In a heartfelt revelation, actor Jang Geun-suk shared for the first time that he had quietly battled thyroid cancer, keeping his diagnosis a secret even from his family. The emotional confession comes in the July 16 broadcast of MBC’s variety talk show “Radio Star”, where Jang appears alongside FT Island’s Lee Hong-ki, TXT’s Soobin, and entertainer Kim Shin-young.
Jang Geun-suk, returning to Korean variety after a long hiatus, expressed excitement about being on “Radio Star”, a program which he had long hoped to join. Then, he stunned viewers by revealing the emotional weight of his cancer diagnosis.
“I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and waited 10 months for surgery,” he said, adding, “I couldn’t even tell my family.” He explained that the long period of silence and uncertainty was one of the most difficult times of his life, before adding that surviving the illness reignited his passion for performance and made him want to stand in front of even more people.
Following his recovery, Jang Geun-suk has resumed activities in Japan, where he remains one of the most recognizable Hallyu stars. He spoke of busking, EDM shows, and switching between various music genres.
Surprisingly, Jang noted that his fanbase now spans up to age 70, joking, “A lot of my fans are as passionate as Gangnam moms from elite school districts.”
He also introduced his own analysis of the “Hallyu star hierarchy” in Japan, naming Bae Yong-joon, Park Bo-gum, and Chae Jong-hyeop as other beloved Korean actors, while reflecting on his own position in the wave.
Meanwhile, Jang Geun-suk, who is known for his bold fashion choices, addressed past media buzz over his airport outfits, stating confidently, “I’ve never relied on sponsorship. My style is mineI create it myself.” The segment also sparked laughter as he reminisced about some of his most iconic fashion moments.
Jang Geun-suk’s candid story, fashion talk, and reflections on fandom will air on MBC’s “Radio Star” at 10:30 PM KST on July 16.