Park Miseon’s Son Changed His Last Name and Became a Stage Actor — His Own Father Didn’t Recognize Him

It’s been quietly making the rounds, and now everyone’s talking about it: the son of beloved comedian couple Park Miseon and Lee Bong-won has been carving out his own acting career under the name Choi Sang-yeop — with a completely different last name. What makes the story even more charming? His own father, Lee Bong-won, showed up to one of his stage performances and reportedly couldn’t even pick him out in the cast. The kid who was always quiet at home had transformed into a completely different person the moment he stepped on stage.

A YouTube Video That Spilled the Sweetest Secret

On June 30, 2026, the web variety show New Women, released on the YouTube channel Rolling Thunder, featured comedians Park Miseon, Jo Hye-ryun, and Lee Gyeong-sil sitting down for a candid conversation about family and life. That’s when Jo Hye-ryun dropped a bit of an unexpected bombshell — revealing that Park Miseon’s son had changed his surname and was quietly working as a stage actor.

Jo Hye-ryun explained that she had first encountered him two years earlier during auditions for the play I Love You, Mom, but had no idea who he was at the time. “He had changed his last name to Choi, so I had absolutely no clue he was Park Miseon’s son,” she said, adding, “He was so charming and good-looking — and his acting was genuinely impressive.”

But the moment that had everyone laughing? Jo Hye-ryun recalled the time Lee Bong-won came to watch his son perform. “The funny thing is, Bong-won came to see his own son act — and he couldn’t find him in the cast. He’s always been so quiet at home, but he performs so differently on stage that even his dad didn’t recognize him.” It’s the kind of story that’s both hilarious and oddly heartwarming.

So Why Did He Change His Last Name?

The reason behind the name change turns out to be deeply intentional. Sang-yeop chose to go by the surname Choi in order to avoid the advantages — and the baggage — that come with being the child of two of Korea’s most recognizable comedians. He understood better than anyone that being labeled a “celebrity kid” can trigger unfair expectations and unwanted spotlight, and he simply wanted to be judged on his own merits.

Park Miseon herself opened up about how she feels about it all, and her honesty was refreshing. “He wanted to act, and you can’t control your kids. I wish he hadn’t gone into this industry, but I suppose there’s nothing I can do,” she said. She also revealed a funny piece of family history: “When he was little, his dream was to be a comedian. His dad and I even gave him early comedy training ourselves.” The couple had genuinely hoped their son would follow in their footsteps — they coached him, encouraged him, pictured him on the comedy stage. And then one day, he announced he wasn’t going to be a comedian after all. “I was a little hurt, honestly,” Park Miseon admitted with a laugh.

Actor Choi Sang-yeop: Where Is He Now?

Choi Sang-yeop graduated from Incheon National University with a degree in performing arts and has been steadily building his acting résumé ever since. He’s currently signed with Cube Entertainment — the same agency as his parents — and has appeared in several stage productions including I Love You, Mom, Please Fill Mimi, The Hamlet Trial, and Orlando. His screen credits are also growing, with roles in the films How to Draw the Line, Our Neighborhood Superhero, and Airdrop, as well as the KBS 1TV historical drama Battle of Cheongsanri: Reconstruction.

The fact that he ended up at Cube Entertainment — the same agency as his parents — is a curious detail. He changed his name, auditioned independently, and proved himself on his own terms. Yet somehow, they all ended up under the same roof. What matters, though, is how he got there: not through connections, but through his own talent. That distinction speaks volumes about what kind of actor — and person — Choi Sang-yeop is choosing to be.

Park Miseon’s Comeback After Her Health Battle

There’s an added layer of emotion to all of this when you consider what Park Miseon has been through. During the same episode, she opened up about her breast cancer diagnosis and the chemotherapy and radiation treatments she underwent. She’s now finished treatment and is in the monitoring stage — and she’s ready to get back to work.

Park Miseon is set to return as a host on the upcoming MBN variety show Burning House (working title), slated to air in June 2026, with Lee Bong-won also appearing on the show. It will be her first hosting gig in about a year and a half, following the conclusion of TV Chosun’s Now I’m Alone in December 2024. For fans who have been rooting for her recovery, seeing her back on screen is more than just entertainment news — it’s genuinely good news.

While the son quietly earns his stripes on stage, the mother is reclaiming her place in front of the camera after one of the hardest chapters of her life. The Park Miseon and Lee Bong-won family is making their respective returns, each in their own way. As for Choi Sang-yeop — with a name he chose for himself and a talent his own father almost didn’t see coming — it’ll be worth watching to see just how far he goes.

Sources

• “His acting was so good even his father didn’t recognize him” — Comedian couple’s son changes surname and enters theater world – Herald Economy
• Park Miseon & Lee Bong-won’s son latest update — Jo Hye-ryun: “He changed his name and made his acting debut” – Financial News
• “Changed his name to debut, and he’s handsome too” — Lee Bong-won and Park Miseon’s son turns out to be an actor – Sidae
• Park Miseon’s son gives up comedian dream, suddenly pivots to acting – TV Report
• Park Miseon, who underwent 16 rounds of radiation, shares a surprise health update – Herald Economy