'Serving a prison sentence' Shin Jung-hwan, choked up over gambling controversy: "I avoided crowded places... my parents suffered" [Star Issue]

*This content was translated by AI.

Shin Jung-hwan, a broadcaster formerly from the group Country Kkokko, choked up while addressing the fallout from a past gambling controversy.

On the 29th, Shin Jung-hwan appeared on the YouTube channel 'Human Story'.

Shin Jung-hwan explained his reason for appearing on 'Human Story'. He said, "When I first received the call to appear, I couldn't immediately say 'I'll do it' because I had just opened a restaurant. I wanted to operate the restaurant quietly to avoid it looking like restaurant promotion. But then I thought it would be okay to show that I'm living hard. I also wanted to greet everyone."

When asked by the production team whether his broadcasting career had not exceeded 30 years, he replied, "There were many gaps in between. For about 10 years, I was almost completely out of sight. It's been exactly 16 years. I also worked in ice houses abroad, and updates on my life gradually came out."

Shin Jung-hwan also revealed that he is currently active as an influencer. He said, "I go to most places that invite me."

He also mentioned how things have changed since the past controversy. Shin Jung-hwan said, "I was doing well until my mid-to-late 30s, but after experiencing the bitterness of life, people around me said I had 'matured.' They said, 'I didn't think you'd grow up, but as you've gotten older, you've changed a bit.'"

He continued, "I brought this upon myself and created my own youth in that way. I avoided crowded places. So for my acquaintances and family, this has become part of their daily lives. In the past, my family and acquaintances suffered more." As he said this, he choked up. After barely composing himself, he said, "My parents suffered a lot."

Shin Jung-hwan visited the restaurant he currently operates. The restaurant was filled with customers.

Reflecting on the past controversy and his period of self-reflection, he said, "Because I had long breaks, I think I'm living more actively and hard now." He added, "I unconditionally learned humility. When I was young, I had the arrogance of thinking I was the center of this world. But now I need to erase those old thoughts."

Shin Jung-hwan also expressed gratitude to fans who send him support. He said, "I'm so grateful that you've been watching over me. I occasionally read your supportive messages. Until a few years ago, there were many difficult-to-read messages, but these days I see comments like 'It's good to see you often' and 'I'm happy to see you.' Those words give me a lot of strength."

He continued, "I am the icon of a comeback. I think many of you have experienced roller coaster rides. Those people say, 'Shin Jung-hwan is living hard, so I should also cheer up and live hard.' I want to be that icon for such people."

Meanwhile, Shin Jung-hwan was arrested and indicted in 2010 on charges of overseas gambling. At the time, he tried to hide the allegations by making a false excuse that he had contracted dengue fever, which led to public rejection. He was granted parole in December 2011, six months after being incarcerated.

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*This content was translated by AI.