Ahead of his solo release, a famous 2nd Gen male idol recalled his battle with a rare cancer Nam Woo Hyun of 2nd gen boy group INFINITE is currently gearing up for the release of his solo regular album on November 28, after 7 years of debut.

However, Nam Woo Hyun recently shared the news of him being diagnosed with a rare cancer and undergoing surgery.

In particular, Nam Woo Hyun planned to release the B-side track “Kiss me if you love me” from this album as a single for his solo activities. However, during the process of preparing for the new song, he was diagnosed with GIST (gastrointestinal stromal tumor), a rare cancer, leading to a delay in his comeback by about 6 months.

According to Asan Medical Center in Seoul, GIST is a rare cancer that occurs in the muscles of the gastrointestinal tract from the esophagus to the anus, unlike common cancers that form on the mucous membrane.

It is a rare disease occurring at a rate of 1-2 cases per 100,000 people. Two years ago, Nam Woo Hyun found a small tumor during a health checkup, and upon hearing from medical professionals that this tumor could grow up to 15 cm if left untreated, he decided to undergo surgery.

According to Nam Woo-hyun, the surgery lasted about 10 hours. After surgery, he often felt as if he couldn’t breathe, and eating was difficult. However, thanks to the support of parents, company, and members, the male idol managed to overcome adversities. 

Meanwhile, Nam Woo-hyun made a comeback as a member of INFINITE at the end of July. In August, he performed on the concert stage.

This means that the male idol has been enduring and participating in activities for about three months since the surgery due to cancer. Regarding the reason for not revealing his illness to fans, Nam Woo Hyun explained, “Actually, I was reluctant to tell fans or the public about this painful story. I feel sad when I hear about others being in pain. So, even when I was promoting the INFINITE’s album in July, I kept it to myself.”

According to the male idol, the release of INFINITE’s album and the concert were almost delayed because of him, as other members were worried about Woo-hyun’s health. However, despite the doctor saying it would be nice for the male idol to take a break, he thought it would be better to endure the pain on stage.

“People around me gave me a lot of courage, so I was able to stand up again. Recovery is relatively fast, and I am exercising regularly. I had a follow-up examination recently, and the wounds healed well”, Woo-hyun also said.

Finally, Nam Woo Hyun expressed, “Now, fans are like ‘family’ to me. Hasn’t it been 13 years since I debuted with INFINITE? When I see fans who come to fan meetings, there are those who were students and have become office workers, and there are also fans who have become mothers of families. Seeing this makes me feel like we’ve grown together. It’s not just once or twice that I get emotional.”

Meanwhile, Nam Woo Hyun’s solo album “WHITREE”, which contains a total of 11 songs, will be released on various music sites at 6 p.m (KST) on November 28.

Nam Woo Hyun participated in the lyrics and composition of five songs, including the title track.

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Lee Kyung Gyu's star-making influence goes beyond Kang Ho Dong, as Hong Jin Kyung shares how he helped her kickstart her career.

On the April 24 episode of KBS 2TV’s Problem Child in House, legendary comedian Lee Kyung Gyu appeared as a guest—and a touching story from the past was revealed.

Hong Jin Kyung surprised everyone when she said, “He’s the teacher for all of us. Personally, he’s the one who helped me debut.” She even pinned a carnation flower on his chest to show her gratitude.

Lee Kyung Gyu smiled and said, “I still remember when Hong Jin Kyung walked up the stairs onto the stage for the first time.”

Hong Jin Kyung then shared her journey to becoming a star. “I joined a supermodel contest, but only the top 3 winners were noticed in broadcasting. I got a special prize, so I had no chance to be on TV."

She continued, "At first, I was just a backup for a show. But somehow, I became a regular the next week. I never knew why."

She added, "I thought the PD gave me a shot. But then one day, I randomly met Kyung Gyu sunbae, and he told me it was actually him who recommended me.”

Kim Sook asked with a smile, “So Kyung Gyu sunbae said nice things about you to the PD?”

Lee Kyung Gyu playfully replied, “Don’t say it in such a childish way,” making everyone laugh.

He then explained more seriously, “The show was Scoop TV Entertainment, and I was pretty much the main MC. When Jin Kyung showed up, I saw her determination and passion."

He added, "While others didn’t seem serious, she really stood out. I told the PD, ‘She seems unique. Why not keep her on the show?’”

Kim Jong Kook chimed in, “So if the main MC said that, doesn’t that mean you basically got her in?”

That made Lee Kyung Gyu happy. He grinned and replied, “Exactly! You speak well. Be like him!”

He added, “After that, Jin Kyung’s career took off. She started doing shows with Lee Young Ja and just kept going.”

Fans are now calling Lee Kyung Gyu not only a top MC, but also a quiet star-maker behind the scenes!

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