Choo Young Woo’s breakout performance in Head Over Heels has once again solidified his star power.
The actor successfully brought to life two drastically different characters—Bae Gyeon Woo and Bong Soo—in tvN’s Monday-Tuesday drama Head Over Heels, which wrapped up on Tuesday. His versatility anchored the show’s emotional depth and contributed to its critical and commercial success.
As Bae Gyeon Woo, Choo portrayed a warm-hearted young man who never turned away from someone in pain, even when haunted by his own fears. His unwavering devotion to his first love, Park Seong Ah (played by Cho Yi Hyun), ultimately led him to sacrifice himself by trapping the malevolent spirit within his own body.
In contrast, Bong Soo brought levity and unpredictability to the story. Initially brash and mischievous, Bong Soo’s true identity was later revealed as Jang Yoon Bo—a student conscript who died alone in battle, unable to fulfill his dying wish of delivering a silver ring to his mother. His backstory resonated deeply with viewers.
Choo seamlessly toggled between the two personas, deepening the drama’s emotional resonance. His portrayal was especially captivating when the transition between characters was triggered by Seong Ah’s physical touch—adding a magical, “now you see him, now you don’t” dynamic to the narrative.
From subtle changes in gaze and tone to distinct body language, Choo masterfully delineated the emotional lives of both characters. His nuanced performance shone brightest in complex scenes, reaffirming his strength as an actor.
Choo’s standout work also played a key role in the show’s popularity. Head Over Heels consistently ranked No. 1 in its time slot across both cable and general networks. He also topped Good Data Corporation’s FUNdex ranking of most buzzworthy drama actors for two consecutive weeks.
In a statement released by his agency, Choo said, “I was excited for the premiere, and I can’t believe it’s already over. I’m thankful for all the support we received—for Gyeon Woo’s emotional journey with Seong Ah and for Bong Soo’s mischievous yet endearing moments. Every day on set was filled with joy thanks to the viewers’ love.”
He added, “Once again, I had the opportunity to play dual roles, which felt like switching between two different characters. It made me think, maybe next time I’ll take on three roles. I’ll continue to grow and hope to return with an even better performance. Please stay healthy in this summer heat, and thank you again for embracing Head Over Heels, Gyeon Woo, and Bong Soo.”
