Choi Hwa-jeong jokes about being a 'grandmother' after discovering she qualifies for free flu shots

Broadcaster Choi Hwa-jeong provided laughs with her cool wit, not hiding her age but instead referring to herself as a "grandmother." She also shared an unexpected story of frugality, revealing that after visiting a hospital for a flu vaccine, she learned she was eligible for a free vaccination if she waited two weeks, allowing her to save 40,000 to 50,000 won.

On the 22nd, a video titled "66-year-old Choi Hwa-jeong reveals her 40-year sauna routine for youth (secret to youthful looks) for the first time" was uploaded to the YouTube channel "Hello, I'm Choi Hwa-jeong." In the video, Choi Hwa-jeong visited a newly opened sauna in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, to enjoy some leisure time. After bathing, she moved to a restaurant to eat with the production crew, revealing her candid daily life while tasting dongdongju provided as a service by the owner.

While drinking dongdongju in a relaxed atmosphere, Choi Hwa-jeong shouted "Wihayeo!" (Cheers!) as a toast. When the PD playfully criticized her, saying, "Don't do that. You sound like an ajumma," Choi Hwa-jeong immediately countered, "Cheh. I'm not even an ajumma anymore, I'm a grandmother," bringing laughter to the scene.

By calling herself a "grandmother" before anyone else could point out her age, she preempted any comments. Rather than denying her age or reacting sensitively, her attitude of using it as a subject for jokes appeared as a characteristic charm. Her composure in laughing off the passage of time rather than forcibly hiding it drew attention.

Choi Hwa-jeong's honest wit led to her experience with flu vaccinations. She revealed that while visiting a hospital recently to get a vaccine, medical staff informed her, "If you come back in fifteen days, it's free." Upon learning that the period for becoming eligible for free vaccination was approaching, Choi Hwa-jeong chose to wait rather than rush the injection.

Recalling the situation, she said, "So I said, 'I'll come back in fifteen days.' How much is that? It's saving 40,000 to 50,000 won." She explained that while she could have paid for the vaccination, she waited for the free period to save money. Rather than feeling embarrassed about being eligible for free vaccination due to her age, her realistic reaction of calculating the amount saved elicited laughter.

Her ability to accept aging with humor while not missing out on practical benefits shows her unpretentious side. Her joke, moving beyond "ajumma" to self-identify as a "grandmother," lightly twisted stereotypes surrounding age. Beyond her youthful appearance, her honest and pleasant attitude toward aging remains one of Choi Hwa-jeong's charms.

Read the original (Korean)