Choi is a Korean family surname. As of the South Korean census of 2015, there were around 2.3 million people by this name in

South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed by the Yellow Sea, while its eas ...

or roughly 4.7% of the population. In English-speaking countries, it is most often anglicized ''Choi'', and sometimes also ''Chey'', ''Choe'' or ''Chwe''. Ethnic Koreans in the former USSR prefer the form ''Tsoi'' (''Tsoy'') especially as a transcription of the Cyrillic Цой.

Origin

*According to

Samguk Sagi ''Samguk Sagi'' (, ''History of the Three Kingdoms'') is a historical record of the Three Kingdoms of Korea: Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla. The ''Samguk Sagi'' is written in Classical Chinese, the written language of the literati of ancient Korea, ...

, the Gyeongju clan originates from chief Sobeoldori (소벌도리, 蘇伐都利) of Goheochon (고허촌, 高墟村), one of six villages that united to found

Silla Silla or Shilla (57 BCE – 935 CE) ( , Old Korean: Syera, Old Japanese: Siraki2) was a Korean kingdom located on the southern and central parts of the Korean Peninsula. Silla, along with Baekje and Goguryeo, formed the Three Kingdoms ...

; The Gyeongju clan traces their origin back to Choi Chiwon (857–10th century), a noted Korean scholar, philosopher, and poet of the late Unified

period (668–935). *One theory of origin suggests that Haeju clan's progenitor Choi Choong (최충, 崔沖, 984–1068) was given the surname 崔 during the reign of

Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean kingdom founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until 1392. Goryeo achieved what has been called a "true national unificat ...

king Mokjong. *The progenitor of the Chungju clan is General Choi Seung (최승, 崔陞), also known as Choi Woo (최우, 崔偶), of

(known as Cui Sheng in

Tang Dynasty The Tang dynasty (, ; zh, t= ), or Tang Empire, was an imperial dynasty of China that ruled from 618 to 907 AD, with an interregnum between 690 and 705. It was preceded by the Sui dynasty and followed by the Five Dynasties and Ten Kingdom ...

) *The progenitor of the Nangju clan is Choi Heun (최흔, 崔昕) of

who was a native of

Yeongam Yeongam () is a city and county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Bordered with Mokpo and Naju to the north, Jangheung County to the east, and Haenam and Gangjin to the south, Yeongam County comprises two '' eups'' and nine '' myeons'', popul ...

(Nangju) of the southern

Jeolla Jeolla Province (, ) was one of the historical Eight Provinces of Korea during the Kingdom of Joseon in today Southwestern Korea. It consisted of the modern South Korean provinces of North Jeolla, South Jeolla and Gwangju Metropolitan City as w ...

region. *Choi Ri (최리, 崔理), who was known as the leader of the Kingdom of Nakrang

Clans

There are roughly 160 clans of Chois. Most of these are quite small. However, Choi is the 4th most common surname in Korea. The largest by far is the

Gyeongju Choi clan The Gyeongju Choe clan () is a Korean clan, with a bon-gwan located in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province. According to a census from 2015, the population of the Gyeongju Choe clan is 945,005 in South Korea. The apical ancestor of the Gyeongju ...

, with a 2000 South Korean population of 976,820. The Gyeongju Choe claim the

scholar Choe Chi-won as their founder. * Gyeongju clan – Choe Chiwon *

Jeonju Jeonju () is the 16th largest city in South Korea and the capital of North Jeolla Province. It is both urban and rural due to the closeness of Wanju County which almost entirely surrounds Jeonju (Wanju County has many residents who work in Jeonj ...

clan –

Choe Bu Choe Bu (, 1454–1504) was a Korean official during the early Joseon Dynasty. He is most well known for the account of his shipwrecked travels in China from February to July 1488, during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). He was eventually banis ...

Dongju ''Dongju: The Portrait of a Poet'' (Korea: 동주) is a 2016 South Korean black-and-white biographical period drama film directed by Lee Joon-ik about Yun Dong-ju. It was released in South Korea on February 17, 2016. Plot The story follows the lif ...

clan *

Haeju Haeju () is a city located in South Hwanghae Province near Haeju Bay in North Korea. It is the administrative centre of South Hwanghae Province. As of 2008, the population of the city is estimated to be 273,300. At the beginning of the 20th century ...

clan – Choe Chung * Saknyeong clan – Choe Hang, Choi Byung Ju (founding member modern era Korean Supreme Court) * Gangneung clan *

Hwasun Hwasun County (화순군; ''Hwasun-gun'') is a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Symbol * County Flower : Wild Chrysanthemum * County Tree : Zelkova Tree * County Bird : Dove Columbidae () is a bird family consisting of doves a ...

