Rumored to be dead and missing, 'I Am Solo' Season 19 participant Young-cheol also delivered updates about 'forced hospitalization' regarding Season 19's Soon-ja.
On the 22nd, a video titled "I met the 'Na-sol' participant rumored to be dead... Visit to a 27-pyeong self-owned APT. in Cheonan | ep16. Lee Jae-goo" was uploaded on the YouTube channel 'Business Microphone'.
Lee Jae-goo, who appeared as Young-cheol in 'I Am Solo' Season 19, revealed, "I've been said to be missing and there's a lot of talk that I got lost." He stated that he currently resides in a 27-pyeong APT. in Cheonan.
Young-cheol noted, "It was an (intubation) surgery, and I don't remember it either. I think my condition was critical at that time. They thought I was in critical condition at the hospital, and I had a tough time. I probably lost weight, which might have surprised people compared to when I appeared on 'I Am Solo'. When I was hospitalized, I weighed about 105 kg, and I lost about 30 kg."
Young-cheol explained about his illness, stating, "It was a cerebral hemorrhage and cerebral infarction. I can't say in detail, but I never expected it would suddenly come to me. The illness came without any warning signs."
He added, "I was stuck with needles for a long time in the intensive care unit, and I had to sign a do-not-resuscitate order, but my family opposed it. I was discharged at the end of February, and around early March, I just couldn't take it any longer. It was too hard to get up from the sofa, so I was readmitted to the hospital at the end of March. I had to go back to work in April, and I was worried about that. I had to stay on my feet because I worked in manufacturing."
Additionally, he expressed surprise, saying, "There are so many fake news stories on YouTube. It was chaotic. There were reports that I got lost and was dead, leading the police chief to come. I've even heard news that I was dragged away by a wild animal."
Moreover, in the video, Young-cheol also shared updates about Soon-ja from Season 19.
He said, "Whenever the live broadcast starts, the question is always where Soon-ja from Season 19 is. She is currently in Gongju. I received a message once, and when I asked 'What's going on?' she replied, 'I'm doing well.' When people said, 'You went to a mental hospital', she said, 'No, I just went to Australia.'"
"At that time, I was using my mom's phone. I suppose it's not the case now. There are rumors that she is doing welfare work or something similar," he added.
Last September, rumors of Soon-ja from Season 19 being forcibly hospitalized stirred shock.
At that time, reports circulated rapidly through some online communities, claiming that an individual presumed to be Soon-ja from 'Na-sol' Season 19 was seen being dragged away at the airport. Accompanying photos showed a woman presumed to be Soon-ja from 'Na-sol' Season 19 crying in front of an ambulance, further shocking the public.
Especially, the mobile messenger conversation released alongside the eyewitness accounts contained phrases such as, "I think if I travel to Australia alone this year, I will meet my future husband," "I want to immigrate to Australia. If I meet my future husband this year, it's possible," and "Australia trip May 29 to June 3." The author suggested that "Soon-ja from 'Na-sol' might meet her future husband if she suddenly travels to Australia alone. The travel plan is from May 29 to June 3. There are no updates on the daily Kakao Talk and her Instagram has also stopped." The author raised suspicions, saying, "With a tourist visa, one can stay for three months, but beyond that, I don't know Soon-ja's whereabouts. Therefore, it seems she was forcibly deported, and when her parents contacted her, they seem to have waited for her with mental hospital staff at the airport to take her to the hospital right after she arrived."
In response, the production team of 'I Am Solo' cautiously explained to OSEN, "Since the participants are private citizens, we ask for your understanding that it is difficult to closely monitor each individual's privacy after the show."
Because of this, despite Young-cheol relaying Soon-ja's words with updates, internet users continue to express curiosity about the truth regarding the photos.
[Photo] Video capture, online community
[OSEN]