‘Sugar’ Choi Ji-woo Moves Audience with Child Actor ‘Ko Dong-ha’! A Prodigy in Acting is Set to be Born!

Child actor Ko Dong-ha has been cast as the lead in the movie 〈Sugar〉, heralding the birth of a new acting prodigy who will dominate the screen. Ko Dong-ha plays the key role of the son 'Dong-myeong' in the film 〈Sugar〉, alongside his mother role played by Choi Ji-woo, and is expected to evoke tears from audiences in the new year of 2026. The film 〈Sugar〉 is a human drama based on a true story that captures the passionate love and growth of a mother, Mira (Choi Ji-woo), who created medical devices herself to overcome legal and regulatory barriers for her young son diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. Ko Dong-ha takes on the role of the 12-year-old boy 'Dong-myeong', who must bear the weight of a lifelong disease while receiving his mother's devoted love.

Having appeared in major hit dramas such as 'The Lady in Dignity', 'Missing: They Were Here', 'Bossam: Steal the Fate', and 'Queen of Tears', Ko Dong-ha has gained recognition for his captivating presence and delicate emotional expressions that are beyond his years, attracting the attention of industry insiders. He has diligently built his filmography through various works and is set to challenge his first leading role in a feature film with 〈Sugar〉, where he will showcase profound acting. According to the production team, Ko Dong-ha demonstrated emotional depth and focus comparable to adult actors during auditions, earning unanimous approval from the judges.

In particular, the character 'Dong-myeong' played by Ko Dong-ha is a challenging role that requires expressing the complex inner world and physical pain of a teenage boy, going beyond mere illness. Ko Dong-ha conducted thorough research and practice to realistically portray the symptoms of hypoglycemic shock (cold sweat, trembling hands, blurred vision, etc.) experienced by actual Type 1 diabetes patients, and it is said that he received standing ovations from the staff for his 'method acting' on set. Additionally, he underwent intense baseball training for several months to fit the character of a pitcher and batter in the baseball team. His dynamic portrayal of throwing the ball healthily on the mound and his poignant moments in the hospital are expected to maximize the film's immersion.

A representative from the production company stated, “Ko Dong-ha is not just a child actor who acts well, but an actor who possesses the power to dominate the entire emotional landscape of the film,” adding, “The energy exchanged with actress Choi Ji-woo was significant. Audiences will discover the amazing actor Ko Dong-ha through this film.” With solid acting skills, Ko Dong-ha has perfectly transformed into 'Dong-myeong', the reason for Mira's struggle and the embodiment of the world itself. There is great anticipation for whether his authentic resonance will capture the hearts of the audience. Meanwhile, the film 〈Sugar〉, depicting the heartfelt family love and hope of Choi Ji-woo, Min Jin-woong, and Ko Dong-ha, is set to be released in January 2026.