clan * Ganghwa clan *

Yeongcheon Yeongcheon () is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Yeongcheon is located southeast of Seoul, in the southeast of North Gyeongsang Province. It is on the Gyeongbu Expressway linking Seoul and Busan, and is also the junction of ...

clan *

Tamjin Gangjin County (''Gangjin-gun'') is a county in South Jeolla Province, South Korea. Gangjin county proper was established in 1895. The county office is located in Gangjin-eup. The Gangjin Kiln Sites are a noted area for the production of tradi ...

clan * Ubong clan – Choe Hang * Suwaon clan *

Yeongheung Kŭmya County is a county in South Hamgyŏng province, North Korea. It borders the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea) to the east. History The area was settled at least since the Bronze Age, revealed by excavations of relics in the county. Dur ...

clan * Suseong clan *

Chungju Choe clan Chungju Choe clan () is one of the Korean clans. Their Bon-gwan is in Chungju, North Chungcheong Province. According to the research held in 2000, the number of Chungju Choe clan’s member was 13466. Their founder was in Tang dynasty. Because S ...

Goesan Goesan County (''Goesan-gun'') is a county in North Chungcheong Province, South Korea. Demographics As of 2021, Goesan-gun has a population of about 40,000 people. The area has been affected strongly by the graying of the South Korean population ...

clan –

Choe Sejin Choe Sejin (, ͡ɕʰwe̞ sʰed͡ʑin 1465 – February 10, 1542) was a Korean linguist, and a translator and interpreter of the Chinese language during the Joseon Dynasty. He is of the Goesan Choe clan and his courtesy name was Gongseo (공 ...

Heunghae Heunghae is a town, or '' eup'' in Buk-gu, Pohang, North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sh ...

clan *

clan * Taein clan

Etymology

Choi (

Hangul The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, . Hangul may also be written as following South Korea's standard Romanization. ( ) in South Korea and Chosŏn'gŭl in North Korea, is the modern official writing system for the Korean language. The le ...

: 최) is written with the

Hanja Hanja (Hangul: ; Hanja: , ), alternatively known as Hancha, are Chinese characters () used in the writing of Korean. Hanja was used as early as the Gojoseon period, the first ever Korean kingdom. (, ) refers to Sino-Korean vocabulary, ...

character 崔, meaning "a

governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

who oversees the land and the mountain". The surname Choi also means “mountain”. Choi (崔), originally written in

, is derived from the combination of 2 ancient Chinese characters: * is a pictogram symbolizing the mountains; * is a pictogram symbolizing a bird.

Pronunciation

In Korean, 최 is usually pronounced "Chwe" or “Chey” except by some older speakers who pronounce it (this vowel sound is similar to the German ''ö'' �. In English, it is most often pronounced "Choy", which sounds clearly different to its proper pronunciation but some go by “Chey”. 崔 is Romanized as ''Cuī'' and pronounced in Mandarin Chinese. It is ''Chēui'' in Cantonese and ''Chhui'' in Hokkien.

Prominent people of the past

Choe Chiwon Choe Chiwon (; 857–10th century) was a Korean philosopher and poet of the late medieval Unified Silla period (668-935). He studied for many years in Tang China, passed the Tang imperial examination, and rose to the high office there before r ...

(858-c. 910), Korean philosopher during the Silla dynasty *

Choe Chung-heon Choe Chung-heon (1149 – 29 October 1219) was a military ruler of Korea during the Goryeo period. Choe's father was a Grand General in the Goryeo military, hence precipitating his own entry into the military. Choe witnessed military men become ...

(1149-1219), military dictator of the Goryeo period * Choe U (???-1249), military dictator of the Goryeo period *

Choe Yeong Choi Young (Korean: 최영; 1316–1388), also romanized as Choe Yeong, was a Korean general born in Hongseong or CheorwonKBS World"Choe Yeong, the Victorious General of Goryeo Dynasty", Koreans in History, 2011-02-04. during the Goryeo peri ...

(1316–1388), military general under King Gongmin of Goryeo *

Choe Mu-seon Choe Mu-Seon (1325–1395) was a medieval Korean scientist, inventor, and military commander during the late Goryeo Dynasty and early Joseon Dynasty. He is best known for enabling Korea to domestically produce gunpowder by obtaining a recip ...

(1325-1395), Korean inventor * Choe Manri (???-1445), an early critic of

hangul The Korean alphabet, known as Hangul, . Hangul may also be written as following South Korea's standard Romanization. ( ) in South Korea and Chosŏn'gŭl in North Korea, is the modern official writing system for the Korean language. The le ...

