[Reporter Jeong An-ji, Sportschosun] Actor Choi Cheol-ho bowed his head once again as he personally revealed the full story behind his past drunken rampage controversy.
On the MBN program 'Special Report World' aired on the 18th, Choi Cheol-ho's recent life was revealed after he had previously been embroiled in controversy over drunken violence and disruptive behavior.
Choi Cheol-ho had once drawn attention in 2020 when he appeared on 'Special Report World' after being removed from a drama and failing in business following controversy over assaulting a junior female colleague and giving false explanations at a press conference. At the time, he said he was working as a day laborer at a parcel logistics center.
His remorse over the past and his hard work while sweating through daily labor earned public support, and he later got another chance to return. However, in 2022, he was arrested by police after causing a drunken disturbance at the home of a company CEO, sparking another controversy.
Choi Cheol-ho revealed the full story behind the drunken disturbance. He said, "An older acquaintance felt sorry for me and introduced me to a job that paid a large commission if I sold one kitchen machine," adding, "I was promised a 100 million won commission after closing a large contract, but the company I signed with later changed its story and said it could not pay the full amount, which caused the problem."
Choi Cheol-ho said, "I received 10 million won, but I could not get the rest," and added, "He was not the kind of person who would do that, but he happened to not answer my calls. I was desperate and came all the way to his house, but it was so cold. So I drank. I was out of my mind, thinking I was going to storm the scene."
Police were eventually dispatched after a nearby resident reported the incident, and the case ended with a warning and release.
Choi Cheol-ho apologized, saying, "I later learned that someone nearby had reported it. He must have been so shocked," and added, "No matter the reason, it was an illegal act. It was crazy. I am sorry." He then bowed his head again, saying, "Many people supported me because I was trying to live hard, but I caused another disgraceful incident, so I have nothing to say. I am sorry."
Choi Cheol-ho later visited a store run by the former head of his agency, who had been involved in the drunken disturbance incident. He apologized, saying, "There was a problem because he said he could not pay me. I received 10 million won, but not the rest," and added, "I called him in a hurry, but he did not answer. With so many people gathering, I even thought, 'Could it be him?'"
In response, the former agency head said, "I had gone down to the provinces, and the next day I got a call from the police station," adding, "They said, 'We were not harmed at all, nothing happened. He probably came because he had a drink and had something built up inside.' So it ended well, and I forgot about it." Choi Cheol-ho, who said he had briefly suspected even his acquaintance because he was desperate, apologized once more, saying, "It was all my fault."
Choi Cheol-ho also said, "Alcohol is the problem. It was not addiction, but my behavior when I drank that was the problem. I hurt so many people, especially my family, and I am a sinner," adding, "I started my first step by quitting alcohol," and revealed that he has now been sober for two years as he tries to make a fresh start.
anjee85@sportschosun.com
