Choi Min Sik shared his thoughts on Netflix’s “Notes from the Last Row” and said he is satisfied with the finished series.
Released on June 26, “Notes from the Last Row” is a suspense drama about Heo Moon Oh, a failed writer and Korean literature professor, who discovers the writing talent of Lee Kang, a student sitting in the last row of his class.
Choi Min Sik plays Heo Moon Oh, a professor who has lived with feelings of inferiority and defeat. Through the character, he shows a person slowly falling apart as he becomes deeply drawn to Lee Kang’s writing.
The drama is gaining attention both in Korea and overseas. According to FlixPatrol, “Notes from the Last Row” entered Netflix’s Top 10 in 41 countries, including Korea, Greece, Malaysia, Morocco, Vietnam, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Indonesia, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, and Hong Kong.
When asked if he saw viewers’ reactions after the release, Choi Min Sik said, “I saw a little. Many people said such kind things that I thought, ‘Is it okay to receive this much praise? Thank you.’”
The actor also understood that the drama may not be for everyone because of its heavy mood. He said, “It seems like the reactions are a little divided,” adding that some viewers may feel tired because the series makes people think and does not have many cheerful moments.
Still, Choi Min Sik said he accepted the mixed reactions. He explained, “How can one work win everyone’s heart? I think it is natural for people to have different likes and dislikes.”
He added that he was thankful many viewers still watched the drama seriously, saying the story carries deeper messages about human emotions.
Choi Min Sik also shared his satisfaction with the project, saying, “It felt like I had done a play after a long time, so I liked it.”
He explained that while the original work and the film “In the House” focused more on art and observation, the Korean version added thriller and suspense elements.
He said the drama exposed emotions people often do not want to show, such as inferiority, defeat, and jealousy. He added, “In that sense, I really liked it.”
Choi Min Sik also shared that he tried to understand Heo Moon Oh from the character’s point of view. He said that when he first read the script, he thought the character was not easy to approach, but he also felt sympathy for him.
He explained, “When I entered the character, I thought, ‘Let’s stand on Heo Moon Oh’s side more than anyone.’”
“Notes from the Last Row” has 6 episodes and is based on the play of the same name by Spanish playwright Juan Mayorga. All episodes are now available on Netflix.