(1465-1542), mostly known for his 1525 훈몽자회, aka ''Hangul for beginners''. *

Choe Yeong-kyeong Choe Yeong-kyeong (최영경, 崔永慶, 1529–1590) was a scholar-official of the Joseon period of Korea. His pen name was Suwudang 수우당. His courtesy name was Hyowon 효원. He was a Westerner, and was killed as a result of the 1589 Gich ...

(1529-1590), Westerner, purged during the Gichuk Oksa *

Suk-bin Choe Royal Noble Consort Suk of the Haeju Choe clan (Hangul: 숙빈 최씨, Hanja: 淑嬪崔氏; 17 December 1670 – 9 April 1718) is one of best known consorts of Sukjong of Joseon and the mother of Yi Geum, King Yeongjo. Biography Early life ...

(1670–1718), concubine of Sukjong and mother of Yeongjo of JoseonNote: ''suk-bin'' is a Joseon title, not a given name * Choe Han-gi (1803-1877), Korean Confucian scholar and philosopher *

Choe Je-u Choe Je-u, who used the pen name Su-un (18 December 1824 – 15 April 1864), was the founder of Donghak, a Korean religious movement which was empathetic to the hardships of the minjung (the marginalized people of Korea), opposed Catholicism an ...

(1824-1864), founder of the Donghak movement

Prominent people today

General

Dan Choi Dan Choi (born February 22, 1981) is an American former infantry officer in the United States Army who served in combat in the Iraq War during 2006–2007. He became an LGBT rights activist following his coming out on ''The Rachel Maddow Show'' ...

(born 1981), American LGBT rights activist and former American officer *

Choi Gee-sung Choi Gee-sung (born 2 February 1951) is President and Chief Executive of the digital media division at Samsung Electronics, overseeing the third-largest business group of the South Korean company, which includes televisions, flat-panel screens, ...

(최지성, born 1951), high-ranking Samsung executive *

Choi Hong Hi Choi Hong-hi (9 November 1918 – 15 June 2002) was a South Korean Army general, defector to North Korea, and martial artist who was an important figure in the history of the Korean martial art of Taekwondo, albeit controversial due to h ...

, South Korean general considered the principal founder of taekwondo *

Jay Pil Choi Jay Pil Choi is the University Distinguished Professor of Economics at Michigan State University and also a published author of works and books. Early life and career Choi graduated from Seoul National University in Economics in 1982, and receiv ...

, American economist * Choe Jun (1884–1970), businessman and philanthropist *

Choe Nam-seon Choe Nam-seon (April 26, 1890 – October 10, 1957), also known by the Japanese language, Japanese pronunciation of his name Sai Nanzen, was a prominent modern Korean historian, pioneering poet, and publisher, and a leading member of the Korean i ...

(1890–1957), Korean historian and independence activist * Choi Tae-min, South Korean cult leader and founder of Yeongsegyo * Chey Tae-won, SK chairman *

Choi Wonshik Choi Wonshik is an optical physicist researching deep-tissue imaging and imaging through scattering media. He is a full professor in the Department of Physics of Korea University where he serves as the associate director at the IBS Center for Mol ...

, optical physicist at Korea University

Politicians

* Choi Kyoung-hwan, South Korean politician *

Choi Kyu-hah Choi Kyu-hah (; ; July 16, 1919 – October 22, 2006), also spelled Choi Kyu-ha or Choi Gyu-ha, was a South Korean politician who served as the fourth president of South Korea from 1979 to 1980. Early life Choi was born in Wonju-myeon, Wonj ...

(1919–2006), transitional President of South Korea following the assassination of Park Chung-hee *

Sergey Tsoy Sergey Petrovich Tsoy (russian: Сергей Петрович Цой; born 1957) is a well-known Russian politician and journalist of Korean descent. He is a former Moscow City Hall official and is currently working as a deputy chairman of the ...

(Choi Yong-eun), Russian politician *

Steven Choi Steven Seokho Choi (; born January 15, 1944) is an American politician who served as a member of the California State Assembly representing the 68th Assembly District from 2016 to 2022. A Republican from Orange County, California, he previously ...

, American politician *

Choe Ryong-hae Choe Ryong-hae (born 15 January 1950) is a North Korean politician and military officer who currently serves as Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly and First Vice President of the State Affairs Commission, holding ...

(b. 1950), North Korean politician and military officer *

Choe Kwang Marshal Choe Kwang (; July 17, 1918 – February 21, 1997) was a prominent military leader in North Korea. Biography He graduated from the Soviet Military School and served as captain in the Northeast Anti-Japanese Army until the end of the Jap ...

