Nov 7, 2008

Reminiscing the memories of Choi Jin Shil: “The Nation's Actress”


It was on Oct. 2, 2008 when a shocking news about this famous actress hit TV screens at that day. She was found dead at her home leaving her two kids. Her death also started rumors and speculations regarding money matter related to Ahn Jae-hwan who died September the same year, another suicide case. Many has been said about her life as a star. But, this time, let’s reminisce to the early years of her life.

Choi Jin-sil was the first child of her parents Choi Guk-hyeon and Jeong Ok-sun in Seoul, South Korea on December 24, 1968. Contrary to what some people have thought, she was never been born with a silver spoon in her mouth. In fact, people used to call her "Choisujebi" because she used to eat sujebi (Korean dumpling soup) everyday instead of an ordinary wealthy meal.

Her poverty has never been a hindrance to become one of the highest paid model and actress in Korea. After she graduated high school, she debuted as a TV actress for a historical drama sponsored by a major South Korean television company called MBC (Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation). The major break for her career started when Samsung Electronics chose her as an endorser. Thus the gateway to stardom opened. Korean soap operas and movies like Our Paradise, Partisans of South Korea, My Rosy Life and The Last Scandal of My Life are just some to mention. The second season of The Last Scandal of My Life was being planned just before her death.

She may be pretty, glamorous and successful in her career but Choi Jin-sil also suffered from misfortunes starting from the murder of her former manager, Bae Byeong-su, down to her divorce with baseball player Jo Seong-min. Revealing adultery, domestic violence against Choi. The issue about money matters concerning Ahn Jae-hwan was the most unbearable according to rumors, making the fine actress take her own life on the morning of Oct. 2. With pressure bandages around her neck tied to the shower stall, the actress was proclaimed dead leaving her two kids and family behind.

She truly left a remarkable career and great name to the entertainment industry. But, fame and fortune is not the only means of happiness. Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success, as one may say.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Great article on Choi Jin-Shil.
She did overcome, in fact, many obstacles in her life (poverty, adultery...). The rumor about Ahn Jae-hwan was just one too many TT_TT
She was a lovely actress, though I've only watched her in Last Scandal and a few episodes of "My Rosy Life".
I hope her children and grandma are doing well, given the circumstances.