After Disappearing from the Entertainment Industry, Fortuneteller Choi Chang-min Says, "I Was Destined to Die Young"

SBS 'Bultaneun Cheongchun' capture

[Asia Economy Online Issue Team] Choi Chang-min (Choi Je-woo), a former original ulzzang idol who gained popularity in the 90s and is now a fortune teller, revealed the story of how he fell into debt in his 20s and the reason he started studying Myeongrihak (Korean fortune-telling based on the Four Pillars of Destiny).

On the night of the 19th, Choi Chang-min appeared as a new friend on SBS's New Year's special "Burning Youth," having disappeared from the public eye after being a youth star in the 90s and later becoming a fortune teller.

That day, Choi Chang-min confessed that during his peak activity period, he had to stop his career after incurring debts of over a hundred million won due to an investment fraud. He recalled, "The company wanted me to release one more album, but there was a problem with the investment funds. I had even entrusted my seal, but everything was signed in my name." He added, "That was when I was twenty. I think the debt was around 200 to 300 million won, and I repaid it alone by doing daily labor jobs. It took about three years to resolve."

Choi Chang-min revealed that he encountered Myeongrihak during the difficult period caused by the fraud. He said, "I met a Myeongrihak teacher who looked at me and said, 'You should have died early, so why are you still alive?' I had such thoughts in my twenties, so I was speechless." He continued, "I studied Myeongrihak while working part-time delivering packages on the subway."

Choi Chang-min debuted as a singer in 1998, gaining popularity with hit songs like "Hero" and "Jjang," and also worked as an actor appearing in SBS sitcoms such as "How Do I Look?" Afterward, he stopped his entertainment activities and disappeared from the public eye, but recently changed his name to Choi Je-woo and has been living as a fortune teller, attracting attention.