, North Korean general and politician

Arts

General

David Choe David Choe (born April 21, 1976) is an American artist, musician, and former journalist and podcast host from Los Angeles. Choe's work appears in a wide variety of urban culture and entertainment contexts. He has illustrated and written for mag ...

(born 1976), Korean American artist *

Choi Han Choi Han is a South Korean voice actor who joined the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation's Voice Acting Division in 1999. He voices David Hodges in the Korea TV Edition of '' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'' replacing Wallace Langham. He won Best ...

(최한), South Korean voice actor * Choi Han-bit (최한빛, born 1987), South Korean model * Kristy Choi, Korean-American filmmaker *

Choi Seong-woo Choi Seong-woo (; born June 25, 1954) is a South Korean voice actress who joined the voice acting division of Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation in 1976. Currently, Choi is cast in the Korea TV Edition of "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation" as Catherine ...

, South Korean voice actor *

Sharon Choi Sharon Choi (born Choi Sung-jae; 1994 or 1995) is a South Korean interpreter and film director. She received widespread recognition and praise as Bong Joon-ho's Korean–English interpreter during the 2019–2020 film awards season. Early life ...

(Choi Sung-jae 최성재, born 1994/1995), Korean-American interpreter and filmmaker *

Choi Soo-jin Choi Soo-jin is a South Korean voice actress who joined the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation's Voice Acting Division in 1997. Roles Broadcast TV *''Hwaje Jipjoong'' (Narration, MBC) *''History 50'' (Radio drama, MBC) *''The Third Hospital'' ...

, South Korean voice actress * Susan Choi, American novelist *

Choi Won-hyeong Choi Won-hyeong () is a South Korean Voice acting, voice actor who joined the Munhwa Broadcasting Corporation's MBC Voice Acting Division, Voice Acting Division in 1993. Roles Theatrical Animation *The Rescuers Down Under - Jake *A Goofy Movie - M ...

, South Korean voice actor *Choi Yang-il,

Yoichi Sai was a Japanese film director. He was the president of the Directors Guild of Japan. Life and career Sai was born on 6 July 1949 in Nagano Prefecture, Japan. His mother was Japanese and his father was Zainichi Korean. Sai won the Best Screenp ...

, Japanese film director * Choe Yong-gon (army commander) (1903-1972), high-ranking North Korean official

Actors and actresses

Choi Eun-hee Choi Eun-hee (; November 20, 1926 – April 16, 2018) was a South Korean actress, who was one of the country's most popular stars of the 1960s and 1970s. In 1978, Choi and her then ex-husband, movie director Shin Sang-ok, were abducted to North ...

(최은희, 1926–2018), South Korean actress once abducted to the North * Choi Go (born 2012), South Korean actor and model * Choi Ji-woo, South Korean actress *

Choi Jin-sil Choi Jin-Sil (December 24, 1968 – October 2, 2008) was a South Korean actress. She was considered one of the best actresses in South Korea, nicknamed "The Nation's Actress". She played leading roles in 18 films and 20 television dramas, appea ...

(1968–2008), South Korean actress, nicknamed "The Nation's Actress" *

Choi Jung-won (actress, born 1981) Choi Jung-won (born April 24, 1981) is a South Korean actress. She is best known for her roles on TV, notably in family drama ''Famous Princesses'' (2006), historical epic '' The Kingdom of the Winds'' (2008), romantic comedy '' Stars Falling fr ...

, South Korean actress * Choi Jung-yoon, South Korean actress *

Kenneth Choi Kenneth Choi (born October 20, 1971) is an American actor. He is known for playing Henry Lin on the television series ''Sons of Anarchy'' (2008–2014), Chester Ming in Martin Scorsese's '' The Wolf of Wall Street'' (2013), and Judge Lance It ...

, American actor * Choi Kwon-soo, South Korean actor *

Choi Min-sik Choi Min-sik (born April 27, 1962) is a South Korean actor. He received critical acclaim for his roles in '' Oldboy'' (2003), ''I Saw the Devil'' (2010) and '' The Admiral: Roaring Currents'' (2014). For his role in ''Oldboy'', he won the Best ...

, South Korean actor * Choi Ri, South Korean actress * Choi Sung-eun, South Korean actress *

Choi Sung-kook Choi Sung-kook (born 2 December 1970) is a South Korean actor. Career Choi developed an interest in acting from a young age. He studied drama at Seoul University of Arts in the 1990s and launched his career in 1995. Personal life In Septemb ...

, South Korean actor and comedian *

Choi Tae-hwan Choi Tae-hwan (born February 28, 1989) is a South Korean actor and model. Filmography Film TV movies Television series References External links * {{DEFAULTSORT:Choi, Tae-hwan 1989 births Living people 21st-century South Korean ...

