BJ Cheolgu's Confession of Overseas Gambling and the Severity of Addiction

Internet broadcaster BJ Cheolgu (real name Lee Ye-jun, 36) recently revealed his involvement in overseas gambling in the Philippines and announced his decision to surrender to the police. In a personal live broadcast on SOOP early on the 28th, he confessed to gambling in the Philippines for the past two years and using illegal private loans during that time. Cheolgu admitted, "I spent over 1 billion won a week on gambling," and confessed that he borrowed high-interest illegal loans from 'big shots' because he couldn't afford the money.

The Dangers of Gambling and the Reality of Addiction

His confession serves as a stark reminder of the severity of gambling addiction, extending beyond a personal issue. Gambling may start as a form of entertainment, but it can quickly lead to addiction. The thrill and anticipation of rewards in gambling provide intense pleasure, making it easy for many to get hooked. However, repeated experiences can alter the brain's reward system, making it difficult to control one's behavior.

Recognizing the Signs of Gambling Addiction

So, how can you tell if you might be struggling with gambling addiction? Check for the following signs:

• Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to achieve the same level of excitement.
• Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down or stop gambling.
• Repeated unsuccessful attempts to control or stop gambling.
• Spending a lot of time thinking about gambling.

Furthermore, gambling again to recoup losses or lying to hide gambling activities from loved ones are also warning signs. If these behaviors lead to conflicts with others or problems in daily life, seeking professional help immediately is crucial.

Overcoming Addiction with Professional Help

Addiction cannot be dismissed as a mere matter of willpower. It is deeply related to changes in the brain's reward circuits, making it important to seek professional help rather than trying to overcome it alone. You can consult a psychiatrist or request counseling from the Korea Responsible Gambling Center.

Currently, the scale of illegal gambling in South Korea is estimated to exceed 100 trillion won annually, and this trend is growing. Illegal gambling is spreading even faster with the emergence of real-time broadcasts from Southeast Asia and other regions via overseas servers. Along with this phenomenon, the number of gambling addiction patients is also increasing, with the number of patients receiving treatment growing each year.

BJ Cheolgu's case once again highlights the dangers of addiction and emphasizes the necessity of professional help to overcome it. While gambling can start as a pastime, it's crucial to remember that addiction can lead to the collapse of many aspects of one's life.