Singer Choi Baek-ho reveals he quit drinking after ambulance incident

During a KBS Cool FM radio broadcast on the 21st, 76-year-old singer Choi Baek-ho revealed he has remained sober since the same day he was once transported by ambulance due to overconsumption.

Singer Choi Baek-ho has revealed a harrowing past that led him to quit drinking entirely. For the 76-year-old, the decision to abstain from even a single drop of alcohol was not merely about health management; it was triggered by a moment of self-reflection after being carried away in an ambulance following excessive drinking.

Appearing on the "Legendary Master" segment of KBS Cool FM's "Park Myung-soo's Radio Show" on the 21st, Choi disclosed his life of sobriety. When the topic of alcohol arose, he maintained a firm stance, stating, "I don't drink at all. I don't drink a single drop." Even when Park Myeong-su mentioned how difficult it can be to resist the craving for beer, Choi remained unmoved, explaining that he quit drinking because he did not want to do things he would regret as he gets older.

The decisive turning point for his sobriety was the incident where he was transported by ambulance due to overconsumption. Recalling that time, Choi reflected that he thought to himself, "What am I doing at this age?" Upon realizing his body could no longer handle the alcohol, he decided he could not repeat the same mistake. "I felt this wouldn't work, so I quit," he stated.

Notably, Choi decided to quit drinking on the very same day he was taken by ambulance. Rather than letting it end as a momentary regret, he turned it into action and has kept his promise of sobriety ever since. While changing long-standing habits is difficult, the experience served as a catalyst for him to redirect his life. The veteran singer's candid confession regarding his health and life choices follows a career of performing on grand stages.

During the broadcast, Choi also expressed unexpected respect for comedian Ji Sang-ryeol. When asked by Park Myeong-su who his favorite comedian is, he chose Ji Sang-ryeol and shared an anecdote from when they were both hosting radio programs on the same channel. At the time, Ji Sang-ryeol was reportedly offered a move to a different time slot, but he declined and left the program because he feared that if he moved, the person working in that slot would lose their job.

Choi highly praised Ji Sang-ryeol's decision, noting, "Most people would move if asked, but that is not an easy thing to do." He added, "I haven't known Ji Sang-ryeol since then, but I came to respect him." He explained that he was moved by the choice to consider another person's situation and the sense of responsibility involved, rather than by any direct personal relationship.

In response, Park Myeong-su, noting that he is friends with Ji Sang-ryeol, joked, "That Ji Sang-ryeol you respect drinks alcohol." While teasing the sober Choi by mentioning Ji Sang-ryeol's drinking habits, Choi provided a witty retort: "I don't respect Ji Sang-ryeol's drinking." He also asked Park Myeong-su to pass along his regards to Ji Sang-ryeol.

Born in 1950, 76-year-old Choi Baek-ho debuted in 1977 with "My Heart Has Nowhere to Go" and has since left behind numerous masterpieces, including "Friend of Yeongil Bay," "When I Go to Busan," "About Romance," and "On the Road." Long loved for his powerful voice and deep emotions that capture life's ups and downs, he used this broadcast to speak honestly about his life-changing experiences and his attitude toward people.

Read the original (Korean)