FTISLAND’s Lee Hong Ki Reveals 20-Year Battle With Rare Disease on “My Little Old Boy”
During the broadcast of the June 15 episode of SBS’s My Little Old Boy , FTISLAND’s Lee Hong Ki was shown visiting the hospital, immediately setting a somber tone.
The MCs expressed concern, asking what was wrong, as the mood turned serious.
His doctor, clearly familiar with Lee’s case, greeted him with, “Is it acting up again?” To which Lee replied, “I’ve been feeling off lately. There’s a familiar sensation near my armpit, so I came for a checkup, and I want to get my hip looked at too.”
Lee revealed he suffers from hidradenitis suppurativa, a chronic and rare skin condition that causes painful, pus-filled lumps in areas like the armpits and buttocks. These boils recur frequently, often requiring repeated surgeries and leaving behind scars. The condition brings both physical pain and emotional stress.
Speaking candidly, Lee shared, “I’ve been dealing with this for nearly two decades. I’ve had surgery about eight times in total.” He added that he developed a complex over the scars on his hip, which made him avoid public baths during his youth.
“Now that it’s festival season and I have a lot of stage performances coming up, I came to make sure everything’s in check,” he explained, showing his continued commitment to health despite his busy schedule.
Though known for his bright, cheerful personality on screen, Lee’s heartfelt confession shed light on a private battle he’s been fighting for most of his life. His story not only raised awareness about a little-known condition but also reminded viewers of the importance of health and resilience.
