‘Hot bodyguard’ speaks about Moon
Choi Young-jae seemed bewildered by his abrupt rise to rock-star status and the international media frenzy over him.
The commando-turned-businessman who followed behind President Moon Jae-in like a shadow as a bodyguard during his presidential campaign has become a global sensation, after snapshots of him standing next to Moon and gazing out have gone viral. His “stunning handsomeness,” with his chiseled jaw-line, steely eyes and coiffed hair, has sent numerous women swooning. A slew of news outlets have lauded the dashing bodyguard, often comparing him with Kevin Costner in the 1992 Hollywood hit film “The Bodyguard.”
“I feel good. But also I’m concerned about the spotlight and the attention focused on me,” Choi told The Korea Times. “Attention should be paid to the President, not me. I don’t want to steal the limelight.”
Choi, 36, is not a professional bodyguard. He studied security service at Yong In University and served in South Korea’s Special Warfare Command as an officer for 10 years. During that time, the master of multiple martial arts was dispatched to Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates as a member of United Nations peacekeeping forces where he taught and implemented counter-terrorism campaigns, VIP protection and other confidential missions.
With expertise and skills, he “voluntarily” formed a 10-member security team, all trained at the Special Warfare Command, for Moon in February shortly after he secured intelligence of a terrorist plot against the then presidential hopeful, and protected him until the role was handed to the presidential security team last week.
The father of two daughters suspended his business for the task, during which his wife, a private English tutor, was the sole breadwinner.
His team offered the security service to Moon for nothing.
“As a long-time supporter of Moon, I just wanted to help him,” he said. “I just wanted to play a small role in helping Moon accomplish his long-cherished dream of rebuilding the country.”
Choi is now “off duty” and enjoying a short break. “I couldn’t play with my children for a long time. I would like to spend time with my family before returning to my work,” Choi said. He didn’t mention his job.