Actor Choo Young-woo reflects on 300 failed auditions on KBS talk show

During an appearance on KBS 'The Seasons S9', actor Choo Young-woo revealed he failed nearly all of the 200 to 300 auditions he underwent after moving to Seoul from Sejong. He also discussed competing against actor Kim Young-dae in final auditions and his upcoming role in the drama 'Between Steps'.

Actor Choo Young-woo shared the process of establishing himself as a leading actor after numerous failures and the life attitude he gained through that journey. Appearing on KBS 'The Seasons S9', Choo Young-woo began his first stage looking nervous but soon engaged in honest discourse and communicated with viewers.

300 Auditions and Moments Competing with Kim Young-dae

Mentioned as a rising actor sweeping through 2025, Choo Young-woo confessed to the period of endurance hidden behind his glamorous image. Having moved to Seoul from Sejong, Chungcheong-do, he revealed that he underwent approximately 200 to 300 auditions to walk the path of an actor. "I failed almost all of them," he recalled calmly, reflecting on the difficulties of that time.

In particular, he mentioned the regret of moments when he reached the final two candidates only to be eliminated, directly naming actor Kim Young-dae as a competitor at the time. "I think I was pushed out in the final two about three times with Kim Young-dae hyung," Choo Young-woo said, sharing vivid stories from the field of competing with actors of similar age and image. However, he showed a positive attitude regarding his current position, stating he is "grateful."

From 'Huge Roy Kim Fan' to OST Singer... The Link in His Musical Journey

Choo Young-woo is making a mark not only in acting but also in the field of music. He stated that starting with his first OST for the drama 'Oasis', he has participated in OST work every year after gaining the trust of directors. This is interpreted as a result of building trust with production teams who value the harmony between the on-set atmosphere and the songs, rather than simply due to having a good voice.

He identified himself as an ardent fan of singer Roy Kim, proving he is a "successful fan." Expressing his preference for Roy Kim's songs such as 'Nothing is Eternal in Autumn' and 'Suddenly This Christmas Day', he showed his musical affection by personally singing Roy Kim's song 'This Place, Seoul'. Amid joking reactions that he resembles Roy Kim's vocalization, he maintained a serious interest in music.

The Question Posed by Next Project 'Between Steps': "Love Requires Courage"

Talk continued regarding his new drama 'Between Steps', which recently began. In this work, which depicts the stories of engineering PhDs analyzing romance, Choo Young-woo plays a character who has never dated. Connecting the situation of his character with his own thoughts, he chose 'courage' as the virtue required for love.

"The courage to start a love, the responsible courage to continue it to the end if started, and even the courage to let go well when an end eventually comes—courage is needed for both the beginning and the end," Choo Young-woo said. Regarding his own personality, he revealed a more proactive side, different from his character, saying, "If there is someone I like, I think I could ask for their number."

From 'Vow of Love' to 'Drunken Confession', Sincerity Delivered on Stage

On this stage, Choo Young-woo chose Kim Kwang-seok's 'Drunken Confession' as his first song. He explained the reason for his selection, stating that this song is a favorite of his father. He then appeared to relax and enjoy the stage while singing a song by Roy Kim. He also shared experiences regarding Han Dong Joon's 'Vow of Love', which connects to situations in the drama, noting it is a song frequently sung as a wedding song on site.

Source: KBS WORLD TV (YouTube)