Every so often, K-drama audiences find a new star to gravitate towards. For viewers of the JTBC and Netflix-streaming The Atypical Family, they may have spotted their latest act to tune in to: Roy, also known as Choi Kwang Rok.
With his role as a gentle giant on-screen and his dashing model status off-screen, we can’t help but echo everyone’s sentiments as our curiosities are piqued. But don’t fret—we’ve done the work and laid out the essentials. Ahead, get to know more about the Korean actor-model in our fact sheet.
Who Is Choi Kwang Rok a.k.a. Roy? 10 Facts About the Korean Actor and Model
1. Roy is 31 years old.
Born in 1991 in Daejeon, South Korea, Roy was 31 years old by the time of the release of his breakthrough role in The Atypical Family.
2. Roy is signed with Esteem Entertainment.
The Korean actor is represented by Esteem Entertainment, a subsidiary of K-pop giant SM Entertainment. The agency represents a range of actors, musicians, and content creators, and among Roy’s fellows include Baek Sung Chul (Once Upon a Small Town), Moon Jo Yeon (Parasyte: The Grey, Now, We Are Breaking Up), Park Jae Min (Frankly Speaking), and supermodel and Queen of Tears actress Jang Yoon Ju.
3. Roy is also a model.
Before he turned to filling in roles for the small screen, Roy was already accustomed to being in front of the camera as a model. His portfolio includes posing for brands like Fjallraven, Lululemon, Discovery Expedition, and Ralph Lauren, as well as whiskey names like Royal Salute.
4. Roy made his debut in “Green Mothers’ Club.”
In 2022, Roy made his foray into the acting world in JTBC’s Green Mothers’ Club. The drama centers on the friendships of five mothers, including Seo Jin-ha, played by Kim Gyu Ri. The character’s reputation for her elegance creates a stir in the community and a rival out of Lee Yo Won’s Lee Eun-pyo, coupled with Jin-ha’s gifted son and foreign husband, the French-born Korean Luis Bunuel (played by Roy).
The actor-model had to learn some French to convincingly pull off the role, which led to many viewers thinking that Roy was actually part-European. The role of Luis is reportedly named after Luis Buñuel, an influential Spanish filmmaker who spent much of his time in France.
5. Roy starred in the mini-series “Hit the Spot.”
After Green Mothers’ Club, Roy would then star in the mini-series Hit the Spot. The raunchy eight-episode drama delves into the friendship of two women and their sex and romance podcast and, inadvertently, their own complicated love lives. Here, Roy portrays Cha Woo-jae, one of the series leads.
6. Roy appeared in the “Arthdal Chronicles” sequel.
Arthdal Chronicles is lauded as one of the most expensive K-drama productions, and with its grand fantasy setup, it isn’t quite a surprise. The second season Arthdal Chronicles: The Sword of Aramun, which is set eight years after the original, features a set of familiar and fresh faces. This includes Roy as Eknad, a Neanthal prince of the kingdom of Ireukebek. As one of the primary species in the series, the Neanthals are an advanced kind who often lead to brutality.
7. Roy made a cameo appearance in “Celebrity.”
The 2023 Netflix drama Celebrity boasts a star-studded cameo list, and even Roy got in on the action, too. Viewers can spot him on episode seven of the Park Gyu Young-led show.
8. Roy appears as an uncle figure in “The Atypical Family.”
In 2024, Roy plays the gentle giant in The Atypical Family, a drama about a superpowered clan. He portrays Noh Hyung-tae, a gentle giant who acts as the bodyguard and beloved uncle of Do Dae-hae (Chun Woo Hee), a woman adopted by a con artist family.
9. Roy lost significant weight for his role in “The Atypical Family.”
Aside from learning his lines, to effectively embody The Atypical Family role, Roy had to transform his physicality. In fact, the actor gained 30 kilograms to portray Noh Hyung-tae!
“Putting on the weight was not the easiest after being cast in The Atypical Family,” the actor previously said. “But I tried my best. [I'm] grateful for the opportunity to portray a character like No Hyung Tae, too. Personally, I had a lot of fun shooting the show. So I hope the viewers also fall in love with the character and me acting behind the character.”
10. You can follow Roy on Instagram.
Keep track of Roy’s updates and projects by tapping follow on his Instagram page.
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