Choi Cheol-ho shared details about how he came to work as a delivery courier, loading and unloading packages due to financial hardship following a failed business venture, as well as the behind-the-scenes story of his appearance on MBN's 'Special Report World'.
On the 17th, a video featuring Choi Cheol-ho in conversation with actor Jo Sang-gu was released on the YouTube channel 'What Are You Doing These Days'.
Choi Cheol-ho referenced the assault incident that erupted during his appearance in the 2010 drama 'Dong Yi', stating, "In fact, there were injections. Normally, I don't speak harshly to others, but when I drink, I change completely and end up vomiting everything."
He also mentioned that he began drinking again due to dissatisfaction with the extent of his role at the time. He said, "I thought, 'Can I only play this kind of role?' It was painful and hurt my pride." He added, "I ended up drinking excessively, which led to neighborhood fights becoming a problem."
Regarding his initial denial of the assault to reporters immediately after the incident, Choi Cheol-ho reflected, "Without realizing it, I said, 'That never happened.' Lies beget lies. It was a major mistake and a serious error."
After the incident, he halted his activities for about four years and faced financial difficulties due to advertising breach-of-contract penalties. Although he later returned as an actor, he entered the business of recruiting Southeast Asian international students to make a living.
Choi Cheol-ho stated, "I took out loans and invested heavily, but then COVID-19 hit. I kept taking out loans to survive." He eventually sold his home to pay off debts and moved in with his wife's family.
He reportedly stayed in a motel for about a month and relied on alcohol. He said, "The longer time passed, the more painful it became, so I drank even more. My room was filled with bottles of alcohol." He added, "In the end, my body trembled, and I was on the verge of death."
Choi Cheol-ho explained that he asked Pastor Jung Woon-taek, a former actor turned pastor, for help, pleading, "Please save me." With Jung Woon-taek's assistance, he stayed at an educational center of a church in Incheon and began to recover.
To make a living, he started working as a delivery courier, loading and unloading packages for 180,000 won per day. Working from 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. the next day, he earned approximately 3.4 million won per month, continuing this lifestyle for about six months.
At that time, Choi Cheol-ho was introduced to the production team of 'Special Report World', who were trying to recruit Jung Woon-taek. Choi Cheol-ho relayed, "Jung Woon-taek said, 'I'm now focused on pastoral work and have nothing to film. There's someone who has completely fallen apart,' and introduced me."
Initially, he considered giving up filming because he was told his family must appear with him, but changed his mind after being persuaded by his roommate.
He candidly admitted that the appearance fee also influenced his decision to appear. Choi Cheol-ho said, "I thought they would pay more than my daily wage of 180,000 won, so I asked about the appearance fee. They told me I'd receive around 1.5 million won after filming three episodes. When I calculated it, I realized it was equivalent to ten days' worth of earnings, so I agreed."
He added, "I didn't realize my delivery work would cause such a stir. Many acquaintances contacted me."
Choi Cheol-ho initially denied assaulting a junior female colleague after drinking in 2010 but later admitted to it after CCTV footage was released. In 2020, he gained renewed attention when 'Special Report World' reported on his work at a logistics center for delivery services.
In 2022, he was arrested by police for causing a disturbance while drunk at the home of a company representative, sparking further controversy. He appeared again on 'Special Report World' last June and apologized for his past behavior.
in ENTERTAINMENT
