Choi Yu-hwa is a South Korean actress whose career began not on a stage but on a fashion runway. She entered the entertainment industry after winning the Fashion Model Award at fashion magazine CeCi’s model contest in 2005, and five years later she made her acting debut in a one-act KBS Drama Special. The role that first drew wide attention came in 2011, in the romantic drama My Princess, where audiences noticed both her striking looks and a screen presence that suggested she was far more than a former model trying her hand at acting. Over the fifteen years since, she has built one of the most quietly consistent filmographies in Korean drama and film, moving between blockbuster movies, prestige television, and scene-stealing supporting roles.
This Choi Yu-hwa biography brings together the verified facts about her age, height, career, filmography, and net worth, from her 2005 modelling breakthrough to her recent roles in The Killing Vote and Doubt. It separates what is firmly documented from what is only reported, so readers get a clear picture of an actress who has earned her longevity the hard way: one strong performance at a time.
Choi Yu-hwa Wiki and Biography
| Full Name | Choi Yu-hwa (Choe Yuhwa) |
| Korean Name | 최유화 |
| Date of Birth | 10 October 1985 |
| Age (as of October 2026) | 41 years old |
| Birthplace | South Korea |
| Nationality | South Korean |
| Ethnicity | Korean |
| Zodiac Sign | Libra |
| Profession | Actress |
| Years Active | 2005–present (modelling from 2005; acting from 2010) |
| Relationship Status | Reported as unmarried; no publicly confirmed partner |
Choi Yu-hwa Height, Weight and Body Stats
| Height | Reported 5 feet 4 inches (165 cm) |
| Weight | Reported approximately 55 kg (121 lbs) |
| Body Measurements | Reported approximately 33-24-34 inches (unverified) |
| Eye Color | Dark brown |
| Hair Color | Dark brown/black (often styled blonde) |
| Shoe Size | Reported 5.5 (US) (unverified) |
| Distinctive Features | Elegant, model-trained poise; expressive screen presence |
Choi’s height and weight figures come from entertainment profile sites rather than official agency listings, so they should be read as reported rather than confirmed: she is generally listed at 165 cm tall and around 55 kg. What is not in doubt is the model-trained elegance she brings to the screen — the poise and camera awareness that first won her the CeCi contest and that directors have used to strong effect in roles ranging from polished professionals to morally complex antagonists.
Choi Yu-hwa Career
| Profession | Actress (former fashion model) |
| Breakthrough | Fashion Model Award, CeCi Model Contest, 2005 |
| Acting Debut | KBS Drama Special, “The Great Gye Choon-bin” (2010), as Kim Yang |
| First Noticed | My Princess (2011), as Kang Sun-ah |
| Notable Films | Love Fiction (2012), The Truth Beneath (2016), The Age of Shadows (2016), Tazza: One Eyed Jack (2019), The Battle: Roar to Victory (2019) |
| Notable Series | Suits (2018), Mistress (2018), Life (2018), Class of Lies (2019), River Where the Moon Rises (2021), The Killing Vote (2023), Doubt (2024) |
| Known For | Versatile supporting roles across film and prestige television |
Early Life and Modelling Breakthrough
Choi Yu-hwa was born on 10 October 1985 in South Korea. Details of her family and schooling are not publicly documented, and she has kept her private life largely out of the press throughout her career. Her public story begins in 2005, when she won the Fashion Model Award at CeCi magazine’s model contest, a well-known launchpad for Korean fashion talent. Modelling gave her camera experience and industry contacts, but Choi clearly wanted more than the runway: she spent the following years preparing for acting, and her patience paid off when she was cast in a KBS Drama Special in 2010.
Acting Debut and Rise
Choi debuted in the one-act KBS Drama Special “The Great Gye Choon-bin” in 2010, playing Kim Yang, and the following year she appeared in the MBC romantic drama My Princess as Kang Sun-ah. It was My Princess that first brought her to a broad audience’s attention, with viewers and critics noting her looks and her natural acting ability. Film roles followed quickly: she played Min-ji in the romantic comedy Love Fiction (2012) and So-young in Love Call the same year, then Kim Ja-young in My Dear Girl, Jin-young (2013). By the mid-2010s she was working steadily in both film and television, including a role in the period drama Take Care of Us, Captain (2012) and further Drama Special appearances in 2012 and 2013.
Film Career Highlights
Choi’s film work includes several of the most acclaimed Korean films of the 2010s. She appeared as a senior actress in the folk-music drama C’est si bon (2015), played Son So-ra in the political thriller The Truth Beneath (2016), and took the role of Kim Sa-hee in Kim Jee-woon’s espionage epic The Age of Shadows (2016), a major box-office success. In 2019 she had a busy year on the big screen, playing Madonna in the gambling crime film Tazza: One Eyed Jack and Lim Ja-hyun in the historical war film The Battle: Roar to Victory. These roles showed her range: she could hold her own in large ensemble casts and bring sharp definition to supporting characters who might otherwise have faded into the background.
