KIM WOO BIN OPENS UP ABOUT BEING TOLD HE HAD SIX MONTHS TO LIVE DUE TO CANCER

In the latest episode of comedian Shin Dong Yup’s YouTube show, ‘Zzanbro’, actor Kim Woo Bin opened up about his harrowing journey through cancer while promoting his new K-Movie, ‘Officer Black Belt’, now streaming on Netflix. As he relaxed with a glass of non-alcoholic beer, Kim reflected on the life-changing diagnosis he received in 2017: nasopharyngeal cancer. Despite being declared cancer-free in 2019 and making a successful return to the film industry in July 2022 with ‘Alien+In’, the path to recovery was anything but easy.

Shin Dong Yup, who has personal experience with cancer through his mother’s battle, was visibly moved by Kim’s story. Kim shared candidly that the diagnosis was initially terrifying, particularly because his doctor had delivered the grim news in a manner reminiscent of dramatic K-Dramas, stating, “In the worst-case scenario, you would have about six months”, Kim admitted, “I was shocked and scared at first. I wanted it to be a dream, you know? But not once did I ever wonder, ‘What if I don’t make it?’ Instead, I thought of it as an opportunity”.

Kim’s optimistic mindset played a crucial role in his battle. According to Koreaboo, he shared, “You know this, hyung, but I’m an optimistic person. I try to see the positive in everything." Initially, he struggled to view his diagnosis as a blessing, but he eventually saw it as a chance to pause and reflect - a rare opportunity given his hectic career. “Of course, I didn’t immediately look at it as an opportunity. But while focusing on treatment and recovery, I was able to adjust the way I looked at it. For over a decade, ever since I debuted, I had been so busy and didn’t get a chance to take any real breaks. So, I thought maybe this was a chance given by the heavens to pause, reflect, and spend time with my family”.

Kim also credited the overwhelming support from his fans and the numerous prayers he received as vital to his recovery. “I spent a lot of time with people I love. The treatment itself… Yes, it was hard, but it is hard for everyone. I received a huge amount of support and encouragement from people simply because they knew me. So many prayers, too. And I truly believe that gave me the strength to beat cancer”, he said. He added that the progress he made during treatment even surprised his doctors, “I was making such good progress that it even surprised the doctors. I was making visible improvements. And I know that it was all thanks to the support and prayers that I recovered so quickly”.

Now, Kim views it as his ‘personal mission’ to spread the same positivity and hope that he received. “I always think about the support that I received. And I want to pass it on to more people. So, before going to bed, I started praying for more families to experience miracles. It has become like a personal mission for me… To remember what I received and to give it back to others”, he concluded.

READ ALSO: Jung Hae In reveals ‘D.P.’ filming left him traumatically haunted