Actor Chae Jong Hyeop delivered meaningful news of a donation.
On the 7th, the non-profit Korea Epilepsy Association said, "Actor Chae Jong Hyeop donated 50 million won, asking that it be used for medical expenses and awareness improvement projects for epilepsy patients who are struggling financially."
Chae Jong Hyeop said, "I know well the pain of people with epilepsy, so I hope this can be of even a little help," and "This year I hope my small contribution can be of some strength to those children and to those who worry about them," explaining the reason for the donation.
Epilepsy is a disorder that occurs when there is an abnormality in the electrical signals exchanged by nerve cells in our brain for information transmission. The most prominent symptom is seizures. Seizure symptoms last about 1 to 2 minutes and disappear within 5 minutes at the longest. Epilepsy is a chronic disease like hypertension and diabetes, and 70%–80% of patients can be managed with medication.
In fact, Chae Jong Hyeop once confessed that he received an exemption from military service due to epilepsy. In a post-2023 drama interview with reporters, he admitted that the reason for his military exemption was "epilepsy."
Chae Jong Hyeop said he studied abroad in South Africa in his teens and experienced epilepsy symptoms there. There were times when his seizures were so severe that he collapsed, and it is known that he also fainted when taking entrance exams in Korea.
When Chae Jong Hyeop underwent a physical examination in Korea, he was initially classified as a "4th-class supplementary service," but after evaluation for epilepsy he was reclassified as a "5th-class wartime labor service." The 5th-class wartime labor service cannot perform active duty and is called up as a laborer in wartime.
Chae Jong Hyeop is even currently battling the disease. He hoped to enlist after a full recovery, but after a re-examination EEG he said he is still taking medication. Because he has experienced the same illness, this donation carries even greater significance.
Kim Heung-dong, chairman of the Korea Epilepsy Association and a pediatrician at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, said, "Understanding the difficulties faced by epilepsy patients and their families and providing help is a great source of strength and encouragement," and noted, "It is important for people with epilepsy themselves to step forward and overcome the negative perceptions and prejudices that society holds."
Meanwhile, Chae Jong Hyeop made his debut in a 2016 web drama and became known through SBS's "Stove League." Recently, he received great love in Japan through the Japanese drama "Eye Love You," and he is scheduled to meet viewers in his next work, MBC's new Friday-Saturday drama "In Your Radiant Season."
[Photo] OSEN DB
[OSEN]