Choi Jin-sil (December 24, 1968 – October 2, 2008) was a South Korean actress and model. She was considered as one of the best actresses in South Korea, nicknamed "The Nation's Actress". On October 2, 2008, Choi was found dead at her home, and the police chief stated that it was "a clear case of suicide". It has been speculated that negative comments by Korean netizens and rumors regarding her lending money to Ahn Jae-hwan contributed to Choi's depressed state.

Choi Jin-sil was born as the first child to her parents Choi Guk-hyeon and Jeong Ok-sun in Seoul, South Korea on December 24, 1968. She had a younger brother, Choi Jin-yeong (최진영) who is also an actor as well as a singer. Choi Jae-seong (최재성), star in 1980s and early 90s is her cousin on paternal side. Her family was so poor that her mother once managed the household by running a pojangmacha (a small street stall selling foods). She dreamed of becoming a star to survive from the poverty. She confessed in talk shows her nickname during her school days was "Choisujebi" because she used to eat sujebi (a dumpling soup) everyday instead of ordinary meals due to the home environment. Although Choi later became a high-paid model and actress, she was known for frugality, so she was honored by the South Korea president as "King of Savings".

After graduation from Seonil Girls' High School, Choi debuted as a TV actress starring in the MBC historical drama, 500 Years of Joseon Dynasty (조선왕조 500년). In the following year, she began to gain stardom by starring in a advertising campaign for Samsung Electronics in which she acted as a newly wedded housewife. After several experiences in TV dramas as a supporting actress, and Choi was cast as leading roles in the MBC drama Our Paradise (우리들의 천국) and in the movie titled Partisans of South Korea (남부군).