[Choi Byung-mo's Instagram]
[Choi Byung-mo's Instagram]

Choi Byung-mo, 54, known for his chilling villain roles in "12.12: The Day," "Asura" and numerous other films, has revealed that playing those roles has taken a serious toll on his health.

Choi wrote on his social media account Thursday that villain roles had become "physically overwhelming."

"It seems the villain work I've done for so long is eating away at my body and mind," he added. "I keep having to dredge up anger that isn't really there, and no matter how much I recharge, I can barely last a few hours."

He went on to say that he had been "enduring treatment for autonomic nervous disorder for more than a year" but needed to find a more fundamental solution. "These days, even my efforts toward mental discipline and physical recovery are wearing me out," he wrote.

Autonomic nervous disorder is a condition in which the balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems — which regulate heart rate, digestion and body temperature — breaks down, causing unexplained physical and psychological symptoms throughout the body. Symptoms such as heart palpitations, chest tightness, dizziness and insomnia can disrupt daily life.

Fans responded to Choi's candid post with an outpouring of support, leaving comments such as "You play the roles so well that villain parts just keep coming your way," "I'd love to see you in kind, warm-hearted characters going forward," and "Please take care of your health first."

After more than 3,000 people sent words of encouragement, Choi posted a message of gratitude. "Today, so many people offered comfort and encouragement — I feel like I'm shedding another layer and renewing myself," he wrote. "Acting seems to be a profession that keeps you in especially close contact with anxiety. I'm still finding my way and learning how to coexist with it." He added that he was preparing a new project and would "think harder about how to deliver strong performances in good health," then thanked supporters before adding, "I'm getting a little emotional."

Choi is not alone among actors who have spoken about health struggles stemming from villain roles. Actor Park Sung-woong, who played a villain in "New World" and other films, recently said that after production he found it difficult to shake the fear that he might harm people with a knife, going so far as to have all knives removed from his home and seeking psychiatric care. Actor Lee Sung-jae also said he received psychiatric treatment after playing a villain in the drama series "Gu Family Book."

Choi made his debut in the 1997 musical "Jesus Christ Superstar" and has delivered memorable performances in the films "12.12: The Day," "Asura" and "The Spy Gone North," as well as the drama series "Our Blues," "Stranger" and "Another Oh Hae-young."


paq@heraldcorp.com