 2020, Choi starred in the science fiction action drama Rugal and Zombie Detective. He also made a special appearance in TVN smash-hit drama Mr. Queen as an arrogant and flirty chef whose soul was trapped in Shin Hye-sun's body back in the Joseon era. He also lends his voice to Shin Hye-sun's character's inner thought for first 7 episodes. In February 2023, he also held a fan-meeting event in Taiwan. In October 2023, he signed with Workaholic Entertainment.

In November 2024, Choi made his first fan-meeting concert in the Philippines, at the New Frontier Theater. Prior to the event, he also appeared on a Filipino television variety show.

In 2026, Choi starred in Channel A's romantic comedy television series Positively Yours opposite Oh Yeon-seo. It is based on the Naver Webtoon of the same name by Lee Jung about a couple averse to marriage until a one-night stand changes their plans.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 2012 Love Clinique Park Min-soo 2013 Beginning of a Dream Kim Jun-su Short film 2014 The Divine Move Sun-soo 2015 Koisuru Vampire Mike

Television series Year Title Role Notes 2006 Rainbow Romance High school student Bit part 2006–2007 Just Run! Lee Hyuk-jin 2007 Drama City: "A Neighborhood for Young People" Kim Byung-yong 2007–2008 Belle Oh Jae-hyuk 2008 Nine-tailed Fox Hyo-moon 2008–2009 My Precious You Ha Dong-woo 2009 Come with Me to Hell Lee Rang 2010 Pasta Sunwoo Deok 2010–2011 It's Okay, Daddy's Girl Choi Hyuk-ki 2011 I Need Romance Bae Sung-hyun 2011–2012 My Daughter the Flower Gu Sang-hyuk 2012 Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog Choi Won-il 2013 Gu Family Book Gu Wol-ryung The Heirs Kim Won 2014 Emergency Couple Oh Chang-min Flower Grandpa Investigation Unit young Lee Joon-hyuk Cameo You Are My Destiny Daniel Pitt 2014–2015 Pride and Prejudice Gu Dong-chi 2017 Tunnel Park Gwang-ho 2018 Devilish Charm Gong Ma-seong 2018–2019 The Last Empress Na Wang-sik / Cheon Woo-Bin 2019 Justice Lee Tae-kyung Flower Crew: Joseon Marriage Agency Military Officer Cameo (Episode 5) 2020 Rugal Kang Ki-Beom Zombie Detective Kim Moo-young 2020–2021 Mr. Queen Jang Bong-hwan Cameo 2021 KBS Drama Special: "Siren" Choi Tae-seung 2023 Numbers Han Seung-jo 2024 Miss Night and Day Gye Ji-woong 2026 Positively Yours Kang Doo-joon

Television shows Year Title Role Notes 2006 Survival Star Audition Contestant 2010 Star Photographer Tanssaenggi - Passionate Force Cast member 2013 MBC 10th Anniversary Special: From Dae Jang Geum to I Am a Singer Host 2019My Ugly Duckling Special host Episode 162 2021–present Special cast Episode 234–265, 293–present 2024 It's Showtime Guest Philippine variety show

Music video appearances Year Title Artist 2012 "Even If I Choke Up" T.G.U.S. 2013 "Sad Song" Tae One

Discography Singles Title Year Album "Enough to Die" 2011 It's Okay, Daddy's Girl OST "Inverted Love" 2012 Miss Panda and Mr. Hedgehog OST "Best Wishes to You" 2013 Gu Family Book OST "Don't Look Back" The Heirs OST "Scent of a Flower" 2014 Emergency Couple OST "The Love I Tried To Forget" 2018 Devilish Charm OST

Awards and nominations