Broadcaster Choi Dong-seok revealed on November 8, 2026, that he learned of his divorce through news reports while away from home and now battles intense guilt and longing for his children while living in Jeju Island.
- Choi discovered his marriage had ended via media reports after returning home to find his family gone.
- He now manages his isolation in Jeju Island through daily pre-dawn runs of up to 12 kilometers.
- The former KBS announcer admitted he cannot bring himself to clean up the items his children left behind.
Choi has lived in Jeju Island for approximately four years, establishing a solitary routine to cope with a period of physical and emotional exhaustion. In a video released by TV CHOSUN JOY, he shared that he began exercising after spending long stretches lying down in fatigue.
To rebuild his stamina, he started waking up before dawn to run. On days without scheduled commitments, he covers five to six kilometers, sometimes extending his route up to 12 kilometers to start his morning. He told viewers that he enjoys watching the sunrise and occasionally documents his runs on social media, where followers offer encouragement.
Reflecting on the breakdown of his marriage, Choi described a sudden separation process. He stated that he did not make the decision himself, but rather found out about the divorce through news reports.
According to his account in the video, he returned home one day to find his family absent. He traveled to Seoul to search for his children, at which point he confirmed the news through media coverage. He remarked that the experience served as an objective mirror for him to reexamine his own life rather than simply pointing to relational friction.
Choi opened up about the lingering presence of his children in his home. Describing a recent visit where a month passed before he saw them again, he said he walked into a house filled with their half-eaten food, discarded clothes, and dropped towels.
He confessed that he could not bring himself to tidy up the space because it felt as though the children were still right beside him. “Men and women can separate even if they loved each other, but children should not become part of that relationship,” he said, expressing deep anxiety over the impact of the split on them.
| Aspect of Life | Previous Routine | Current Reality in Jeju |
|---|---|---|
| Living Arrangement | Family-centered household | Solitary residence (approx. 4 years) |
| Daily Physical Routine | Focused on professional duties | Dawn running (5 to 12 kilometers) |
| Primary Focus | Raising and living with children | Adapting life patterns and coping with longing |
As a member of the KBS 30th open recruitment class, Choi once sought to build a career with broad social influence. Following his transition to a freelance broadcaster and his move away from family-centered daily rhythms, his core values have undergone a transformation.
He admitted that his thoughts remain consumed by his children the moment he opens his eyes, noting that they even appear in his dreams. While making this adjustment, he continues to work as a freelance writer and broadcaster while maintaining his life on Jeju Island.
