Comedian Choi Hyung-man has shared his poignant journey after transitioning to a pastor.
Recently, the YouTube channel 'Special World - The People of That Time' featured a video detailing Choi Hyung-man's departure from the entertainment industry to become a pastor. This video is a re-edited version of an interview with Choi from a December 2023 broadcast featuring comedian Kim Jung-min.
Choi Hyung-man was officially ordained as a pastor in 2020. He is currently serving as an associate pastor at a church in Incheon, where he has been for three years.
Reflecting on his past in the entertainment industry, Choi recalled, "At my peak, I earned over 50 million won a month." However, he revealed that he lost his entire fortune after being scammed in a screen golf business venture, which he entered upon a friend's recommendation. "I realized it was a scam within a month and filed a lawsuit. In exactly four years, I lost about 1 billion won," he explained. The loss was equivalent to the price of three apartments in Mok-dong, Seoul, at the time.
Choi also opened up about the severe emotional distress he experienced after losing his wealth. "The moment you think 'I was used, I was scammed, my things were taken,' you start to hate people intensely. I would wake up at night and punch the wall, thinking, 'What is my life? I should just end it.' It got to that point," he recounted.
Health challenges followed. A year after his ordination, Choi was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He underwent three surgeries, resulting in the loss of hearing in his left ear.
Choi credits his family's support for helping him overcome these crises. His wife, Kim Hye-jin, stated, "Even though our income is now a tenth of what it was when you had many jobs and lectures, I am honestly happier now." She added, "You were sick, but you recovered and regained your health, and we spend more time together as a family. I am happier with this."
Min-kyung Lee, Ten Asia Reporter 2min_ror@tenasia.co.kr