, South Korean actor *

Choi Won-hong Choi Won-hong (born December 14, 2000) is a South Korean actor. After discharged from the military in 2022, he signed a contract with Jung Man-sik Jung Man-sik (; born December 11, 1974) is a South Korean actor. His name is also romanized as ...

, South Korean actor *

Choi Woo-hyuk (actor, born 1985) Choi Woo Hyuk ( ko, 최우혁 , born October 28, 1985) is a former South Korean actor. He is best known for his role in the 2000 hit drama series ''Autumn in My Heart''. Biography Choi Woo Hyuk began acting at the age of eight, debuting in the ...

, South Korean actor *

Choi Woo-hyuk (actor, born 1997) Choi Woo-hyuk (born May 4, 1997) is a South Korean actor. He began his career as a child actor The term child actor or child actress is generally applied to a child acting on stage or in movies or television. An adult who began their acting ...

, South Korean actor * Choi Woo-shik, South Korean actor

Musicians and idols

* Anita Tsoy, Russian pop singer, wife of Sergey Tsoy * Choi Bo-min, South Korean actor and singer, member of boy band Golden Child *

Dasuri Choi Choi Da-seul (born April 25, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea), popularly known as Dasuri Choi, is a South Korean dancer and entertainer based in the Philippines. Dasuri won Best in Talent and is the 2nd Runner-up winner in the segment, "You're My ...

, South Korean dancer, choreographer, singer and entertainer based in the Philippines *

David Choi David Choi (born March 22, 1986) is a South Korean-born American musician, YouTuber, and a member of parody K-pop group BgA based in Los Angeles. He has worked with companies such as Kellogg's, Starburst, the American Cancer Society, General ...

, Korean American musician *

Seven 7 is a number, numeral, and glyph. 7 or seven may also refer to: * AD 7, the seventh year of the AD era * 7 BC, the seventh year before the AD era * The month of July Music Artists * Seven (Swiss singer) (born 1978), a Swiss recording artist ...

(born Choi Dong-wook), South Korean singer *

G.NA Gina Jane Choi (born September 13, 1987), better known by her stage name G.NA, is a Korean Canadian singer, songwriter and actress based in South Korea. She released her debut EP, ''Draw G's First Breath'', on July 14, 2010. As a solo artis ...

(born Gina Jane Choi), Canadian-born South Korean singer *

Choi Hyun-suk Choi Hyun-suk (Korean: 최현석; born April 21, 1999) is a South Korean rapper and one of two leaders of Treasure alongside Jihoon under YG Entertainment. The band debuted on August 7, 2020 with the single album entitled '' The First Step: ...

, South Korean rapper and member of boy band

Treasure Treasure (from la, thesaurus from Greek language ''thēsauros'', "treasure store") is a concentration of wealth — often originating from ancient history — that is considered lost and/or forgotten until rediscovered. Some jurisdictions le ...

Wheesung Choi Whee-sung (; born February 5, 1982), known professionally as Wheesung or by the stage name Realslow, is a South Korean R&B singer, record producer, and musical theatre actor. Career 1982: Early life and education Wheesung was born on ...

(born Choi Hwee-sung), South Korean singer * Jennifer Choi, American violinist *

Jenny Choi Jenny Choi is an American singer and cellist, who founded the Asians in Rock tour, and is the lead singer of the two-piece Chicago band, Sanawon. For many years she performed solo at the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign (where she ...

, American singer and cellist * Sulli (born Choi Jin-ri), South Korean actress and former member of girl group f(x) * Changjo (born Choi Jong-hyun), South Korean singer and member of boy band

Teen Top Teen Top () is a South Korean boy band formed by TOP Media in 2010. The group is composed of five members: C.A.P, Chunji, Niel, Ricky and Changjo. Originally a six-piece group with L.Joe, the former member had filed for contract termination in ...

Choi Jong-hoon Choi Jong-hoon (, ; born March 7, 1990) is a South Korean former musician and actor. He served as the leader, guitarist, and keyboardist of rock band F.T. Island from its debut in 2007 until his retirement from the entertainment industry in 2019. ...

, South Korean singer and member of rock band

F.T. Island F.T. Island ( ko, 에프티 아일랜드, or FT아일랜드, short for Five Treasure Island), is a South Korean rock band formed by FNC Entertainment in 2007. The band currently consists of main vocalist Lee Hong-gi, bassist Lee Jae-jin, and ...

