Actor Lee Jeong-ho Shares Update After Overcoming Cancer Battle
On the 3rd, actor Lee Jeong-ho appeared on the YouTube channel 'Geunhwang Olympics' to discuss his journey following a battle with cancer.
Having begun his career as a child actor and participated in over 200 projects, he revealed that he had halted his activities eight years ago after working on a daily drama.
He reflected on his past roles, saying,
“The characters I played often elevated the protagonists while I made sacrifices. I think I was seen as both pitiful yet approachable.”He also noted his experiences working alongside some of the top actors of his generation, including Song Hye-kyo, Lee Yo-won, and Sung Yu-ri, stating that he often felt overshadowed by them.
When asked if he earned a good income as a child actor, he explained,
“It depended on the era. There were strict regulations that limited how much we could be paid as child actors. I was never able to earn more than that.”
Regarding his decision to stop acting, he recounted,
“While receiving a health check, I was informed that something was wrong and that I needed further tests. They told me, ‘There’s a significant tumor in your pancreas. It’s serious.’ My mind just went blank.”He admitted to battling pancreatic cancer.
He shared an emotional moment, saying,
“At that time, our youngest daughter was born. My wife was in a postpartum care center. Receiving that call about my cancer diagnosis was overwhelming.”
Lee mentioned undergoing extensive tests over the course of a week, and upon inquiring about his survival chances, he was told they were only 20-30%. He recalled,
“They wouldn’t even look me in the eye. I pleaded for my life, thinking of my youngest daughter, and they suggested surgery.”
He underwent surgery to remove affected organs and was advised to undergo chemotherapy as a precautionary measure. He described the experience:
“I suffered from vomiting and hair loss, but thankfully I completed the treatment. Afterward, I had to continue working on shoots. Just as I finished one project, I found out during a check-up before a company dinner that the cancer had metastasized to my liver.”He reflected on how shocking that news was.
Fortunately, after four months of successful chemotherapy, he shared,
“I received a complete recovery diagnosis two years ago and have been actively teaching acting since then.”Lee Jeong-ho has since been dedicated to his craft, expressing gratitude for his health and renewed opportunity to pursue his passion.
Photo credit: YouTube channel 'Geunhwang Olympics'