Broadcaster Heo Gyeong-hwan (44) received a consultation for a leg lengthening surgery.
On the afternoon of the 10th, the SBS variety program 'My Little Old Boy' featured Heo Gyeong-hwan and comedian Kim Jun-ho visiting a hospital together for a consultation regarding height-increasing surgery.
Heo Gyeong-hwan said, "I think of this as my last chance in life," adding, "Not getting married might be due to my height. I want to grow to 177 cm." He was measured at 168.2 cm in an X-ray examination, although his profile states his height as 169 cm.
Kim Jun-ho also noted, "My wife, Jimin, is 158 cm tall, but her legs are longer than mine," and said, "I can't let my child live like that, so I will seek a consultation." Kim Jun-ho's height was recorded as 168.5 cm.
The doctor in charge of the consultation stated, "It is not a surgery that can be easily attempted," but explained the severe pain and risk of complications involved in the process of gradually lengthening the bones through cutting. While Kim Jun-ho hesitated, Heo Gyeong-hwan continued the consultation earnestly.
The doctor cautioned, "If the surgery fails, it could result in complications or disabilities. It could be a great success, but conversely, it could really ruin your life." The minimum cost of the surgery was 40 million won.
Leg lengthening surgery was originally used for medical purposes, such as correcting discrepancies in leg length or deformities. However, it has recently been performed for cosmetic reasons, leading to ongoing controversy.
The cost of the surgery can reach tens of millions of won, and living in a wheelchair and rehabilitation for several months is essential. The risk of side effects, such as nerve damage, joint mobility restrictions, and bone necrosis, is also significant.
Particularly, if side effects occur, it is impossible to restore the original condition. In China, after more than 100,000 cases of deformities from cosmetic leg lengthening surgeries were reported in 2005 alone, the country banned height-increasing surgeries altogether starting in 2006.