The Reality Of Dating In Korea As A Female Bodyguard

K-Pop fans love them, but is it the same in real life?
Stories
Serah S. Cherrie
Serah S. Cherrie

In recent years, Hallyu fans have grown a unique eye for spotting attractive people around their favorite celebrities. It includes managers, stylists, and staff members, but the most frequent type of people around stars that tend to go viral among fans are bodyguards.

During BTS Suga‘s recent solo tour, one of his security personnel went viral for his attractive appearance.

Multiple of TWICE‘s bodyguards have gone viral among fans, either for their idol-like visuals or heart-fluttering suaveness.

Girls’ Generation member Taeyeon‘s bodyguard also stole the hearts of her fans a few years ago.

And the list goes on.

But in real life, does this appeal work in their favor when it comes to dating people? Especially if they are women? According to Choi Seung Hui, a veteran bodyguard in Seoul, the reality differs from what meets the eye.

Choi Seung Hui has been a bodyguard since 1998. While talking to Asian Boss about her profession, she revealed that the eligibility requirements are not easy to meet in this line of work. Individuals need to be highly competent in at least one form of martial arts, like Taekwondo or Judo, with a qualification equivalent to Second Dan. They must also receive 24-hour training for 8 hours each over three days.

Choi herself is highly qualified, having achieved a Fourth Dan in Taekwondo, and holds a judge’s license, as well as an instructor’s license. With her abilities and experience, she has protected VVIP clients for years, either chairpersons of big conglomerates, famous artists, or highly revered athletes like Kim Yuna.

While on the one hand, Choi has had an astonishing run in her professional life, her personal life, she confessed, didn’t have many romantic prospects. When the host asked how men react to her being a bodyguard, Choi shared that usually, men are friendly and pleasant to her, but as soon as they realize her profession, they get cold and distant. “Because they think I’m scary,” she explained.

But Choi is pretty unphased by this reaction from men. In fact, to her, dating seems to be “a waste of time.” The first-generation female bodyguard revealed that since she has no mental obligation toward marriage, finding a guy for herself is never a priority to her.

And I don’t think it’s necessary to get married either. So I don’t feel the need to take out time to meet a boyfriend. I only concentrate on work.

—Choi Seung Hui

Lastly, Choi wrapped up her response, saying that her sense of fulfillment comes from doing her work well, where she is able to protect people. When she escorts a client safely, especially in a one-on-one arrangement, that satisfaction is her biggest motivator.

You can watch the full interview here:

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