Observing Choi Guk-hwa's activities as anchor, model, radio DJ, lecturer, and others, people cast away their prejudice that disabilities imply inadequacy. Regardless of roles, she exudes a gentle smile and provides reassurance with a calm demeanor, showing her professionalism.

Unexpected Visitor to the Energetic Woman

Choi Guk-hwa, who loved traveling and dreamed of becoming a global traveler or flight attendant, double-majored in early childhood education and hotel management in university and graduated with both degrees. Feeling unsatisfied with her job, she chose to study in China at the age of 25. While studying Chinese at university, she utilized her major and worked as a lower-grade teacher in a Korean school.

On December 27, 2006 during her studies in China, she left home a little later than usual. In a hurry, she rushed down the stairs, skipping steps, and ended up falling. She tried to get up, clutching her painful back. But, her legs did not move.
In 2007, tragically, due to spinal cord injury in her lower back, she was diagnosed with lower body paralysis.
In 2009, the physician at National Rehabilitation Center, where she was last hospitalized, proposed that she join the disability-related education programs initiated by the center.
Thus, before discharge, she participated in disability awareness training and accident prevention education.

Resetting Life

Even after becoming a person with a disability, she didn't know much about disabilities, so she started studying. She always attended lectures related to disabilities and bought related books to read. After a decade, she returned to undergraduate and graduate school to continue her studies. In 2021, she enrolled in graduate school at Daegu University and went to Daegu every Saturday in order to attend classes for disability studies.
Her career expanded into various fields. In 2012, she worked as the MC for a travel program of Welfare Broadcasting Corporation. In collaboration with the Korea Tourism Organization, the program introduced barrier-free travel destinations. When filming the travel program, she traveled all over the country in a wheelchair.

As a KBS Anchor, Expanding Horizons

In March 2021, various media outlets announced the selection of Choi Guk-hwa as the 6 th disabled anchor for KBS, revealing that she would take charge of the 'Life News' segment on . In interviews, she expressed her ambition to broaden the broadcasting scope of disabled anchors.

Choi Guk-hwa became the first disabled anchor in Korea to cover the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games news in 2020. From the opening (on August 24, 2021, one year after the COVID-19 pandemic) to the closing of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games, she received as much attention as participating athletes. Reporting Paralympic news on KBS's main news program, 'News 9,' she garnered significant interest in disabled anchors from the public.

Plans for New Challenges

In March 2023, Choi Guk-hwa concluded her two-year term as an anchor. Instead of feeling regretful, she focused on her future plans. Currently, she introduces barrier-free tourist attractions on the fixed segment 'Choi Guk-hwa's Wheelchair Nationwide Tour' on KBS 1 Radio's . Additionally, on KBS 3 Radio's on Saturdays, she directly handles scripting, music selection, and hosting for the 'Disabled Youth DJ Show.'

Currently, together with her younger sister, she is working hard to prepare for the YouTube channel called 'Oh My Guk-hwa'. Her goal is to raise awareness of persons with disabilities and create a world where disabilities are considered to be no big deal.
Based on her experience as an anchor and her background in early childhood education, Choi Guk-hwa dreams of hosting television programs involving children.