“You are too ugly. Reciting is not for you.” That was the hard verdict of an audition panel. A girl remained there, full of dreams, just to meet with a frozen refusal.
But instead of collapsing, he resisted – with even more love for acting – and became a famous actress who ultimately embellished the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival.
That girl is Chun Woo-Hee.
Humble beginnings with a hot heart
Born in Iicheon, South Korea, Chun Woo-Hee grew up with a vasaio father and a mother who managed a restaurant. His childhood from the ground has gained his affectionate nicknames between fans as “heir of the spoon of rice” and “second generation rice thief”, thanks to his healthy image and his education.
It was also a student of models – always president of the class or school leader – is recognized at the beginning for his sense of responsibility and character.
The spark on stage
Chun discovered acting for the first time when he joined a theater club in high school, simply tagging with a friend. That first experience on the stage seemed strange but fascinating. She knew instantly: this was her path.
Fight beauty standards
However, the way to become an actress was brutally hard. Although his acting skills were praised, he was often told that he didn’t seem like a star. “You are not cute enough”, “you don’t have the right face for this”…
Instead of letting those words crush it, he replied with a smile, “I have to be destined for great things if I hear things like this.”
He even coined the term “Woo-Hee mentality” to describe his ability to transform negativity into motivation.
A revolutionary role in “Sunny”
His moment of breakout came with the film “Sunny”, where he played the unbridled character Sang-Mi. His intensity has attracted the attention of the Korean film industry, with a crew member who wrote a letter to her, “please becomes Gary Oldman of Korea”.
That message lit a fire in her and her determination to never stop acting.
Get on Cannes with “The Wailing”
Her chilling performance like the mysterious woman in “The Wailing” left the spectators fascinated. The enigmatic role has triggered a widespread interpretation and has further demonstrated her versatility as an actress.
Now two decades in his career, Chun Woo-Hee still says: “I think I can become an even better actress”. And with every new role, it continues to demonstrate this.
From hearing “you are too ugly to act” to splendid critics and fan with his talent and his emotional depth, Chun Woo-Hee ‘journey is a powerful history of inner strength, resilience and unwavering passion.