Zelo Choi Jun-hong (Hangul: 최준홍; born October 15, 1996), better known by his stage name Zelo, is a South Korean rapper, singer, beatboxer and dancer best known as the former member of the South Korean boy group B.A.P. He made his recording de ...

(born Choi Jun-hong), South Korean singer and member of boy band

B.A.P B.A.P (; an acronym for Best Absolute Perfect) was a South Korean boy band formed in 2012 under TS Entertainment. B.A.P made their musical debut with the single "Warrior" on January 26, 2012, followed by the release of their debut EP ''Warrio ...

Choi Jung-in Choi Jung-in (; born December 7, 1980), also known mononymously as Jung-in, is a South Korean singer of Jungle Entertainment. She debuted in Leessang's "Rush" and was once part of the five-member group G.Fla until disbanding after three years. ...

, South Korean singer * Choi Jung-won, South Korean singer * Ren (born Choi Min-gi), South Korean actor, singer, and television personality, member of boy band

NU'EST NU'EST (; short for New Establish Style Tempo) was a South Korean boy band formed and managed by Pledis Entertainment. The group consisted of five members: JR, Aron, Baekho, Minhyun and Ren. They debuted on March 15, 2012, with the single ...

Choi Min-ho Choi Min-ho (; born December 9, 1991), better known by the mononym Minho, is a South Korean rapper, singer, actor, songwriter, and model. In May 2008, he debuted as a member of South Korean boy group Shinee which later became one of the best-se ...

, South Korean singer, member of boy band

Shinee Shinee ( ; ko, 샤이니, Syaini; ja, シャイニー, Shainī; stylized as SHINee) is a South Korean boy band formed by SM Entertainment in 2008. The group's musical impact in their native country has earned them numerous accolades and th ...

* Choi Min-hwan, South Korean singer and drummer, member of rock band

T.O.P Choi Seung-hyun (; born November 4, 1987), better known by his stage name T.O.P, is a South Korean rapper, singer, songwriter, record producer and actor. He performed as an underground rapper before joining the record label YG Entertainment and ...

(born Choi Seung-hyun), South Korean actor and singer, member of boy band Big Bang * Choi Siwon, south Korean actor and singer, member of boy band Super Junior *

Choi Soo-young Choi Soo-young (; born February 10, 1990), professionally known as Sooyoung, is a South Korean singer, actress and songwriter. She was a member of the short-lived Korean-Japanese singing duo Route 0 during 2002 in Japan. After returning to Sou ...

, South Korean actress and singer, member of girl group Girls' Generation * Choi Sung-min, South Korean singer, member of boy band

Speed In everyday use and in kinematics, the speed (commonly referred to as ''v'') of an object is the magnitude Magnitude may refer to: Mathematics *Euclidean vector, a quantity defined by both its magnitude and its direction *Magnitude (ma ...

and the co-ed group

Coed School Coed School ( Korean: 남녀공학) was a South Korean pop group formed by record company Core Contents Media in 2010. The co-ed group consisted of four female members: Soomi, Hyoyoung, Hyewon, and Chanmi; and six male members: Taewoon, Sungmi ...

Bada Bada (stylized as bada; Korean: ) is a discontinued mobile operating system developed by Samsung Electronics for devices such as mid- to high-end smartphones and tablet computers. The name is derived from " (bada)", meaning "ocean" or "sea" in ...

(born Choi Sung-hee), South Korean singer and musical theatre actress *

Viktor Tsoi Viktor Robertovich Tsoi (russian: Виктор Робертович Цой; ; 21 June 1962 – 15 August 1990) was a Soviet singer and songwriter who co-founded Kino, one of the most popular and musically influential bands in the history of ...

, Soviet rock musician, leader of rock band

Kino Kino may refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasters * KINO, a radio station in Arizona, U.S. * Kino FM (98.0 FM – Moscow), a Russian music radio station * KinoTV, now Ruutu+ Leffat ja Sarjat, a Finnish TV channel Fictional entiti ...

Choi Ye-na Choi Ye-na (, born September 29, 1999), known mononymously as Yena, is a South Korean singer and actress. She is a former member of temporary girl group Iz*One after finishing fourth on Mnet's reality girl group survival show ''Produce 48''. ...

, South Korean singer and former member of girl group

Iz*One Iz*One ( ; ko, 아이즈원, Aijeuwon; ja, アイズワン, Aizuwan; stylized as IZ*ONE) was a South Korean–Japanese girl group formed through the Mnet reality competition show '' Produce 48''. The group was composed of twelve members: J ...

Choi Young-jae Choi Young-jae (; born 17 September 1996), professionally known by the mononym Youngjae, is a South Korean singer-songwriter and actor. He is the main vocalist of the Korean boy group Got7. Biography Choi started dreaming of becoming a sing ...