Television Career and Recent Work
On television, Choi’s later career has been defined by prestige dramas. She played Moon Hyo-jin in the second season of Hello, My Twenties! (2017), then appeared in three notable 2018 series: the Korean remake of Suits as Jei, the mystery drama Mistress as Jin Hye-rim, and the JTBC medical-power drama Life as Choi Seo-hyun. She followed those with Cha Hyeon-jeong in the school-corruption thriller Class of Lies (2019) and Jin Sun-mi in the dark comedy My Dangerous Wife (2020). In 2021 she took the role of Hae Mo-yong in the historical epic River Where the Moon Rises, and in 2023 she played Chae Do-hee in the vigilante thriller The Killing Vote. Her most recent major television role came in 2024, when she appeared as Kim Seong-hui in the MBC mystery drama Doubt, alongside further film work including a role in Love in the Big City the same year.
Choi Yu-hwa Net Worth
| Estimated Net Worth | Reported approximately $2 million (as of 2021, unverified) |
| Income Sources | Acting salaries (film and television), modelling, endorsements |
Choi’s net worth is not officially disclosed. Entertainment profile sites have reported a figure of around $2 million as of 2021, but this is an unverified estimate rather than a confirmed number, and her earnings since then — including her steady run of television roles through 2024 — are not publicly documented. Her income comes from acting fees across film and television, her earlier modelling work, and occasional endorsements. Any precise figure should be treated as an estimate.
10 Interesting Facts About Choi Yu-hwa
- Choi Yu-hwa was born on 10 October 1985 in South Korea.
- She entered entertainment by winning the Fashion Model Award at CeCi magazine’s model contest in 2005.
- Her acting debut came in the 2010 KBS Drama Special “The Great Gye Choon-bin”.
- She first gained wide attention as Kang Sun-ah in My Princess (2011).
- She appeared in the acclaimed 2016 films The Truth Beneath and The Age of Shadows in the same year.
- She played Madonna in the 2019 gambling crime film Tazza: One Eyed Jack.
- In 2018 alone she appeared in three major series: Suits, Mistress and Life.
- She played Hae Mo-yong in the historical drama River Where the Moon Rises (2021).
- She took the role of Chae Do-hee in the vigilante thriller The Killing Vote (2023).
- Her most recent major television role was Kim Seong-hui in Doubt (2024).
Conclusion
Choi Yu-hwa’s career is a study in steady, professional longevity. She did not arrive with a single star-making explosion; instead she built her reputation role by role, from a model-contest winner to a trusted presence in some of Korea’s most respected films and dramas. Directors keep casting her because she delivers: precise, poised, and able to sharpen any ensemble she joins. Two decades after her modelling breakthrough, she remains a working actress at the top of her craft, and her recent run of prestige television suggests there is plenty more to come.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Choi Yu-hwa?
Choi Yu-hwa is a South Korean actress who began as a fashion model, winning CeCi magazine’s model contest in 2005, and has since appeared in films including The Age of Shadows and Tazza: One Eyed Jack and dramas including My Princess, Life and The Killing Vote.
How old is Choi Yu-hwa?
She was born on 10 October 1985, making her 41 years old as of October 2026.
Where was Choi Yu-hwa born?
She was born in South Korea; further birthplace details are not publicly documented.
How tall is Choi Yu-hwa?
She is reported to be 165 cm (5 feet 4 inches) tall and around 55 kg, though these figures come from profile sites rather than official listings.
How did Choi Yu-hwa start her career?
She won the Fashion Model Award at CeCi’s model contest in 2005, then made her acting debut in the 2010 KBS Drama Special “The Great Gye Choon-bin”.
What was Choi Yu-hwa’s breakout role?
She gained attention as Kang Sun-ah in the 2011 drama My Princess.
What are Choi Yu-hwa’s best-known dramas?
My Princess, Suits, Mistress, Life, Class of Lies, River Where the Moon Rises, The Killing Vote and Doubt.
What films has Choi Yu-hwa appeared in?
Love Fiction, The Truth Beneath, The Age of Shadows, Tazza: One Eyed Jack and The Battle: Roar to Victory, among others.
Is Choi Yu-hwa married?
She is reported as unmarried, and no partner has been publicly confirmed.
What is Choi Yu-hwa’s net worth?
Her net worth is not officially disclosed; profile sites have reported an unverified estimate of around $2 million as of 2021.
Last Updated: October 2026 | Fact-checked by the Xposed editorial team