Choi Jin Hyuk Vamps It Up For A Supernatural Love Story
Viewers have already seen Choi Jin Hyuk play Gu Wol Ryung, a mythological creature known as a gumiho, and now they can see him play a vampire.
Gumhos can live a thousand years but his "Gu Family Book" character sacrificed near-eternity for love. The supernatural love story helped make the actor a breakout star.
And he is not done with supernatural roles.
On February 2, his agency, Red Bricks, revealed that he plays the character Mike in the Japanese film "Love Vampire." The film is a love story between a human and an vampire.
"When I received the script I was reminded of Gu Wol Ryung from 'Gu Family Book,'" said Choi Jin Hyuk. "I did not think it would be difficult to play a vampire since I already acted as a character that uses supernatural powers and I transformed as Gu Wol Ryung did. I hope I can show a new side of me in the vampire role."
The film premieres on April 17 in Japan. It is a global project featuring Japanese stars Mirei Kiritani and Totsuka Shota in the leading roles. But it also stars Ekin Chang of Hong Kong and Meng Geng Ru of Taiwan.
Choi Jin Hyuk is the only Korean actor with a role in this film. He plays the right hand man of a vampire boss, the role played by Ekin Chang.
The film tells the story of Keira, a vampire who has successfully lived among humans. She has reunited with her first love after years of separation and just wants to work as a baker and live an ordinary life. Mike's vampire boss does not agree with her plans.
Choi Jin Hyuk was offered the role in June 2014 and traveled to Japan to work on the film. Since his appearance in "GuFamily Book" and then "The Heirs" he has not stopped working. He appeared in the police drama "Pride and Prejudice," which premiered on Oct. 27, 2014. And "Emergency Couple" was the fourth drama he did in 2014. He appeared in "Emergency Couple" with Song Ji Hyo, "Flower Grandpa Investigation Unit" with Lee Soon Jae and Kim Heechul and also in "Fated To Love You" with Jang Hyuk and Jang Nara.
It may be the last time viewers see him before he leaves to fulfill his mandatory military duty. At the after party for "Pride and Prejudice," he said that he was expecting his enlistment notice in February. He was originally scheduled to fulfill his duty as a conscripted policeman in the Seoul Police Public Relations Department but opted instead to serve as a regular soldier.
