'Divorce Lawsuit with Park Ji-yoon' Choi Dong-seok Leaves and Is Completely Edited Out in Broadcast Comeback After 4 Years

Returned After 4 Years but Left After 4 Months
Recording of Couple's Fight Revealed, Causing Controversy

Former KBS announcer and broadcaster Choi Dong-seok returned to broadcasting after four years with the divorce-themed variety show 'Now Alone,' but decided to leave the show after four months due to the aftermath of his divorce.

Choi Dong-seok

Choi Dong-seok's agency Story&Plus announced on the afternoon of the 18th, "Choi Dong-seok will be leaving TV Chosun's 'Now Alone.' After lengthy discussions between the production team and the agency, the decision to withdraw was made." They also stated, "We sincerely hope this incident does not harm the program, and we deeply apologize for causing concern due to personal matters." 'Now Alone' also announced, "Starting from next week's broadcast, Choi Dong-seok will no longer appear, and previously recorded episodes featuring him will not be aired."

Choi Dong-seok, who is undergoing divorce proceedings with broadcaster Park Ji-yoon, signed an exclusive contract with his agency in June and announced his return to broadcasting. As a start, he chose the pilot program 'Now Alone' in July. In his first appearance, Choi Dong-seok said, "I did not make any decisions. I found out about the divorce through news articles. When I came home, my family was not there. So I came to Seoul to find the children," claiming he faced the divorce unprepared, which sparked public attention.

While the pilot program was being regularized, the couple's disputes escalated into an unprecedented mutual lawsuit battle, turning into a mudslinging fight. In the regular broadcast aired on the 15th, Choi Dong-seok expressed his feelings about the ongoing mutual lawsuits, saying, "I don't want to go all the way, and I regret it a lot. Regardless of whether the other party proceeds or not, I want to withdraw the lawsuit I filed. I think this will be the first step to untangling this mess."

However, on the 17th, a recording of the couple's quarrel was leaked to the media, escalating the situation beyond control. The content included verbal abuse, suspicion, surveillance, threats, insults, disparagement, and criticism, covering both physical and mental conflicts, which shocked the public. The most controversial part was when Park Ji-yoon asked Choi Dong-seok, "Can I tell the children that 'your father tried to assault me'?" At that time, Choi Dong-seok responded, "Couples can say such things to each other," which shifted public opinion in favor of Park Ji-yoon.

Park Ji-yoon and Choi Dong-seok were colleagues who joined KBS as announcers in the 30th class and married in November 2009, having one son and one daughter. They announced their separation last October after 14 years of marriage.