, South Korean actor and singer, member of boy band Got7 * Choi Yoo-jung, South Korean singer, member of girl groups

I.O.I I.O.I (; also known as IOI or Ideal of Idol) was a South Korean girl group formed by CJ E&M through the 2016 reality show ''Produce 101'' on Mnet. The group was composed of eleven members chosen from a pool of 101 trainees from various enterta ...

and

Weki Meki Weki Meki (; abbreviated as WEME or WKMK) is a South Korean girl group formed by Fantagio in 2017. The group consists of eight members: Suyeon, Elly, Yoojung, Doyeon, Sei, Lua, Rina, and Lucy. History Pre-debut The members started out as trai ...

* Choi Yu-jin, South Korean singer and actress, member of girl groups CLC and

Kep1er Kep1er (; ) is a South Korean girl group formed through the Mnet (TV channel), Mnet Reality show, reality survival competition show ''Girls Planet 999'' in 2021 and managed by Swing Entertainment and Wake One Entertainment. The group is composed ...

* Yuju (born Choi Yu-na), South Korean singer, former member of girl group

GFriend GFriend (stylized in all caps; ) was a South Korean girl group formed by Source Music in 2015. The group consisted of six members: Sowon, Yerin, Eunha, Yuju, SinB, and Umji. They debuted with the extended play (EP) '' Season of Glass'' on Ja ...

Hyojung Choi Hyo-jung (; born on July 28, 1994), better known mononymously as Hyojung is a South Korean singer. She is the leader of the South Korean girl group Oh My Girl. Early life Hyojung was born on July 28, 1994, in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do, South K ...

(born Choi Hyo-jung), South Korean singer, member of girl group

Oh My Girl Oh My Girl (, also stylized as OH MY GIRL and OMG) is a South Korean girl group formed by WM Entertainment. The group is composed of six members: Hyojung, Mimi, YooA, Seunghee, Yubin and Arin. Originally an eight-piece group, JinE left the gro ...

* Arin (born Choi Ye-won), South Korean singer, member of girl group

Cui Jian Cui Jian ( zh, c=崔健, p=Cuī Jiàn, ; born 2 August 1961) is a Beijing-based Chinese singer-songwriter, trumpeter and guitarist. Affectionately called "Old Cui" (), he pioneered Chinese rock music. For this distinction Cui Jian is often l ...

, Chinese rock musician

Sports

Choi Cheol-han Choi Cheol-han is a South Korean professional Go player. He is the fourth youngest (12 years 2 months) to become a professional Go player in South Korean history behind Cho Hun-hyun (9 years 7 months), Lee Chang-ho (11 years 1 months) and ...

, South Korean professional Go player *

Choe Chol-su Choe Chol-su (born December 1, 1969) is a North Korean boxer who won the gold medal in the men's Flyweight (51 kg) category at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. Olympic results * Defeated Moustafa Esmail (Egypt) 7-4 * Defeated Paul I ...

(born 1969), North Korean boxer *

Choi Da-bin Choi Da-bin (Hangul: 최다빈; born January 19, 2000) is a South Korean figure skater. She is the 2017 Asian Winter Games champion and a 5-time South Korean national medalist (three silver, two bronze). She has placed in the top ten at the 2 ...

(born 2000), South Korean figure skater *

Choi Eun-kyung Choi Eun-kyung ( Hangul: 최은경, Hanja: 崔恩景, born December 26, 1984) is a South Korean short track speed skater. She is a double Olympic Champion in relays and a two-time Overall World Champion for 2003 and 2004. Biography At the ...

(born 1984), South Korean short track speed skater and double Olympic Champion * Choi Eun-kyung (field hockey) (born 1971), South Korean former field hockey player *

Hee-seop Choi Hee-seop Choi (; Hangul: 최희섭; Hanja: 崔熙燮; ; born March 16, 1979) is a South Korean former professional baseball first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Florida Marlins, and Los Angeles Dodgers ...

(born 1979), South Korean former professional baseball player *

Choi Hong-man Choi Hong-man (Korean: 최홍만, Hanja: 崔洪萬; born October 30, 1980), often anglicised to Hongman Choi, is a South Korean kickboxer, mixed martial artist, and former ssireum wrestler. In Asia, he is called "Che Man", "Techno Goliath", "K ...

(born 1980), South Korean kickboxer * Ji-man Choi (born 1991), South Korean professional baseball player * Choi Jin-cheul (born 1971), South Korean former football player *

Choi Jung-won (speed skater) Choi Jung-Won (Hangul: 최정원, Hanja: 崔貞洹) (born March 16, 1990) is a South Korean female short track speed skating, short track speed skater. See also * South Korea at the 2010 Winter Olympics. References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Ch ...

