Yoo Yeol will appear on the May 13 episode of tvN’s ‘You Quiz on the Block,’ where he will open up about his long battle with illness and the heartbreaking moments when two lung transplant surgeries fell through.
Diagnosed in 2019 with Pleuroparenchymal Fibroelastosis, a type of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, he fought the disease for about seven years.
According to Seoul National University Hospital, this condition is known as a rare interstitial pneumonia that causes fibrosis in the pleura and subpleural lung parenchyma of the upper lobes of both lungs.
During his struggle, his health deteriorated to the point where his weight dropped to 40kg, but he finally recovered after receiving a lung transplant from a brain-dead donor in 2024.
Yoo Yeol recalls, “The first one was canceled because the donated lung was not in good condition, and the second one was canceled due to an autopsy decision even after a donor was found.” He adds that at the time, his doctor told him, “I think you should start preparing yourself.”
“The day I was discharged, I looked out the window and the sight of people passing by with various expressions looked radiant,” he shares. He also reveals that he burst into tears in the studio after filming a special for ‘Documentary 3 Days,’ his first broadcast after recovery.
He is expected to express his overwhelming emotions, stating, “Being able to sing again is so moving” and “It is a beautiful thing.”
Previously, in January, Yoo Yeol appeared on MBN’s ‘Kim Ju-ha’s Day & Night,’ where he mentioned, “I couldn’t even get out of bed and experienced hallucinations due to delirium.”
In March, he was appointed as an ambassador for the Korea Organ Donation Agency (KODA), stating, “I am grateful to be able to live my life again,” and “I believe I can breathe this fresh air thanks to the practice of life-sharing by the donor, the bereaved family, and the medical staff.”
He added, “With the donor’s lungs breathing inside me, I will take the lead in letting many people know how precious and important life-sharing is through beautiful songs and a sincere voice.”
