Choo Sung Hoon

Choo Sung Hoon (추성훈), also known internationally as Yoshihiro Akiyama, built a rare second act in Korean entertainment after first becoming famous as an elite judoka and mixed martial artist. Born in Osaka to a Zainichi Korean family, he won judo gold at the 2001 Asian Championships and later crossed into MMA, where the Sexyama persona turned him into a crossover draw far beyond combat sports.

That athletic credibility translated unusually well to television. Choo became a mainstream family-variety figure through The Return of Superman, then re-entered global pop culture conversation through Netflix's Physical: 100 and his own fast-growing YouTube content. By 2026, ENA tapped him as one of the masters on The Scout: Stars Reborn, using his competitive edge and screen presence to broaden the show beyond a standard idol-mentor panel.

What makes Choo useful on screen is that he does not read like borrowed celebrity. He brings veteran-athlete discipline, proven variety instincts, and a public image that moves easily between Korea and Japan. That mix gives him real weight on formats that need charisma, resilience, and a story viewers already understand.