The latest news on mixed martial artist Choi Hong-man has been reported.
On the 28th, tvN's 'Free Doctor' aired a segment titled 'The shocking recent news of stars who disappeared with the wind.'
The broadcast covered the recent situation of Choi Hong-man, known as the 'Techno Goliath,' who was a key figure in the early 2000s martial arts craze.
A reporter noted that Choi Hong-man has been living in the mountains of his hometown, Jeju Island, for the past six years. "He spends most of his time alone and only goes out in the early morning when there are not many people. He feels anxious if he doesn't wear a mask, making it difficult for him to go outdoors. Thus, he is said to have moved to Jeju Island, a relatively quiet and less crowded place."
The reason he chose a reclusive lifestyle is due to social anxiety from accumulated wounds inflicted by people. In 2011, he faced a scandal involving rumors of assaulting a female college student, which caused a significant backlash. Although Choi Hong-man was acquitted, the stigma persisted, making it difficult for him to restore his image.
Choi Hong-man issued several statements regarding the incident, but the controversy did not subside. In 2021, he appeared on a Japanese variety show, revealing that he was living in Osaka, and expressed his social anxiety stemming from severe criticism and hateful comments.
However, he has not retired. He expresses a desire to compete in top form. In fact, in January, through social media, Choi Hong-man stated, “I will make a comeback this year. I will return in the best condition,” hinting at his return to mixed martial arts and generating anticipation.
Meanwhile, the broadcast also shared the latest news about singer Maya, who gained a megahit with the song 'Azalea Flower.' She completely disappeared from the scene after a drama in 2013, but in 2015, Maya shared on social media, "I stopped broadcasting to study traditional Korean music. Living in the mountains is my ultimate goal."
The reason Maya suddenly chose the path of traditional Korean music is as follows. She reached her peak immediately after her debut with 'Azalea Flower,' but subsequent albums did not achieve the level of popularity that the public or she had expected. Eventually, after her fourth album in 2009, she parted ways with her agency and went on a nationwide Ramsar Wetland tour. After this trip, Maya resolved to live the life she wanted and took on traditional Korean music.
Additionally, recently, Maya added the phrase, “I strive to live a happy life without foolishness, knowing the principles,” to her social media, and she has been living as an urban farmer in Yongin, Gyeonggi Province, for five years. She shares updates about her rural life on social media, actively participating in harvesting various crops and engaging in weeding.
[Photo] Broadcast capture
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