Choo Shin-soo Shares Personal Stories on KBS2's 'Car Wash JANG'

On December 16, 2024, KBS2 aired its new variety show 'Car Wash JANG', featuring hosts Jang Min-ho and Jang Sung-kyu as they washed the car of former baseball star Choo Shin-soo. The episode took place at a car wash in Paju, Gyeonggi Province, where the reservation list humorously included names like 'Gangster Girlfriend', 'Pepper', and 'K-Benjamin', with 'Pepper' being Choo himself. Upon seeing Choo's luxury foreign car, Jang Sung-kyu expressed hesitation, questioning if they were allowed to wash such an expensive vehicle, which turned out to be a 2014 model that looked remarkably new. Choo explained that he had taken great care of it since bringing it from the U.S. in 2020.

While exploring the car, Jang Min-ho stumbled upon Choo's wallet, which led to a surprising revelation. Upon opening it, he exclaimed, 'I've never seen someone with this much cash! Is this even real?' as he revealed a bundle of 6 million won. Jang Sung-kyu was equally astonished, commenting on the sheer amount of 50,000 won bills.

The conversation then shifted to Choo's personal routines. When asked if he had any unique habits, Choo shared that he always puts on clothes and shoes starting with his left side, attributing it to being left-handed. This prompted Jang Sung-kyu to jokingly ask if he was 'leftist', to which Choo calmly clarified his left-handedness.

As they continued, they discovered an icebox in the trunk, which contained ingredients for seaweed soup that Choo had prepared for the hosts. While they cleaned, Choo began cooking, revealing that he only makes this dish once a year on his wife's birthday. He expressed his love for his wife, noting that while he prefers beef seaweed soup, she enjoys the seafood version.

Choo also shared insights about his family. Married to his high school sweetheart, Ha Won-mi, since 2004, they have three children: two sons and a daughter. He mentioned that while his wife loves seafood, their children are all meat lovers. When asked if they had planned for three children, Choo admitted he simply wanted a daughter, showcasing his 'daughter's dad' side. He humorously noted that he has 'closed the factory' after having three kids, referencing a conversation about vasectomies.

Reflecting on his career, Choo revealed that he had always dreamed of playing in the Korean professional league, inspired by fellow player Park Chan-ho. He shared his journey through the various levels of baseball in the U.S., realizing how much he had to learn after believing he was the best in Korea. Choo candidly admitted that he has never considered himself a great player, despite his successful career in Major League Baseball.

When asked about being the best among Korean players, Choo acknowledged the talents of Lee Seung-yuop and others, suggesting they would have excelled under the same opportunities. The playful banter continued as Jang Min-ho encouraged Choo to declare himself the best, leading to a humorous moment when Choo hesitated but inadvertently gave a thumbs-up, prompting laughter from the hosts.