Jeju Island, South Korea—Former kickboxing and MMA giant Choi Hong-man (45) has resurfaced in the public eye, revealing a quieter, more grounded life on Jeju Island after years away from the spotlight. Standing at 217 cm (7 ft 2 in), the former fighter had stepped away from broadcasting for nearly five years, battling severe social anxiety (대인기피증) that led him to seek refuge on the island. His story of overcoming his struggles through exercise and finding work as an ordinary citizen was featured on the recent episode of the MBC variety show, Omniscient Interfering View.
Escaping the Spotlight on Jeju
Choi Hong-man, whose immense stature once dominated the ring and the small screen, confessed that his break from public life was necessary to manage profound social anxiety. "I was on Jeju Island for four to five years while taking a break from broadcasting," he stated during the show. "I had severe social anxiety disorder, and I overcame it through exercise here. Avoiding people and focusing only on working out naturally led to an improvement."
The episode provided a unique look into Choi's daily life, which begins before dawn. His towering figure makes everyday objects, even a queen-size bed, appear miniature. His early morning routine includes a substantial breakfast of a tray of eggs and eight rows of yogurt, alongside an array of around 20 daily supplements.
To continue his recovery and maintain his privacy, Choi's early morning workouts are undertaken while it is still dark to avoid the public gaze. Despite his efforts to be inconspicuous, he demonstrated a thoughtful meticulousness, even wearing bright red clothing. As he explained, this was to prevent people from being startled by his sudden appearance due to his massive size. He even contorts his body to fit into a small compact car driven by his local manager—a testament to his commitment to his new, quiet routine.
From Ring Warrior to Rice Cake Apprentice
Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Choi's new life is his part-time employment at a local rice cake (tteok) shop. Choi revealed that his ambition has shifted from grand goals to simply living the life of an "ordinary citizen" (소시민).
"It's been about two years now," he explained about his apprenticeship, which is part of his preparation for retirement. He earns a daily wage, but treasures the generous amount of rice cakes he receives more than the pay.
Donning an apron, hygiene cap, and gloves, the former world champion displays unexpected dexterity and tremendous strength in the kitchen. He drew gasps of admiration from the show's cast when he effortlessly lifted a 12 kg (about 26.5 lbs) block of rice cake dough with a single hand. He then swiftly moves to tasks such as coating the cakes with red bean paste and refilling the red bean crumbs, handling the work with surprising speed and efficiency.
Choi Hong-man's journey on Jeju Island is a powerful narrative of self-reinvention. By embracing a simple, strenuous routine and a hands-on trade, the man once known for his formidable presence in the fight world is quietly finding peace and overcoming personal demons. He is learning to navigate the world again, not as a spectacle, but as an aspiring, ordinary craftsman.
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