Broadcaster Cheol-gu plans to return to streaming after gambling controversy

Internet broadcaster Cheol-gu expressed his intention to return to streaming on the 16th, promising to move away from provocative content following admissions of overseas gambling in the Philippines and the use of illegal private loans. While he pledged to repay creditors, significant discrepancies remain regarding the exact amount of his debt.

Internet broadcaster Cheol-gu, who admitted to participating in overseas gambling in the Philippines and using illegal private loans, has expressed his intention to return to broadcasting as investigations approach completion. While apologizing to his creditors and promising not to evade responsibility, he also stated his intent to move away from provocative content and present new types of broadcasts. However, as interest remains high regarding his financial issues and the results of the investigation, some observers suggest that whether his declaration of return can restore trust will depend on his future actions.

In a video released on the YouTube channel 'Gray News' on the 16th, Cheol-gu appeared personally to state his position regarding the controversies. He bowed his head, saying, "I am sorry for causing harm to those around me, and I am sorry and apologetic to the creditors who lent me money." He expressed his apologies to those around him for the burden caused by the controversies surrounding him and to those who provided him with loans.

Regarding the scale of his debt, he explained that there is a significant discrepancy between his claims and those of the creditors. While noting that "the amounts being claimed by each side are very different," he emphasized, "I do not intend to avoid the parts I must take responsibility for." Although disagreements over the exact amount of debt remain, his position is that he will not ignore the portions he is responsible for.

He also clarified the relationship between the gambling funds and the use of illegal private loans. Cheol-gu claimed, "I can say for certain that I never borrowed money to gamble. I have submitted evidence to the investigative authorities as well." Regarding the reason for using illegal private loans, he expressed regret, saying, "It was difficult to obtain money through normal methods. Because it was a large sum of money, I contacted them in a state of urgency, and it turned out that way," adding, "Thinking back now, I should never have done that." However, this is Cheol-gu's own explanation, and the related suspicions and the scope of his responsibility are matters that must be determined through investigation and verification procedures.

Following his apology and explanation regarding the controversy, he revealed his plans to return to broadcasting. "I will return soon and intend to work hard with the thought of truly returning to my original intentions," Cheol-gu stated. "In the end, the only thing I can do is broadcasting, so it is not something that can be solved by avoiding it, and I intend to work hard." His intention is to restart with what he can do rather than avoiding the situation by suspending activities.

He also predicted that the direction of his future content would change. "I will not just do provocative things like before, but if you give me another chance, I want to show you that I am working hard as a broadcaster with good content that people can enjoy," he said. His plan is to regain trust by moving away from his previous broadcasting style, which relied on provocation, toward content that viewers can enjoy.

At the end of the video, he repeated his apology to the creditors. "No matter what I say here, the creditors are angry and have to wait," Cheol-gu said, promising, "I will take responsibility until the end so that I can pay it back quickly." While he expressed his will to generate revenue through his return to pay off his debts, his remarks will inevitably be judged by his future actions, as actual repayment and a concrete repayment plan must follow.

In a live broadcast this past July, Cheol-gu stated his intention to turn himself in to the police, saying, "Since the year before last, I have been gambling overseas in the Philippines and have even used illegal private loans." This is not the first time his gambling controversy has surfaced. He previously confessed to losing 100 million won to gambling in 2017, and in 2019, controversy arose when footage of him gambling at a casino in Manila, Philippines, while serving in the military was revealed on online communities.

A former professional gamer, Cheol-gu built his recognition through activities as an internet broadcaster after retiring in 2008. He married internet broadcaster Oe Ji-hye in 2016 and had a daughter, but they divorced in 2021. It remains uncertain whether he, who has been active in the internet broadcasting industry for a long time, can stand before viewers again after overcoming this controversy. More important than the declaration of return is whether he can fulfill his actual responsibility regarding the debt, provide a clear explanation of the investigation results, and restore trust through changed broadcasting.

Read the original (Korean)