Actor Choi Min-sik. [Herald POP (now Herald Muse) provided]
Actor Choi Min-sik. [Herald POP (now Herald Muse) provided]

Actor Choi Min-sik has pushed back against the negative public reaction to celebrity dating rumors.

Appearing on the YouTube channel Ddeunddeun on Saturday, Choi said he hoped young entertainers would feel free to date. "When you're young, you should date as much as you want," he said.

He then took aim at those who treat celebrity relationships as scandals. "People look at it negatively, calling it a scandal — but who would begrudge young men and women from dating?" he said, adding that the attitude made him suddenly flare up with anger.

When fellow guest Yoo Jae-suk tried to calm him down by suggesting he have a drink, Choi stood his ground. "You have to experience love," he said. "As long as you're not doing anything wrong, that's all that matters."

Choi also offered a word of caution to his junior colleague Choi Hyun-wook. "You need to stay on alert when people say you're a leading man or that you're doing great," he said. "You cannot be satisfied with praise — you have to be harder on yourself. Once you start measuring yourself by outside reactions, there is no end to it."

He added that he hoped Choi Hyun-wook would hold on to his current mindset and attitude toward his work for a long time.

When Yang Se-chan quipped that he would pass the message along without making it obvious, Choi Min-sik shot back, "Then call me later and tell him to come over," drawing laughter from the group.


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