'I like stories that lay human nature bare': veteran actor Choi Min-sik

After more than 35 years in the industry, Choi Min-sik has solidified his status as a living legend of Korean cinema. In his latest project Netflix psychological thriller, "Notes from the Last Row," the 64-year-old veteran actor delivers a haunting performance as professor Heo Mun-oh, a failed novelist who becomes dangerously consumed by the voyeuristic genius of Lee Kang (Choi Hyun-wook), an enigmatic student sitting in the back of his classroom. "When I first got the script and read the original play, I instantly thought, 'This is a drama that leaves room for thought,'" Choi told The Korea Times at a cafe in Seoul, Thursday. He said the series has a classic feel, different from recent trends. "Much like my past film 'Failan' (2001), I was drawn to this short but incredibly intense story. It felt like one of those small, lightweight paperbacks we used to carry around in our pockets back in school," he said. Narrative stripping humans bare Choi has never been one to shy away from the darker, less glamorous corners of human nature. While mainstream media often favors flawless heroes, Choi