When you see your favorite K-pop, Korean television, and film stars in the limelight, it's hard to imagine that they ever experience challenges. However, they're only human, and being famous unfortunately doesn't exclude them from sometimes suffering hardship.
In this article, you'll learn more about how some of these idols cope with medical conditions, illnesses, or other disabilities they have to live with every day.
Living With Handicaps in Korea
In Korea, a physical or mental disability often has a negative connotation. It's still relevant in current times, even for younger generations.
Hopefully, when a celebrity goes public about their handicap or medical challenges they deal with daily, a social shift will take place. It may influence the public's attitude at large and help add value to the lives of regular people who suffer a similar fate.
Another solution to lift this stigma would be to add funded public support programs, much like the disability support program (https://diamondlaw.ca/ontario-disability-support-program-odsp-lawyers) option in Canada.
Imagine how well this could work when a K-pop idol or other famous Korean person endorses it locally. It could encourage others to cope while juggling their well-being, their challenges, and life as it happens.
How Celebs Cope
In addition to challenges they need to deal with, celebs also operate at a hectic pace. Their demanding lifestyle with pressure, travel, being in the public eye, and performing takes its toll too.
Yoon Jong-shin
The singer, songwriter, and producer of several records, Yoon Jong-shin, has the debilitating and painful Crohn's disease. When he turned 50 last year, he decided to step down from some of his duties and embark on a new journey.
It's not a sign of weakness; instead, it's an excellent coping mechanism. It'll undoubtedly help him manage his condition and continue to do what he so loves in the entertainment industry.
Heo Sol-ji
Affectionately known as Solji, the Korean singer from the girl group EXID suffered from hyperthyroidism in 2016. This condition affected her thyroid; she took some time off and received professional medical treatment. In 2018, she underwent orbital decompression surgery and made a full recovery.
Jung Ji-hoon
Singer, actor, and music producer Rain, also known as Jung Ji-hoon, doesn't have a physical illness, but rather a severe phobia. The artist experiences claustrophobia, yet despite this, he undertook several world tours and enjoyed a successful career.
This fear makes it very difficult for him to be in small or confined spaces like elevators or small rooms with no windows and closed doors. It can lead to anxiety and panic attacks, and even tight-fitting clothing or crowded areas can cause stress.
He doesn't let it get him down and manages to carry on regardless of being presented with these situations almost daily.
Krystal Jung
The professional singer Chrystal Soo Jung, also known as Krystal, has been living with anemia since a young age. It's an illness caused due to the absence of enough healthy red blood cells to transport or distribute oxygen through her body.
She fainted on stage during concerts in 2010 and 2014. She took some time out to rest and recuperate. It's reported that she gets a warning sign of feeling dizzy or tired, which reminds her to slow down.
Zico
Rapper Zico has asthma and previously underwent heart surgery. Despite these challenges, he's an energetic artist who always gives his audiences a vibrant performance.
He's a great example of how you can still give your best, despite challenges.
Key Takeaways
Being a famous artist or performer isn't always all glitz and glamour. Like ordinary people, they have their issues to deal with, they get ill, and they suffer from conditions beyond their control. How they manage it is crucial, and taking a break from their demanding schedules is often the best way to deal with it.
Going public and speaking out about their health and well-being matters may help pave the way to show us all how to be more empathic and supportive of others.
