Ailee’s husband, actor-turned-entrepreneur Choi Si Hoon, has finally opened up about the devastating rumors that he was once a host bar worker. The false accusations caused him immense distress and nearly led him to quit acting altogether.
On March 27, Choi Si Hoon shared his side of the story in a video titled "Ailee & Choi Si Hoon’s Proposal Video Revealed! | A Brief Q&A About Me," uploaded to his YouTube channel "Naejo King Choi Si Hoon."
Reflecting on the controversy, he said, "I’ve been acting for a long time, but it was really difficult. Even when I did web dramas, my mom found them cringeworthy and didn’t want to watch. The first time she actually saw me on screen was in Single’s Inferno. We were enjoying it together, but then posts started appearing in online communities. The reactions were serious, and so many people seemed to enjoy spreading rumors."
Rumors had previously spread online that Choi Si Hoon had worked as a host bar entertainer. He firmly denied the claims, stating, "I am not a host bar worker (also known as ‘ori’). I can stake my life on proving this rumor false."
Choi Si Hoon went on to explain just how much the accusations affected him. "I was just an unknown actor and an ordinary person, so experiencing something like this for the first time was incredibly unfair. I had already quit my part-time jobs to fully commit to acting. Since I started late, I felt like I had to give everything to catch up with others. I was dedicating myself to acting classes, study groups, workouts, and voice training, carefully building my skills. But when those rumors spread, everything collapsed, and it felt so unjust."
The backlash became overwhelming, and he eventually felt the need to address it publicly. "The Single’s Inferno PD even advised me not to post about it, knowing how people react. But I just couldn't let it go. I felt I had to say something, so I posted my statement before going to bed. The next day, 40 to 50 articles came out about it. I was so angry that I even considered quitting acting, even though I loved it. It was a frustrating and infuriating experience, but in the end, it became a turning point in my life. Sometimes, you need the courage to let go. I had spent eight years solely focused on acting and had no other skills."
Despite the struggles, Choi Si Hoon has since found happiness. He and Ailee registered their marriage in August last year and have been living together in their newlywed home in Hannam-dong, Seoul. The couple will officially hold their wedding ceremony this April.
What do you think about Choi Si Hoon’s response to the rumors?
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