'You Quiz on the Block' actress Choi Ji-soo spoke about the hardships she endured after 11 years of obscurity as her name and face became known.
On the 18th broadcast of tvN 'You Quiz on the Block' (hereinafter 'You Quiz'), Choi Ji-soo, who appeared in the drama 'Undercover Miss Hong' and played Nora, the daughter of Lee Duk-hwa and Byun Jung-soo, appeared. Choi Ji-soo appeared with the same curly hairstyle as her character in the drama, adding to her charm.
Actress Choi Ji-soo said, "After the wrap-up party I called Park Shin-hye. I was crying but unni was laughing," showing she couldn't get over the lingering feelings from the drama. She said with a bright smile, "I started as an extra in high school and have been living as an actress for 11 years."
Choi Ji-soo wanted to act since she was young. But during the IMF era depicted in the drama, her mother, who worked at a bank, lost her job and the family became financially strained. Choi Ji-soo said, "I wanted so much to go to the arts high school. The uniform and tuition were expensive, and I thought it would hurt my heart more if I said anything and my father said, 'I don't think I can send you,' so I just said it was okay. But I really wanted to study acting in college. So I asked them to help me just once. That's how I got into college."
Choi Ji-soo then started various part-time jobs. She did everything from mascot costumes, working at a logistics center, a singer's photo card factory, restaurants, to dancing in a kids' cafe character outfit. Perhaps because her talent couldn't be hidden, she became the most popular performer at the kids' cafe stage shows, and shop owners rehired her for her special diligence. Even during her unknown years she planned her part-time job schedule down to the minute.
Choi Ji-soo said, "Sometimes when I encountered rude customers I would act cheerfully and then go home and cry. I'd pull my mask up to the top of my head and cry on the subway. One semester's tuition is 4.5 million won. I attended school for six to seven years. My student loans reached 50 million won. I kept getting texts telling me to start paying, and from then on I felt like I was in debt." She said she couldn't stop working part-time. Moreover, her graduation was delayed by the ironic pattern of losing roles when she took a leave of absence and gaining roles when she returned.
Landing a major role came with this work. Choi Ji-soo said, "My first filming scene is eating a hamburger with Park Shin-hye. I was so nervous going there I wanted to faint. I hoped Park Shin-hye would have a schedule and not come; I was so scared," and said,
Choi Ji-soo said with a wide smile, "If I take a leave of absence I have no money, and if I return I get work. Still, this May I will pay off all my student loans." Above all, she said she wants to achieve for her parents what they wanted and what she could not learn. She said proudly, "I worked yesterday and I'll work tomorrow. Mothers recognized me. They'd say, 'What would a rich family's daughter be doing~' Now I work at a huge restaurant in Jamsil. There I wash dishes, pour coffee, pour beer, and fry chicken."
When Yu Jae-seok suggested she say a word to broadcasting officials, Choi Ji-soo smiled brightly and said, "There are many rookie actors who work hard at part-time jobs and run toward their dreams like me, so please discover them."
[Photo channel] tvN channel 'You Quiz on the Block' broadcast screen capture
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