Choi Hong-man, a broadcaster and former mixed martial arts fighter, broke his long silence and revealed his current condition after being falsely accused of assaulting a female college student and facing various controversies.
On the Apr. 4 episode of MBC entertainment show Omniscient Interfering View, Choi's daily life after starting a new life on Jeju Island was portrayed. Standing 217 cm tall, his massive frame made even a queen-size bed look small, drawing attention from his very first appearance.
Choi Hong-man confessed, "It's been four to five years since I took a break from broadcasting activities. I lived on Jeju Island," and added, "I had severe social anxiety, but I overcame it through exercise. By not meeting people and only exercising, I gradually got better." He had once faced public criticism and a difficult psychological time amid allegations of assaulting a female college student, unpaid manager wages, and fraud controversies.
His day began at 4 a.m. Before sunrise, Choi started the day with a carton of eggs and eight yogurts. He maintained strict self-care, saying he "takes about 20 supplements a day." He squeezed into a small compact car driven by his Jeju manager to go out for early-morning exercise. He also showed consideration for others, saying, "I wear red clothes because I'm worried people might be startled when they see my large size."
After exercising, he went to a rice cake shop in Jeju. He said, "I've been working part-time at the rice cake shop for two years," and laughed, "I sometimes get paid a daily wage, but they give me a lot of rice cakes, and I like that more." He then put on a sanitary cap and apron and deftly handled dough, coating it with red bean powder. A scene in which he lifted 12 kg of rice cake dough with one hand drew admiration.
Choi said, "Now my dream is to live a normal life like an ordinary citizen rather than pursue grand goals," and added, "I want to live quietly on Jeju Island, exercising and learning to make rice cakes."
Once known as the "techno Goliath" who dominated the fighting stage, Choi Hong-man had lost himself amid the world's misunderstandings and prejudices, but he now seemed to have found true peace in a humble daily life.
[Photo] OSEN DB, MBC Omniscient Interfering View broadcast capture
[OSEN]