Singer Yoo Yeol appeared on Kim Ju-ha's Day & Night and warmed hearts by sharing the recent news of the representative eardrum boyfriend who has returned as an icon of hope.
On the 24th, the ninth episode of MBN's Kim Ju-ha's Day & Night (shortened to Day & Night) recorded a nationwide high of 2.9% according to the ratings agency Nielsen Korea. Guest Yoo Yeol radiated charm and delivered an episode filled with warmth even in tears, with both emotion and laughter.
On the broadcast that day, Yoo Yeol appeared singing his debut song 'As you are now' with live vocal skills that remain unchanged, moving the audience. Announcing his comeback to broadcasting after seven years, Yoo Yeol sang to the piano accompaniment of Ji Seong-cheol, his 43-year friend who composed his debut song, and Ji Seong-cheol said 'As you are now' has been a filial hit that has provided pocket money every month without fail for 30 years. Yoo Yeol also recounted the time he formed a rivalry like Nam Jin versus Na Hoon-a with Lee Jeong-seok, who sang 'First snow is falling' in 1987, which piqued interest.
Yoo Yeol then recounted a story from his 13 years as the radio DJ of 'Yoo Yeol's Music Album,' which earned him the nickname 'morning lover,' describing how the program helped connect listeners to marriage, and recalled being delighted when the program was made into a film, calling it 'a family honor.' He then revealed that due to his exceptionally close relationship with his mother, he sometimes acted obliviously during his love story with his wife, who is 15 years younger, shocking the three MCs. Yoo Yeol, who had a long-distance relationship between Seoul and Busan, told an anecdote about one day saying 'I have a surprise gift' and taking his mother along without a word, leaving the three MCs stunned. He added that after marriage he moved his mother into the neighboring apartment and said, 'let's go greet her every morning,' and then joked about the early days of marriage saying, 'I wasn't human back then,' drawing laughter.
On the other hand, Yoo Yeol also confessed the story of a seven-year hiatus due to battling pulmonary fibrosis, bringing a sober mood to the set. In 2019, he was hospitalized after a fever rose to 40 degrees from pneumonia, and through tissue tests was diagnosed with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis of unknown cause. As the side effects of medication that slows progression caused continuous weight loss, Yoo Yeol dropped to 47–48 kg and lamented that after an internet video revealed his condition, fake news even circulated claiming he had died.
In fact, although Yoo Yeol continued activities such as musicals, singing, and DJing after first experiencing breathing difficulties, he decided to live in Jeju for a year after his wife warned him, 'If you don't sort out your work, I will sort you out.' Moreover, despite traveling around the country to try to improve his condition, his state worsened and he was hospitalized, revealing he was in critical condition with his weight dropping to 40 kg. He said that at that time his wife even told him, 'Prepare yourself. Discuss with the family whether to use life-sustaining treatment and let me know,' a message he described as a death sentence that shocked listeners.
Afterward, Yoo Yeol transferred hospitals to attempt a lung transplant, but the operation was canceled twice just before the transplant, and he said he eventually experienced delirium in a critical situation. He also said he learned of his mother's death while hospitalized and even lost consciousness on the day of the funeral, which sobered the MCs.
Yoo Yeol read aloud the will he had left to his wife in case of an unforeseen situation after surgery and wept, and the three MCs empathized and shed tears. Especially when Yoo Yeol expressed gratitude toward his wife, who always showed him only a bright side, saying, 'That person seems born to love me,' Kim Ju-ha, moved to the point of reddened eyes, suddenly snapped, 'It breaks my heart! There's a man like this!' which made everyone burst into laughter.
Yoo Yeol said his lung capacity is now within the normal range and his stamina continues to improve, and he explained the importance of organ donation, saying, 'I think organ donation is a noble form of sharing we can do.' He said he and his wife have pledged to donate their organs and left a final encouraging message for patients still fighting disease: 'No matter what happens, don't give up. Stay strong. Every day, with renewed strength, overcome that day,' leaving a deep impression.
The 10th episode of Kim Ju-ha's Day & Night will air on Saturday the 31st at 9:40 p.m.
[Photo] Provided by MBN.
[OSEN]