Fighter Choo Sung-hoon struggles with local food during Taiwan trip

Mixed martial arts fighter Choo Sung-hoon faced stomach pain and food challenges during the final night of a trip to Taiwan with Kim Jong-kook and ZICO. The footage, aired on the 27th, shows the fighter bowing to his colleagues after struggling with fermented duck eggs and stinky tofu.

Mixed martial arts fighter Choo Sung-hoon, who announced a hiatus from broadcasting and social media activities, faced an unexpected humiliation during a trip to Taiwan. Contrary to his image as a tough fighter, he provided laughs by bowing his head and pleading with his colleagues when faced with sudden stomach pain. However, as the specific filming period for this broadcast has not been disclosed, it is difficult to conclude whether this represents his current status following his recent announcement to suspend activities.

In the fourth episode of the SBS Plus and MBN variety program "Real Man's Trip in Taiwan," which aired on the 27th, the final night of the trip for Choo Sung-hoon, Kim Jong-kook, and ZICO was revealed. The three enjoyed the leisure of the trip by taking a ferry from Kaohsiung to Cijin Island. The combination of the three, which is rarely seen on television, provided unique entertainment through playful and bickering conversations.

Upon arriving at Cijin Island, the trio rode scooters along the coastal road. At the seaside, they filmed an impromptu music video, where Choo Sung-hoon acted as a model to lift the mood. During a grass slide competition held in downtown Kaohsiung, ZICO finished last and received a penalty of eating stinky tofu. ZICO drew laughter by expressing his grievance, saying, "So this is what power feels like."

At dinner, they expressed regret over the end of the trip. Choo Sung-hoon promised a future meeting with Kim Jong-kook and ZICO, noting, "It's such a shame because our chemistry has improved, but we have to wrap it up." They also discussed music, with Kim Jong-kook, who is preparing a 30th-anniversary album, asking ZICO, "Write a song for me, hyung." As the trip neared its end, the three headed to a night market to taste local food.

The trouble began while eating stinky tofu and fermented duck eggs. Surprised by the intense flavor of the duck eggs, Choo Sung-hoon sought water and tried to move away from the table, while ZICO also teared up. The sight of the three struggling with the unfamiliar food provided extra humor, contrasting with Choo Sung-hoon's usual image of strong competitiveness and charisma.

The real crisis occurred on the way back to their accommodation. Choo Sung-hoon complained of sudden stomach pain and headed straight for the bathroom upon arriving at the hotel, but Kim Jong-kook and ZICO blocked his path to continue their joking. In the urgent situation, Choo Sung-hoon eventually bowed his head and shouted, "I'll always apologize." Even the tough fighter had no choice but to wave the white flag to his colleagues in the face of physiological urgency.

After narrowly making it to the bathroom, Choo Sung-hoon confessed, "I almost died." He then added, "I'm working this hard," before turning to his daughter, Sarang, to say, "Sarang, save your allowance," which drew more laughter. Despite the extreme stomach pain, the final night of the trip ended on a pleasant note as he did not forget to give advice to his daughter.

Choo Sung-hoon previously announced that he would temporarily suspend broadcasting and YouTube activities to prepare for his retirement match in combat sports this past August. He has signaled that "BLACK COMBAT 17," to be held at the Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on November 21, will be his retirement stage. As he expressed his intention to focus on combat sports ahead of the end of his career, attention is focused on his future moves.

On the 11th, he also announced, "I will suspend all social media activities for the time being," following the news of the death of a close acquaintance. With the release of Choo Sung-hoon's appearance on the program following this news, interest in his current status has grown. However, since the filming period for this travel program has not been disclosed, it remains unconfirmed whether these scenes were filmed after his announcement to suspend activities. This broadcast, which showed the unexpected clumsy side of the tough fighter, has reignited interest in his next steps alongside his final challenge in combat sports.

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