[Sports Chosun Reporter Lee Ge-eun] Yoo Yeol, a singer and musical producer who had been effectively given a “death sentence” after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, has shared an update on his health recovery.
On the 15th, Yoo Yeol appeared in a video on the CBS channel ‘Let’s Make It New.’
Yoo Yeol had been battling pulmonary fibrosis for the past nine years. He explained, “About nine years ago, during a health check-up, they found an abnormal sign in my lungs. They said I needed to undergo further tests for pulmonary fibrosis. Then in 2019, I experienced a lot of stress, and suddenly my fever climbed to 40 degrees, leading me to be hospitalized with acute pneumonia.” He was subsequently diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis.
At the time, Yoo Yeol’s doctor was quite optimistic about his prognosis, so he wasn’t too worried. However, after catching the flu, his situation worsened with the onset of a pneumothorax. Yoo Yeol recalled, “With pulmonary fibrosis, they said I could die. I had to undergo a procedure to put a hole in my lung, but my body was too weak to tolerate anesthesia. Strangely, I was able to endure (the pain) without anesthesia.” Despite the procedure, his condition worsened when his attending physician left for a two-week overseas conference. The doctor had even asked Yoo Yeol’s wife if they wanted to proceed with life support, advising her to prepare herself mentally.
Fortunately, Yoo Yeol was eventually transferred to Seoul National University Hospital. His condition was so deteriorated that he weighed only 41kg, making further testing impossible. He had to regain his strength while awaiting a lung transplant, overcoming several critical moments along the way. During this time, Yoo Yeol faced another emotional blow when his mother passed away. He shared, “On the morning of my mother’s funeral, the hospital notified my wife that I was unconscious. My wife couldn’t attend the funeral and rushed back, and doctors were trying to wake me.” He eventually received a miracle donation of healthy lungs and underwent rehabilitation.
After being discharged on October 31 last year, Yoo Yeol reflected, “I actually wrote a will. Even after the surgery, I faced a dangerous moment due to arrhythmia. I secretly wrote a will, worried about leaving too many regrets if death came suddenly. I asked a professor to deliver it to my wife if anything happened. Later, that professor returned the will to me, saying, ‘I’m glad to give this back to you, not your wife.'”