(born 1990), South Korean short track speed skater *

Choi Kwang-jo Choi Kwang-jo (born March 2, 1942) is a former South Korean national champion in taekwondo, and is one of the twelve original masters of taekwondo of the Korea Taekwon-Do Association.Choi, H. H. (1972): ''Taekwon-Do: The Korean art of self-def ...

(born 1942), South Korean martial artist, founder and head of '' Choi Kwang-Do'' *

Choi Kyung-ju Choi Kyung-Ju ( ko, 최경주; born 19 May 1970), commonly known as K. J. Choi, is a South Korean professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour and PGA Tour Champions. Since turning pro in 1994, he has won more than twenty pr ...

(born 1970, better known as K. J. Choi), South Korean professional golfer *

Choi Mi-sun Choi Mi-sun (; born 1 July 1996) is a South Korean professional recurve archer. She won gold medal in the women's team event at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Career 2015: Instant success Choi made her international debut in Ma ...

(born 1966), South Korean recurve

archer Archery is the sport, practice, or skill of using a bow to shoot arrows.Paterson ''Encyclopaedia of Archery'' p. 17 The word comes from the Latin ''arcus'', meaning bow. Historically, archery has been used for hunting and combat. In m ...

Choe Myong-ho Choe Myong-ho (Chosŏn'gŭl: 최명호, born 3 July 1988) is a North Korean footballer who currently plays for Visakha in the Cambodian Premier League. Career Born in Pyongyang, Choe was one of the first native North Koreans to join a club ab ...

(born 1988), North Korean football player * Choi Myung-hoon (born 1975), South Korean professional Go player * Choi Na-yeon (born 1987), South Korean professional golfer *

Choi Soon-ho Choi Soon-ho (Hangul: 최순호; Hanja: 崔淳鎬; born 10 January 1962) is a former South Korean football manager and player. International career Choi was named in the South Korean squad for the 1980 AFC Asian Cup. He scored seven goals ...

(born 1962), South Korean football manager and former professional football player * Choi Sung-kuk (born 1983), South Korean former football player * Choi Sung-yong (born 1975), South Korean former football player * Choi Tae-uk (born 1981), South Korean former football player *

Choi Won-jong Choi Won-jong is a South Korean archer. At the 2005 Korean National Sports Festival in Ulsan, Choi set a world record by shooting a perfect score of 120 (twelve consecutive shots in the bullseye) in the semifinals of the club-division archery ind ...

, South Korean archer * Choi Won-kwon (born 1981), South Korean former football player *

Choi Yeon-sung Choi Yeon-sung, also known as iloveoov, is a retired professional Korean ''StarCraft'' player, and formerly a coach for the Afreeca Freecs' ''League of Legends'' team. As a Terran player he was known for his excellent macromanagement, leading ...

, South Korean retired professional StarCraft player * Choe Yeong-ui (1923–1994, better known as Mas Oyama), karate master who founded

Kyokushin is a style of karate originating in Japan. It is a style of stand-up fighting and is rooted in a philosophy of self-improvement, discipline, and hard training. Kyokushin Kaikan is the martial arts organization founded in 1964 by Korean-Jap ...

karate * Choi Yong-soo (born 1973), South Korean footballer *

Choi Yong-soo (boxer) Yong-soo Choi (Hangul: 최용수, Hanja: 崔龍洙) (born August 20, 1972 in Dangjin, Chungcheongnam-do, South Korea) is a former boxer from South Korea. In 1993, he won the Orient and Pacific Boxing Federation super featherweight title. In 1 ...

(1972), South Korean retired boxer * Choi Yong-sool (1904–1986), founder of

Hapkido Hapkido ( , , also spelled ''hap ki do'' or ''hapki-do''; from Korean 합기도 ''hapgido'' ) is a hybrid Korean martial art. It is a form of self-defense that employs joint locks, grappling, throwing techniques, kicks, punches, and other s ...

* Yuhui Choe (born 1986), Japanese-born Korean ballet dancer *

Choi Yu-jin (figure skater) Choi Yu-jin (Hangul: 최유진; born August 12, 2000) is a South Korean figure skater. She is the 2016 Merano Cup silver medalist. Career Choi placed 8th with a score of 136.47 in a Korean domestic competition to select skaters for the ISU Juni ...

(born 2000), South Korean figure skater * Choi Yun-kyum (born 1962), South Korean football coach

References

External links

Official site of the Gyeongju Choi Association, in Korean
{{Authority control Korean-language surnames Surnames of Korean origin