A Korean medicine doctor
who quietly walks her own path.
Living each day with gratitude
she continues forward on her journey.
A practitioner of Korean medicine,
a broadcaster, a writer, a lecturer, and also an actress.
Q. As the first Korean medicine doctor
to place in the Top 4 at Muscle Mania,
what inspired you to take on this challenge?
In the early days of opening my clinic,
I went through a series of difficult experiences
that took a toll on both my body and mind.
I also gained weight rapidly due to frequent drinking.
Most of all, I began to suffer from severe
lower back pain, to the point where it felt like
my entire daily life might come to a halt.
That was when I realized I needed to prioritize
my health first, so I started exercising.
As I did, I gradually regained
my energy and vitality in life.
Eventually, my personal trainer suggested
that I participate in the Muscle Mania competition.
I saw it as an opportunity to refresh
my life during a difficult period,
and I decided to take on the challenge.
In the end, I achieved the milestone
of becoming the first Korean medicine doctor
to place in the competition Top 4.
Q. What breakfast recipe
would you most recommend from
your healthy meal posts on Instagram?
Since I usually do early morning workouts,
I tend to eat fairly substantial breakfasts.
If you have enough time in the morning,
I highly recommend a Korean-style
meal combined with chicken breast or eggs.
If you're busy, I would suggest something
simple like tomato juice and two boiled eggs.
The reason I recommend Korean meals
is because they are truly well-balanced.
They allow you to consume
a wide variety of vegetables,
and if you choose options
like brown rice or konjac rice,
you can also maintain satiety
while keeping calories lower.
However, since protein intake
can sometimes be insufficient,
I recommend supplementing your diet
separately with a dedicated protein source.
Q. Following appearances
in various broadcasts and YouTube,
you are now preparing to step into the field
of ‘show hosting.’ Is there a reason
you continuously challenge yourself in new areas?
Because of those experiences,
I was able to sign a contract with the brand
“Harim,” and also collaborate with home shopping
for “Baekok Glutathione Film.”
Ultimately, those slightly different choices
opened up entirely new fields for me today.
I believe that every new challenge expands
the possibilities of my work and creates
unexpected opportunities
that I would not have reached otherwise.
Q. As a writer, you published a book on
“constitution-based customized dieting.”
It must feel like a completely different
kind of energy from your
main profession as a doctor.
What positive changes or experiences
did you gain from publishing the book?
Writing, to me, felt like creating
something out of absolute nothing.
Through that process,
I developed a deeper respect for all writers.
The biggest change that came from publishing
the book was that I began receiving invitations
to give health lectures at places
such as libraries and community centers.
Speaking in front of an audience in those
settings brings a different kind of tension
compared to being in front of a camera.
It also made me want to create lectures
that are even more engaging,
enjoyable, and useful for people.
Q. What kind of tea do you usually enjoy,
and is there any connection
with your constitution?
I try to drink buckwheat tea regularly.
Constitutionally,
I fall under the “Taeyangin” type,
and buckwheat suits me well.
Buckwheat contains a component called chiro-inositol,
which acts similarly to insulin in helping regulate
blood sugar levels, so I drink it often
as it may help in preventing diabetes.
Q. What advice would you like to give
to those who are trying to start a diet?
Never attempt a diet that harms your health.
Sudden fasting or blindly following
random online methods should be avoided.
Such approaches can actually damage the body
and make it more prone to weight gain in the long run.
Instead, dieting should focus on identifying
and addressing the root causes that keep
the body in a constant state of stress or imbalance.
That is why I believe diet methods must differ
from person to person, depending
on individual constitution and condition.
Q. What advice would you like to give
to those who are trying to start a diet?
Never attempt a diet that harms your health.
Sudden fasting or blindly following random
online methods should be avoided.
Such approaches can actually damage
the body and make it more prone
to weight gain in the long run.
Instead, dieting should focus on identifying
and addressing the root causes that keep the body
in a constant state of stress or imbalance.
That is why I believe diet methods must differ
from person to person, depending
on individual constitution and condition.
Q. On Instagram, you wrote:
“People who quietly walk their own path.
Gratefully each day,
I walk my own way.”
What kind of personal philosophy
or belief do you live by?
I am a Korean medicine doctor,
a broadcaster, a writer,
a lecturer, and also an actress.
At first glance, these roles may seem unrelated.
However, they are all choices I have made
in order to protect my life
and the people I care about,
while continuing to expand my world.
Rather than living as someone defined
by a single profession, I am on a journey
to discover a life that belongs
to “Choi In-seo” herself.
