Choi Hyun-wook holds his own opposite 45-year veteran Choi Min-sik in Netflix's 'Man in the Last Row Boy'

Netflix's Man in the Last Row Boy hit the platform's Global TOP10 three days after release. A suspense drama pairing a 45-year industry veteran against an actor who debuted in 2019.

Choi Min-sik, who debuted in 1981, plays Heo Moon-o, a failed writer turned Korean literature professor. Choi Hyun-wook, debuting in 2019, plays Lee Gang, a boy with genius-level writing talent who sits in the back row of Heo's classroom. The series follows what happens when the professor becomes fascinated—then obsessed—with the boy's writing.

Choi Min-sik was direct about the casting: "I couldn't think of anyone but Choi Hyun-wook for the role of Lee Gang." Choi Hyun-wook said he was "overwhelmed by the senior's energy."

Choi Hyun-wook has been landing lead roles consistently since Weak Hero, and Man in the Last Row Boy is his highest-profile pairing yet. Forty-five years of screen presence is a lot to stand next to—apparently he managed it.