Singer Kim Jong Kook may have pushed himself too hard with back-to-back schedules recently. News of his ongoing battle with illness raised concerns.
Earlier, Kim Jong Kook's changed appearance was spotted in the opening of the SBS variety show Running Man, drawing attention. That day Kim Jong Kook appeared supported by Haha, and upon seeing this Jee Seokjin reported, "Jong Kook isn't feeling well." Kim Jong Kook said, "I contracted a disease I've never even heard of in my life," and explained that an abnormality in the cochlea caused problems with his sense of balance, prompting concern. Jee Seokjin also added, "It seems there's a slight problem with his sense of balance."
Yu Jae-seok said, "Even when we tell him to rest because he's not well, he won't stop," noting his sense of responsibility, and Kim Jong Kook added, "When I told my mother I wasn't feeling well, she said, 'Shouldn't you still go to the shoot?' ", which elicited laughter.
In a later video on the YouTube channel Jim Jong Kook, a more specific health condition was revealed. Kim Jong Kook said he was diagnosed with vestibular neuritis and confessed, "I was in such poor condition that even speaking like this now wasn't easy."
Vestibular neuritis is a condition in which inflammation occurs in the nerve connecting the vestibular apparatus and the brain, and it is known to be accompanied by severe dizziness, nausea and vomiting. Kim Jong Kook recalled, "As my sense of balance collapsed, it felt like the world was spinning," and said, "For two days I couldn't eat anything and it was even difficult to drink water."
Regarding the cause of onset, he explained, "The symptoms suddenly appeared after I spent a month working busily, traveling among four countries." He added, "I'm still not fully recovered, so driving is difficult and my manager is driving instead," prompting concern.
Despite not being fully recovered, Kim Jong Kook, who continues to work, said, "Even if I'm dizzy and it's hard, I have to keep moving," and explained, "Because the vestibular system has to regain balance on its own, continuing activities helps recovery." He added, "There was a problem with the left vestibular organ, so the right side is trying to compensate," and said, "They say adapting by moving speeds up recovery," revealing a strong will to continue activities.
Kim Jong Kook said, "I was told it should improve in about a week," but even though he hasn't fully recovered, his participation in filming has earned both concern and support from fans<
[photo] "YouTube, Running Man, OSEN DB"
[OSEN]