Celebrity

5 stars who overcame cancer and returned to the entertainment industry

These 5 Korean stars bravely fight cancer and win

1. Park So-dam

Actor Park So-dam surprised fans by announcing a sudden cancer diagnosis in December 2021. Park So-dam was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer during a regular health checkup and underwent emergency surgery. At the time, it was known that she was in such a dangerous situation that she almost lost her voice. After the surgery, she regained her health through thorough health management, such as doing Pilates 5 or 6 times a week.

 Park So-dam

2. Kim Woo-bin

Actor Kim Woo-bin shocked the entertainment industry by announcing his hiatus in 2017 due to a diagnosis of nasopharyngeal cancer. Nasopharyngeal cancer refers to a disease where malignant tumors grow in the back part of the nasopharynx (the digestive organ between the mouth and esophagus).

 Kim Woo-bin

After undergoing three rounds of chemotherapy and 35 sessions of radiation therapy, he resumed his activities in 2019, approximately 2 years and 6 months later. Kim Woo-bin recently appeared on the TVN variety show ‘You Quiz on the Block,’ recalling his time during his illness. He said, “Because it was related to my life, I was very scared and fearful. When I was sick, I received so many prayers. Thanks to that, I believe I recovered faster. So, with the hope that the support and prayers I received will be passed on to others, for the past four years, I’ve been closing my eyes and praying every night before going to sleep.”

3. Uhm Jung-hwa

Singer and actress Uhm Jung-hwa announced her diagnosis of thyroid cancer in 2010. After the surgery, she spent a difficult time for 8 months due to vocal cord paralysis. She recalled that time, saying, “There was a moment when even breathing sounds were enviable.” With vocal cord injections and practice, she successfully rehabilitated her voice. After more than 10 years, she made a glamorous comeback in the music industry by releasing her 10th album. Recently, she has been active in various entertainment programs.

 Eom Jeong-hwa

4. Jeong Mi-ae

Trot singer Jeong Mi-ae gained significant popularity by finishing as the runner-up on TV Chosun’s ‘Tomorrow’s MISTROT’ and suddenly halted her activities in 2021. Later in January, she revealed her current situation of battling stage 3 stomach cancer, causing sadness among those around her. After undergoing surgery to remove one-third of her tongue, she said, “I asked the doctor if I would be able to sing after the surgery, but the doctor didn’t answer.” She expressed her determination to overcome the situation, saying, “Nevertheless, I am gradually overcoming it. I feel courageous and believe I can do it.” In February, she made a comeback in the music industry by releasing a new song titled ‘Hold on to Worry,’ also known as ‘걱정 붙들어 매.’

Jeong Mi-ae

6. Hong Jin-kyung

Former model and TV personality Hong Jin-kyung battled ovarian cancer in 2014 and went through a period of treatment. Despite the shock of the cancer diagnosis while raising her young daughter at the time, she received anti-cancer treatment and continued her broadcasting activities. In 2016, after two years, she announced her recovery.

Hong Jin-kyung

Last year, she appeared on MBC’s ‘Point of Omniscient Interference’ and recalled her time during cancer treatment. She said, “As a profession that brings laughter to viewers, I didn’t want to show any concerns. That’s why I wore a wig and continued my activities.” She mentioned enduring the cancer treatment while watching variety shows, saying, “After laughing out loud for a few episodes, three hours of cancer treatment would be over. That’s why I’m proud of giving laughter.”

Source: wikitree

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