Former professional baseball player Choi Jun-seok said he was swindled by an acquaintance in a building investment scheme worth more than 2 billion won, and shared that he has been struggling financially, including moving from a jeonse to a monthly rental.
Choi Jun-seok appeared on KBS 2TV "Boss in the mirror" on the 21st and revealed that he was the victim of an investment scam worth more than 2 billion won. Looking gaunt, he said he lost 40 kilograms by eating one meal a day and exercising, and is currently maintaining his weight in the 110-kilogram range.
Choi said he was swindled in a building investment by an acquaintance he had been as close as family with for more than 10 years, and confessed that the damage exceeded 2 billion won. Choi, who said he runs a baseball academy in Changwon, South Gyeongsang, noted, "During the baseball season, I also work as a commentator and sell agricultural products," sharing an update.
Explaining why he jumped into business after retirement, he said, "Because my salary was high during my playing days, I wanted to earn that much again, and I longed for success stories."
Choi Jun-seok's life became drastically harder after the fraud. Regretting that he pushed ahead with the investment despite his wife's opposition, he said, "I secretly changed our home from a jeonse to a monthly rental, and in the process I incurred debt." He said he prioritizes using what he earns to repay debt over living expenses.
Choi Jun-seok expressed remorse and gratitude toward his wife. He said, "People know her as Choi Jun-seok's wife, but she's been trying to help by working part-time, and recently she started working as a hospital coordinator," and added, "We nearly ended up in court, but my wife held on and endured, and now we're working hard and getting by."