Actor Lee Jeong-seop confessed to deep inner wounds along with his changed condition after stomach cancer surgery.
In a pre-release clip of MBN's "Exclusive World" released on the 29th, Lee Jeong-seop appeared with a noticeably gaunter face, evoking viewers' sympathy. He said, "During my acting career I often played effeminate men or homosexual roles," and "in the drama Love in Your Arms, in which Cha In-pyo and Shin Ae-ra's characters met, I appeared as the owner of a women's clothing boutique, and on set people often thought I was an actual woman and repeatedly urged me to 'meet someone,'" he recalled.
He added, "If I had not been the head of the family line, I would have chosen to remain single," revealing the days when he had to make unwanted choices under the family's traditions and expectations. He confessed, "That was the first shock in my life. I thought about dying or becoming a monk," delivering a deep resonance.
Lee Jeong-seop also directly revealed that he battled stomach cancer. "In 2015, during filming for a health program I had an endoscopy, and the producer in charge told me it was 'late-stage stomach cancer.' I felt like the world was collapsing," he said, "Fortunately, detailed tests showed it was early stage 1, and I underwent major surgery to remove three-quarters of my stomach." He said he was declared cured but added calmly, "Since the surgery I have suffered from dumping syndrome," and "I live each day praying not to die."
Dumping syndrome is a common complication after gastric resection surgery and is accompanied by various symptoms such as hypoglycemia, abdominal pain and dizziness.
With his characteristically dignified tone and calm demeanor, Lee Jeong-seop said, "I received much love for my acting, but the weight of life is still heavy," and added, "Now I am truly practicing embracing myself."
[Photo] Broadcast capture
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