I was really looking forward to this interview because I love the term ‘New Beauty.’ A long time ago, a brand once selected me as a ‘Beautiful Woman,’ and I remember how much I liked that. Beauty isn’t something that just a pretty appearance can define. Thank you for inviting me into this world of ‘new beauty.’

At one point, I started feeling uncomfortable with work. Society places a mold on celebrities and actors, and when you don’t fit into that, people feel disappointed. That moment of having to accept their reaction felt incredibly lonely. I began questioning who I truly was and what kind of person I wanted to be. I even thought about quitting acting, leaving my agency, and pondering how I wanted to live going forward. That’s when I began seeking things I was genuinely good at and passionate about. In some ways, I was letting go of what I had held onto for so long. I’m enjoying this period. Without choosing to let go, I probably wouldn’t have amounted to anything. Since my debut in high school, I always had people around to help me, but when they weren’t there, I realized I couldn’t do anything alone. As I tackle things individually with my strength, I finally feel like I’m becoming a real adult.

It wasn’t something I anticipated. The decisions I made were personal, done to focus on myself, so the public’s reaction was completely unexpected. Before appearing on the Omniscient Interfering View, I was interviewed on YouTuber We Park’s channel “Weracle.” In that interview, I spoke candidly about my process of letting go and everything that followed. I later heard from someone who had struggled with insomnia for years but finally got a good night’s sleep after hearing my story. I felt deeply moved by that. Then I made a resolution: since I’ve been fortunate to influence others throughout my long career, why not embrace this and try to lower the bar for others positively?

Our society tends to pressure everyone to stay on the same level. But people have different stamina and personalities, yet we’re all expected to perform at the highest level. It’s precarious. When one person decides to let go, it can bring a sense of calm to others. It’s like adding a strong safety net at a lower level so that others can feel more at ease. That’s what I wanted to offer. When I’m around other celebrities, I often feel lonely, like I don’t quite fit in. I recently watched a film called “Le Rayon Vert (The Green Ray),” and it felt like watching myself. It’s a movie about a woman searching for her partner through everyday moments. The protagonist feels like an outsider in some social circles, but she no longer feels lonely when she finds people who share similar thoughts. It made me realize that the world doesn’t have to cater to just those at the top. I want to create a world where people can find others who share their values and ideas, a world where they don’t feel alone.

It doesn’t have any grand meaning. I just wanted to convey that anyone can be Gang-hui Choi. If thinking, “Even Gang-hui Choi does this,” brings some comfort to others, that’s enough for me. For example, "Gang-hui Choi does the dishes," " Gang-hui Choi cleans other people’s homes," and so on. When I first let go of my identity as an actor, I told myself, “If I can get through today, that’s enough.” It felt like I was barely surviving, but I reminded myself that others live this way, too, and it’s okay not to know everything. As long as I’m responsible for my day, that’s all that matters. And that’s fine. Who cares if I seem different from others? As long as I’m not harming anyone, it’s okay. Everything is loveable.

Yes, I was contacted by a current affairs program called “World Report” because they knew I was interested in environmental issues. They told me that although South Korea significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, African countries suffer the consequences. When they mentioned they would report on this, I was so curious that I immediately said I wanted to go. The country I visited was Mozambique, and the people there are suffering from severe drought. The wells have dried up, and they have no food to eat. All their crops have failed. The fields, rivers, and land have entirely dried out. What used to be a place accessible only by boat, we now walked to. Only a single well remains, and both people and animals share it. Mozambique emits less than a tenth of what other countries produce in greenhouse gases. It’s a low-income nation with almost no infrastructure to contribute to emissions, yet bears the brunt of the damage. It’s unfair. But instead of shouting for equality, I think it’s better to acknowledge that the world is inherently unfair. My dream is for people to accept this and, within that unfairness, find ways to love one another.

I want to show you a wallet I made a long time ago. Inside the wallet, there are three smaller compartments for bills. One for God, one for myself, and one for others. It’s designed to allocate money for each of those purposes. I hadn’t been using it much recently since I don’t use paper money anymore, but after my trip to Africa, I had a new idea and brought it back out. I even ordered fake children’s money online. If I avoid using disposable products for the day, I fill that wallet with the equivalent of fake money. If I walk instead of driving, I put in what I would’ve spent on transportation. Whenever I make an environmentally conscious choice, I add more fake money to my wallet and then tally it up regularly. If something isn’t fun, you can’t keep doing it for long. Plus, there’s a section for me in the wallet, too, so occasionally, I can reward myself and buy something I want. When the money builds up in the wallet for others, I use it to help friends suffering from the climate crisis. I even use this system for my church offerings. When you can visually see the results, it’s easier to stick with it.

Beauty must have a fragrance. Something that’s merely pretty cannot indeed be beautiful. To me, beauty combines a kind heart and a graceful demeanor. Recently, I encountered someone who truly embodied beauty—a sanitation worker I met while filming for YouTube. Everything about him—his gaze, tone, and actions—exuded warmth and dignity: he was charming. I also saw beauty in a girl I met in Mozambique. She was drawing water from the last remaining well, and when she saw our camera, she gave us a shy smile. It was breathtaking.

The world is constantly changing. Do you know that people are starting to pull their socks up again these days, like the older generation used to do? It’s the kind of fashion our parents' generation found appalling. Hatred and admiration seem to leap across generations like that, much like a piano's black and white keys. We tend to reject what’s familiar and favor the new, but that newness is often what the generation before us loved. If you think about it from a dictionary perspective, this endless cycle of getting bored and seeking something new is what we might call “New Beauty.” But I believe that true New Beauty is something invisible. It shines when recognized by those who know how to see it. Some people might look at me now and find peace, while others might see something completely different. But as long as there are people who can recognize it, that’s enough. You can’t see the stars during broad daylight, but in the dark, they shine. I think that’s my true beauty—something that glows in the darkness.

Be kind to yourself, just as Dr. Eun-young Oh advises for children! Don’t hate your flaws; tell yourself they are lovable, and even humor yourself when needed. I found freedom and happiness when I started embracing my insecurities. I hope you can find your way to this new beauty.